Aiden's Birth Story

*On Wednesday the 30th, I had my 39 week prenatal checkup. Dr swept my membranes and scheduled my induction for Monday 4/4. Aiden had been measuring big for March 31st since his 20 week ultrasound, guess he knew when his birthday was going to be but none of us did! Dr said her record is 50% of women go into labor with 48 hours, so while it was a little uncomfortable after the procedure I still thought nothing was going to happen for me this week as it didn't work with the girls. So, I went home but then started cramping a couple hours later. Just thought it was from the procedure. However, I was up all night cramping at least every 45 mins or so. - * Starting about 7 am on the 31st, I was having semi-painful contractions every 15 minutes. At about 9 they turned pretty painful, but I still wasn't sure if it was just discomfort or what as they weren't getting any closer together. I still had daycare kids and just warned their moms that I might have early pickup that day... was to be my last day before a couple weeks off. I lost my mucus plug in the a.m. sometime. Nasty. Suddenly at about 1:30pm, my contractions went down to 10 mins then 7 mins immediately and were very painful. I called Ben, Grandmas & Grandpas, and daycare moms. They all came pretty quickly and my contractions were then 5-6 mins apart. - * We checked into the hospital about 4:30 and got up into our room by 5:00, I was checked and 4cm contracting every 2-3 mins painfully so requested my epidural. I got my epidural by 5:45 thankfully :) Although I could still feel the contractions way more than any epidural I've had before, it just relaxed me enough to progress more quickly. I was 5cm at 6:00 and 6cm by 6:30. Dr decided to give me the minimum dose of pitocin then to speed things up.. the nurse was wondering how fast she wanted this to go as it was already going pretty quickly. I was checked again at 7pm and was 8cm... then the shakes started. I wasn't cold, just hormones mixed with the epidural and meds. It wasn't too bad, just annoying. I was feeling the contractions pretty thoroughly again by now so we pushed the epidural button again. It didn't really do anything more for me but still took the edge off a bit. - * I started pushing at 7:15 and could feel every push and baby in the birth canal.. and on top of that my legs and body were still extremely heavy from the epidural and I still had the shakes. It was a rough 15 minutes and I was just about wondering how in the world I would get out "just one more push" but Aiden James was born at 7:31pm weighing 8 lbs 1 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long. He was pretty purple upon arrival as he had the cord wrapped all over him. He pinked up fast though. He looked huge compared to his sisters, of course he is way bigger then they were at about 6.5 lbs each.. but now he looks so tiny :) - * I had some lightheadedness after labor for awhile so had to lay flat. We wanted to feed him and get his bath before the girls could come and meet him, but it proved a little difficult to try to nurse the first time laying down when half my body was still super heavy. So, we waited through his bath and I could sit up anyway. I itched everywhere but couldn't shower due to the lightheadedness. Finally by midnight I got to take my IV out, they wanted it in there for safety reasons until then since the first time I tried getting up my blood pressure dropped super low and I had to lay down again. Now, we're both doing well and have had no other complications! Just a little sore at the epidural site and normal delivery discomforts. We are all in love with Aiden and so glad he decided to come in his own time even a little bit early :) He's the perfect addition to our family!

Aiden James is here!

We're so excited to introduce Aiden James born 3/31 at 7:31 pm weighing 8 lbs 1 oz 20 1/4 inches!

Not in labor...

I'm thinking several people might be wondering why I haven't been on facebook at all today... I can't! My account is down and has been since supper time last night due to site maintenance. It is really getting on my nerves! Just wanted to let you know that I'm not in labor and I'm still here.. unfortunately! How rude. I've been having a ton of sciatic nerve pain today and pressure like crazy so baby must be engaging some more.. hopefully!

Are these kids cute or what?

Parade and 38 weeks!

We went to New London for the parade on Saturday and had lots of fun! It was a beautiful day and we sat on the side of the street with the sun, so it felt great to get some much needed Vitamin D!

