The day finally arrived! Justin and I woke up bright and early to get to Lethbridge around 7:30 to begin the induction. Justin LOVES inductions. And I have to agree...there are some perks to them. All scheduled and easy to plan around. You can kind of get a good nights rest the night before, and that's where the perks end. I dislike being overdue and how long it takes to get started and the force of it all. They are MAKING me have my baby. Evicting him. Forcing him out. I was more than ready though, but just not ready for the act of getting him out! I've only had an epidural with Kate and Kara's birth, and I am so glad I had it because I had to wait over an hour for the doctor until I had to push! No way could I wait that long without one! And since I know I have done it without an epidural and that I feel awesome right after, I prefer to not have one, but I also know that IT HURTS LIKE CRAZY, especially in transition from 7-10 cm and when the baby is crowning! Plus I watched 2 seasons of "Call the Midwife" which I LOVE! But maybe not the smartest thing to watch while 39 weeks pregnant. :) A little too realistic. And Loud. I was really nervous for labor and have gotten more and more nervous with each baby birth! I know exactly what I am getting myself into, what can go wrong, and just how much work it is! I even did scripture study on "deliverance" and "strength" and "enduring" found many helpful scriptures. My "mantra" to get me through this delivery was this awesome phrase in this awesome scripture that I can't remember or find now and I am so bummed about it! I had been looking up strength, endure, help...you know all of those words in the topical guide because I was a bit nervous about pushing this baby out and if I could do it. Especially because I have been so wiped and so sick up to this point. It was something about strength in Christ or through Christ or something. Anyway, it reminded me that I can do hard things and Heavenly Father wants me to have babies and will be with me and give me the strength I need when I need it. This beautiful sunrise gave me hope for the day. All would be well. My excitement overtook my nerves for a few moments! :) A new day that would be the start to a new addition in our lives!
One last shot of Mt. Everett before we forced him out! I was excited to have him, and excited to have a normal sized belly again, but I always get a little sad to say goodbye to my pregnancy belly. I LOVE feeling the baby move and thinking about what they look like and who they are. They are my buddy. Literally attached at the hip. Kinda. Who are we kidding though. Newborns are still basically constantly attached as well. Just at a different body part. :) That's when the real work begins! And we have 5 kids now, so saying goodbye to this belly is getting harder because I know it could be our last. Probably not, but you never know! Life is pretty busy! I am pretty wiped! Just knowing that I am closer to the end of this phase of my life makes me a little sad.
So now the birth story...I don't remember much and it was pretty boring...until all of a sudden it wasn't and it was over! I'll try and remember the details! (ANOTHER REASON NOT TO WAIT ALMOST 5 MONTHS TO POST). Justin and I arrived about 7:45 to start the gel and such. The plan was for Mom and Dad to wait for the kids to be out of school and then head up. They had a half day and we thought this would be perfect timing. Addie was induced the same way and born at 2:46 I think? So anyway, if mom made it she could come in, if not...she see the baby after he was born. I was okay with this because I am more of a private laborer. I don't like to be center of attention, especially when I feel nervous or vulnerable. I also like it quiet. No expectations. No advice. No trying to please anyone...just keep focused on relaxing and getting this baby out. Maybe if I had an epidural I'd be different? But I could tell my mom wanted to come so bad and she didn't want to miss it and deep down I didn't want her to miss it either. So we told her to come up whenever she wanted, but it wasn't going to be before noon. She came up basically right away...
