Thursday, July 2, 2009

Introducing...Cash Ryan Patterson!

On June 23rd at 3PM, my water broke while I was on the table at my doctor's office. He sent us straight to the hospital. I was completely shocked because I was only dialated to a 1.5. And Casey was still covered in sand from that morning's beach practice. We ran home to shower and grab our hospital bags that had been packed for over two weeks. We got to the hospital at 3:45PM and I was hooked up to the monitors by 4PM. I wasn't feeling my contractions yet, but they were there on the machine. At 5PM, they started me on pitocin to speed along the labor process. I started feeling the contractions at 6PM. By 8PM, they were strong enough that I had to really breathe through them. Around 11PM, Casey fell asleep. Meanwhile I am still laboring and oh yeah, starving! They wouldn't let me eat anything except ice chips and popsicles. By this time the pitocin is really making the contractions stronger. But I was still trying to walk it off. Around 12AM, the breathing isn't helping and I'm on the birthing ball doing everything possible to get through the contractions. They were about 50 seconds long and one minute apart. I thought for sure that it was getting close. I had the nurse come check to see if I was further along and I was only at a 2.5! I couldn't believe it. I thought the end was in sight. At 1AM, I was crying through my contractions and Casey woke up. We called the nurse in and I decided that an epidural was going to need to take place ASAP. By 2AM, I was numb, pain free, and delirious. We both fell asleep hoping that we would have this baby by the time we woke up the next morning. At 4AM, the baby's heart rate started dropping. At 5AM, they took me off pitocin to help the baby's heart rate. By 6AM, I was dialated to a 6! Without pitocin! Around 7AM, my epidural started wearing off. Two pumps of epidural boost later, I was all numb again. At 10AM, I was dialated to a 10. The nurse had me do a couple of pushes to see if I was close. After the second push, the baby was crowning so she told me to stop pushing and she called my doctor. By 10:45AM, I was having a hard time not pushing because my epidural was wearing off and I was feeling a lot of pressure to push. The doctor arrived. At 11:02AM, after 5 pushes, we finally met our son.

Cash Ryan Patterson
Born June 24, 2009 at 11:02AM

7 lbs 15 oz
21.5 inches long

As soon as he came out of me, the doctor placed him on my chest. It was love at first sight. I watched with tears in my eyes as he took his first cry in my arms. Casey and I looked at each other and cried with joy, relief, fear, and excitement. Is this really happening? Then Casey cut his umbilical cord as I cradled him. Cash was swept away to be cleaned, weighed, measured, and checked. Then he was brought back for our "golden hour". He was placed on my chest, skin to skin, and everyone disappeared for an hour while Casey and I just held him and gazed at him. What an incredible experience. Worth the wait. Worth every minute of those 40 weeks. Worth every ounce of nausea and vomiting. Worth the 40 pounds I packed on. Cash was worth everything and more. Casey and I are in love. We can't stop staring at him. He's so beautiful. He's perfect. He's ours.
And now we are three.

21 comments:

RayRay said...

YAAAY!!! Lex! I am so happy for you. Sorry that the labor thing seemed a little long and difficult, but he is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! (Just like we always knew you and Casey would make super model babies...) You have not disappointed. love you.

Shel said...

Congrats Lex! I loved reading your story, I could just hear you saying everything and couldn't help but laugh. SO excited for you guys, hopefully I'll get to meet the little guy someday, such a cutie! We could create an awesome men's VB team with these big boys we're all having!

Trent and Kim said...

Yes, pictures!!! I am crying right now, I am so happy for you guys and I love little Cash so much already. You look amazingly beautiful. Gorgeous family. I got emotional reading the story, I'm so glad I got to talk to you today. I love you guys!

Scotty and Chels said...

Lexi, this made me cry! What a long labor! Thanks for sharing your experience. I get more freaked out each day but I guess it's all worth it in the end. Cash is SOOO adorable. You guys are an amazingly cute family!

mj said...

AWWE!! That baby is os pretty. Congratulations. Also he shares a birthday with my husband. SO that's extra special.

diana said...

What sweet words... congratulations. He is beautiful. I am so happy for you. XOXO

AMY said...

He is so perfect! What a handsome baby!! Your story was so cute- I just loved reading it. I can't wait to meet him!

Lindsey said...

CONGRATS!! What an absolutely gorgeous newborn! Enjoy every second with him!

Christi Pobst said...

He Looks perfect! We are so happy for you guys! Congrats and let me know if there is anything you need!

Jenn said...

First of all, I'm proud of you for updating your blog. Now I don't have to nag you. Second of all, he is the most beautiful baby ever! I love him. And you are a rockstar, you don't even look like you just had sixteen hours of labor. Thanks for calling me today, and give Cash lots of kisses from his Aunt Jenn! Love you guys!

Ryan and Bethany said...

Congrats to you guys, that is a great story. You will both be great parents. We can't wait for out little one to come in Sept...
Best wishes!

Lauren said...

great story... great pictures! I'm soooooo happy for you guys I can't even tell you. I can't wait to meet him and hold him. You guys all look wonderful... especially you my dear. I LOVE you Lex and I'm so proud of you! I can't wait to talk to you. He's perfect!!! xoxo

Zach and Cecily said...

Lex!! You are a mom!!! He is one the most beautiful little boys I have ever seen. I cannot wait to meet him - I will be in California in two weeks and I will for sure hand deliver his present. Congratulations!! Loves!

Richelle said...

yaaaaay! he's here! i am so excited to meet cash and am really happy for you and casey. he is a really pretty baby. i need to come check him out soon...

Beverly J. said...

SINCERE congratulations to ALL THREE of you! Cash certainly is a beautiful (we mean handsome) young man and very lucky to have such great parents and a wonderful Grandpa Phil.

Love,

Uncle Jack and Beverly

Linds Forrest said...

CONGRATS!!! That is a crazy long labor, but glad it turned out well. He is so sweet. I love that last picture of you three, so happy and content and blissful. Love ya Lex!!

Lindsey said...

He is so beautiful Lex! I'm so happy for you. You look amazing too. No one is supposed to look that good after having a baby. So fun to hear the labor details. Congrats. It just gets more amazing as time goes on!

Cheltsie Spils said...

I am overjoyed and moved to tears by this lovely post! XOXO Mommy dearest!

Janay said...

Lex, I already love your little baby, and I've only seen his pictures. Isn't it amazing to suddenly have a little baby and know that your body made him? There's nothing like it in all the world. I love looking at your blog and finding out about what you're doing. Congrats to you and Casey -- Cash is truly beautiful.

The Workmans said...

Cash is seriously so adorable! You two did good. You look amazing after being in labor that long. It was really fun to read all about it. Congratulations on the new addition!! You guys are going to be great parents. Have so much fun with him!!

Cathy said...

HE IS SO COMPLETELY ADORABLE! Oh my gosh! Takes your breath away cute. Seriously! And good job! Sounds like a LOOOOONG night you had. Also, WAY TO GO CASEY! AVP CHAMP! You guys rock. We need to bring over a little baby gift we have for Cash :) Lemme know when you are out and about!