Grandpa & Grandma bought the girls these cool balloons that they love.

Taylor and Auntie Shelley walked/jogged in the 1.5 mile dash before the parade (Ben missed the actual pic in the parade because we didn't think they were coming so soon!)

Hailey loved up on Auntie Shelley most of the parade

and Taylor had a snack on Daddy's lap

Here were a couple of the cool things. Also, I teared up when a little boy maybe 5 years old ran up to a soldier in the parade just because he wanted to shake his hand. Wish I got a picture of that! So sweet!

the girls and their balloons at home, having fun with them. We all even got a little color on our faces, feels wonderful. Now if only the nice weather would've stayed. We got a good 6 inches of snow Tues/Wed... blah!

*Well, baby's still cooking at 38 weeks. He's growing and I'm not gaining any more weight and haven't for a month, but dr's not concerned. She said we've got a good solid baby in there so I'm a little anxious to see how big he is. Don't think she means huge but big compared to the girls. (they were 6.2 and 6.11) Had my weekly appt yesterday and baby's heartrate was 137, I'm 2cm dilated and 70% effaced. Dr said she doesn't expect me to go before next week since the girls weren't early. However, if I do go it'll be fast so make sure to come into the hospital right away. Here's my growing belly:

*I've been feeling ok... extra large of course. My nose hurts from blowing it for 9+ months, my legs-hips-pelvis-etc are tired but you get the drift. I'm ready to hold my baby now. Good news is at next week's appt she will strip my membranes and schedule my induction date.. there's a light at the end of the tunnel! The girls have been trying to coax their brother out for a week now.. they too are getting impatient!

Another week...

I feel like we've all been in some kind of limbo waiting for this baby to arrive over here, but we really have been carrying on with life in the meantime :) somewhat anyway! Of course we've had earlier bedtimes (at least I have) and haven't gone out as much lately.

The kids and I have been having fun doing schoolwork, singing & dancing, having puppet shows and playing games. Most Wednesdays Grandma P has been able to come over to play with the girls for an hour or two while I go to the dr and the dc boy takes a nap. It's been really appreciated of course! The girls had fun yesterday doing school books while she was here.

and of course I had my 37 week dr checkup, here's my growing belly this week.. I now have 3 shirts that fit so if you always see me in the same thing deal with it :P lol, just kidding.. but I refuse to buy anything bigger now when baby could come any day/week.

My appt went well. I'm still measuring a week ahead so 38 weeks and baby's heartrate was 142. I asked her to check me again and am 1.5-2cm dilated and still 50% effaced. She said to watch out for the super full moon happening on Saturday as it effects the tides and also amniotic fluids so she expects a lot of babies this weekend. I'm going in for a pedicure Saturday morning and walking around at the parade in New London so I'm hoping all of these things together helps me to at least progress some more! That's all until next week.... maybe....

36 weeks

I had my 36 week dr checkup on Wednesday and all went well. Baby boy is doing great. His heartrate was good and I'm measuring a week ahead as always. I was tested for strep b and checked for dilation. I am 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced already. I'm hoping this means I don't go overdue since I was never dilated until the very end with the girls! Anxious to see if I progress by next week's appt. Dr said baby's head is right down on my cervix so guess that's why it feels like he's tunneling out, he's trying to! I've had a ton of hip, pelvis and leg pain.. especially at night. I bought an exercise ball to sit on and it's really helping. Supposed to help with dilation too so we'll see if it works! Here's a picture Mom took of me on Sunday when I was 35.5 weeks.



and a few other pictures....
Can you believe this cute little honey won't be my baby anymore pretty soon?


We went down for Tyler & Madi's bday party this weekend and also got to run over to Pedersen's for a surprise bridal shower for Jody. Here's the kids table at lunch.. Chloe, Brenna, Casey, Bennett, Hailey, Taylor, Axel & Addy.


Here are Grandma & Grandpa with the girls on Sunday morning.


and our growing family

the girls and Mommy