...and sat in her corner and finished Everett's blanket like a good Grandma. :) I think she got a bit bored waiting, but things really weren't moving fast. I was at a 3 when I went in. They did the gel and told me to walk. Pretty much it just burned (it IS a chemical reaction going on down there...ouch) and then made me feel crampy. We walked. And walked. And walked. And walked. Just like pioneer children. ;) I was so bored and honestly that hospital is horrible for laboring women! Boring halls and not many of them. Plus people know exactly what you are trying to do and I don't like people looking at me! Like I said. And they said I couldn't go outside? It was a beautiful day! It felt like I was wasting the last days of summer being cooped up in a hospital! We went outside. For 15 seconds. Then we both felt guilty about the "What ifs" like they needed to call us because our doctor was back or something. We are both goody goodies. :) The other fun/annoying thing was Justin knew and saw so many people! He kept talking to his old preceptors and teachers and I just rocked back and forth. One we talked to about epidurals because I had questions and just had to have answers. And she kinda helped me find my answer and my strength again. :) So that was a good conversation. Contractions weren't hard, but I wanted them to be so we could be moving along. And I didn't want to be talking to random people. We are here to have a baby. Let's get this job done. Check! So 3 hours go by and they check me...you are a 4. Big whoop. That's it? Oh well, it was a little progress. They choose to break my water at about 12:45. I think? Time is ticking. I had a baby at 2:45 last time but I was thinking that wasn't happening this time. With Addie it was 3 hrs after they broke my water she was born. Anyway, we went and walked again. This time just down one horrible hallway. And I started having pretty uncomfortable contractions! YAY! Like ones I had to stop, breath through while hanging on to Justin kind. Finally! People on and off the elevators...no biggie...just dilating. Please...keep walking...away from me. A couple hours go by and I was sick of standing while laboring and sick of walking down that dumb hallway. So we went back to the room to try the ball. Did that for a while and then she wanted to check me. It had been 3 hours. A definitely more uncomfortable 3 hrs than the first 3. I thought for sure I'd be like at least a 6?..."Uh, still a 4...maybe a 5? We will check you in an hour. If you aren't dilating we will start the drip." The doctor said she had to take her son to Hockey but to call if anything started happening. WHAT?!!!!!!!! I'm pretty sure I said that out loud. I was angry! They were trying to calm me down and I just said how much my contractions were hurting and how much walking and stopping we did for 3 hours! I HAD to be more than a 4! And my doctor was giving up on me? Leaving? Well, I got down to business. Contractions seemed like they were getting too hard to only be at a 4. And it made me really doubt myself and my strength. If I am only a 4 and it's going to be another few hours I need an epidural pronto. I got on the bed, lay on my side and gripped my pillow and the guardrail while Justin breathed with me and rubbed my back. I think my mom helped rub too. Sometimes she would tell me random Facebook info or read the encouraging, excited texts from my siblings or Justin's siblings. I didn't want to hear it! I had a job to do and fast! My body was giving me enough activity and stimulation...I couldn't handle any more! ;) I'm a little crazy. I'm pretty sure I yelled out once...or twice..."I don't care!" or a very sarcastic "Awesome." So now I must apologize Mom. :) Sorry I am crazy. I still love you. I was just concentrating on moving a cantaloupe through a toilet paper roll. Not an easy task. And I was going to show that doctor! She wasn't taking her son to hockey at 4 pm. Anyway, no more than 10 minutes later I really felt like I had to use the restroom...nurse said let me check first, then you can go. And she didn't say a word to me but started prepping a bunch of stuff and asked another nurse to page the doctor. So I asked "what does this mean?" a tiny bit nervous like something was wrong. "It means you are ready to push. Complete." YES!!!! No sweeter words were ever spoken. I WAS as close as I thought and I'm NOT a huge wimp. The bummer thing was I had to wait for my doctor to get back. Breathing through contractions and not pushing when all your body wants to do is push is not easy! But I was loopy and just kept saying "This is so easy, this is so easy..." trying to trick my body to think it was. Luckily she hadn't gotten very far. I pushed a couple times, almost lost in when he was crowning (MAN that burns/hurts so bad!! Big headed boy!) and then a minute later he was out! Huge relief! And no tearing!!! Best news ever!
Everett Jack Low
3:43 pm 9 lbs 21 1/4"
.JPG)
If that's not the face of relief and joy I don't know what is!? I did it!
.JPG)
He came out very clean and starting to get wrinkly! Definitely done.
.JPG)
.JPG)
Everett? Is it bright out here? Ha ha! Such a squishy face!
.JPG)
.JPG)
They plopped him right on my chest and I honestly didn't see what he really looked like for about 5 minutes. All I knew is that he was REALLY bald and had really big hands! And it wasn't what I expected to see. He looked different than out other babies. Plus Addie had so much hair, and I had bad heartburn this time, so I thought he'd have some hair! but no...nothing! Well, nothing but deliciously soft peach fuzz (after he was bathed!) Maybe my heartburn was so bad that it burned all of his hair off this time!
He was so happy to be here! 
I DID IT! Phewf.
Yeah, I should have warned you! I am interested in the placentas! It's amazing! I have a picture of each kids placenta. That's why I'm a nurse I guess. I just like to see their little house for the last 9 months!
His cord was SO long! And the doctor asked me if I ever had a bleeding episode with him because there was evidence of one in the placenta. I did spot a tiny bit when I was at a girls weekend up in Calgary in June I think? Weird they can tell stuff from that nasty blob. Scared me, but all was well.
Okay I admit. This one is pretty gross.
My big boy. So glad we didn't let him cook any longer and get any bigger! Addie is my biggest still she had 4 oz on him.
Me with the nurse (that I can't remember her name, but she knew Justin from rotations of course. And my doctor, Dr. Godwin. Really, I had him at 3:43 so she could have still gotten her boy to hockey by 4:00. :)
I apologized to her. I know what the life of an on call doctor feels like and it really stinks sometimes. No convenience!
Look how clean he is. :) No cheesy vernix. And his head was very round, molded/ridged.
And that sweet face!
Justin was so excited to have another boy!! 
Mer Mer meeting Mr. Everett.
This was my favorite part right after. Just getting to know him. And these weren't staged. Even better! We were just in the moment enjoying our new baby boy and my mom started taking pictures. He had a little pokey nose, just like in his ultrasound picture. :) It's so fun reliving this, after the fact. During pregnancy I just wonder what the story would be, and now I am just telling it. All lived and known.
Thanks to mom for being there to capture this memory especially. Oh that sweet new little face looking right up at me!
Aw...a momma's boy already. So, so warm and cuddly.
Pretty blotchy here, but he was born with a few birth marks...the red spot under/in his right nostril and an angels kiss on his forehead and stork bite on the back of his neck. He also had so much extra loose skin on his neck and head. Looked like a shar-pei dog if you squeezed it all together!
I love this picture. so fresh and new. And pouty. He went through a lot and quick! When it was time it all happened so fast!
After everyone left to arrange the postpartum room (hallelujah there was a private room open!! Shared postpartum rooms? So wrong!) it was just me and Everett and I remember taking this selfie because I was so happy and felt complete and 100% satisfied with life and myself. I did it!
And I loved all of his little creases! look at that shoulder/arm/neck area. Skin rolls waiting to be filled.
His toes are out of this world long...like daddy. Look at that pinky toe?! Finger toes! And he got my huge space and extra large big toe. Lucky guy got the best of both of us! Ha!
Once I was in my room dad brought the kids up. Perfect timing! He gets worlds best grandpa that day! He got them all to and from school (it was a half-day) and even gave Addie a nap! He fed them and clothed them. He even had Addie wear a pair of tights under her leggings because he thought she would be cold. :) Pretty cute Papa. He must be from California because we were still having great "summer" weather! Look at them all so excited. :)
Funny how when the siblings hold the new baby they look so much bigger and grown up and that baby looks even tinier! He was 9 lbs! That's a big baby. But he looks so little.
Anothyer favorite memory was helping Addie discover this was our baby. It was out now!
Babies bring True Joy.
WE HAVE 5 KIDS?! That's a lot! So weird, and so great. I always wanted a big family and it suddenly feels BIG now! How'd it happen so quick?!
The kids hadn't eaten dinner yet and were about to go to McDonald's to celebrate, but Addie must have been starving because she ate most of my dinner and drank my milk!
.JPG)
Papa and Mer Mer took them to McDonalds and bought their "Christmas Presents" for them afterward. :) Christmas in September. Gotta love it. Those are some LARGE stuffed animals. Funny thing is we saw them at the gift shop and in the hospital while I was trying to get labor going. We both commented on how the girls would swoon for those!
Thank you Mom and Dad for all your help at home and in hospital! Sure wish you lived closer!
Then they all left to go eat and it was just Everett and me again. Having another baby is so emotional...all over the board for me. Weird to add another baby in, but so exciting and they are so cute. I feel really vulnerable all of a sudden too and sometimes incapable like "I'm supposed to raise him now? You are letting me take him home?" First few weeks are always an adjustment and I feel like it takes months to really get in the new groove. Anyway, I had a hard night with him because I was nervous and he was so mucousy because he came out so fast! They are very 'hands off' at this hospital and don't do much at all. I was wishing they would have suctioned him out because he had so much junk and was basically choking all night, so I was afraid to sleep. I also wish Canada believed in nurseries!!! :) I love my baby, but you work so hard all day and are so tired, but can't sleep at all because you are worried your baby will need you! I was so wishing I could send him out to a nursery just for 3 hrs. Some sleep is better than no sleep! But instead I just held him or looked at his chubby face all night.
I don't know why this picture wouldn't flip around, but I had to get the cute cuddling picture of MerMer and Everett. Mom was so asleep and snoring that even when Everett was with her I was worried about him there too. And he was such a still baby. And so pale! It made me nervous! Mom said the same thing. We had to watch him carefully to make sure he was breathing. Seriously so paranoid, I know!
I feel like this guy has a few different looks. My sister Katie kept asking what does he look like? Because all of his pictures would show a different look. He looks a lot different than my other babies too I think. One thing we learned after his bath was that this baby is the softest baby on the block!
We all survived! :) Thanks mom for sleeping over with me! And thanks to Dad and Justin for staying with the kiddos!
Love that sweet face!
Mom and Dad had to leave that morning. :( I was sad, but they had to leave to get to Cody's baby's blessing in Spokane. We just hung out cuddling Everett until it was time for them to go.
#5!
They left. I cried. Then 10 minutes after they left Dad came back and brought me some flowers...Gerbera daisies! My favorites! Thanks for loving me and making me feel special. And no thanks for leaving hours after baby came! I know you had to and always knew that was what had to happen, but I still didn't like it!
After having a newborn I love to do nothing but hold them. All. Day. Long. Newborns are the best cuddlers. There is NOTHING like holding a fresh newbie all balled up on your chest and falling asleep.
I have so many pictures but I just can't pick which ones! He is all grown up no (almost 5 months!) and seeing all of these tiny pictures makes me realize just how fast time flies!
I have a such a good man. He is such a good daddy and a good provider and a great friend. He was so comforting to me when my parents left and patiently reassured me that we could do this and all would be well. He held him for a while so I could get some kind of sleep. I was EXHAUSTED. I didn't get much, but I got some while they went out to the waiting room and watched football together. Justin is so excited to have another boy. It's adorable.
Just look at that velveteen hair. Peach fuzz. Oh my goodness. He was seriously the softest baby ever created. His first nickname from me was Fuzz Head.
Finally time to go! It was only 24 hrs but seemed like forever! We were anxious to get home to our own home and kids. Especially since Brian and Cynthia had Richard and Leslie and their 4 boys there AND our 4 other kids!
Love the tongue curl. :) And the boxing gloves. He was clawing at his face like crazy.
I just loved sitting in the back seat and staring at him. Touching his soft hands...LONG fingers. Chubby cheeks. That brow crease over his nose. What a sweetheart.
The kids and Mer Mer made this cute sign for Everett. It was so cute of them! Lucky little boy to have them for siblings!
(This picture was taken days later...after the freak snow storm. WHAT?! Depressing!)
Love Addie here with her new baby doll from MerMer. :) She is such a little mommy with him. SO good with him and attentive to his needs. She'll get me whatever I need!
.JPG)
I love everything about this picture. Big cheeks, round soft fuzzy head, crossed eyes... :) Fresh from heaven and scoping it all out.
I will forever be glad I took this picture to remember his softness by. He was seriously the velvety-est peach fuzziest baby I have ever pet. :) Look at that cheek. I rub his head all day long. And his abundance of head skin makes it even more fun. The nape of his neck too. He is such a soft sweetheart!!! And he is all mine!
 Mom and Dad sent this from their drive to Spokane that night! They found his sign! Meant to be. :) Welcome to our family Everett Jack! We are blessed to have you! |
