This time last year....(Part Two)

This time last year, we were getting ready to celebrate Matt's birthday and Thanksgiving!  I had started having what I later realized were contractions that afternoon.  I ignored them for a while, as they were totally atypical compared to everything I had been taught and read about.  They were in my back, and lasted for 3-5 minutes at a time every 15 minutes or so.  They got a bit stronger throughout the day and through the night, but did none of the "get stronger, faster, and longer over time" stuff.  By Thanksgiving dinner, I was fairly uncomfortable during those 3-5 minutes, but kept ignoring them, waiting for a more clear "sign."  How sweet of Parker to let his Mama enjoy Thanksgiving :)


I didn't sleep much that night, and went straight to the doctor the following morning.  It is a visit I will never forget, and one that the office remembers me for every time I go in!  I apparently was already far through the labor process...and went into the doctor that morning at about 5-6 centimeters!  At that point...I realized that November 23rd would be Parker's birthday!  Admittedly, we (and all of the doctors) thought that it would be much earlier in the day than expected, but it still ended up being that day!

I have gotten to the point where I can reflect on memories up to the point of Parker being born with excitement.  The hour before his birth and the 15 hours or so afterwards were the hardest of my life, both physically and emotionally.  Watching his heart rate drop to zero on the monitor with the last few times the doctors let me try to push was heart-wrenching for Matt, I'm sure .  The C-Section itself was anxiety-riddled, uncomfortable, and the meds made it seem like FOREVER.  Matt still tells me, to this day, that it really was only about an hour in total.

Matt could immediately tell when Parker was born that something was "up."  The nurses were huddled and whispering, Parker's cry wasn't the same as the other babies in the nursery, and he even saw the nurses give the sign of the cross in the elevator while transferring Parker to the nursery.  For me, I was totally numb and oblivious.  I hate that I was so out of it.  The whole night was somewhat of a blur.

In those moments, I couldn't get over the fact that Parker had blonde hair, or the fact that it felt like 9348509435834 hours before I got to see him.  I snuggled him as much as I could while recovering that night, and thought of nothing beyond being near him.


Throughout the whole day, Morgan was a complete blessing.  She was there every second, and stuck around until I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore after having Parker.  Mom and Dad Preis and Michelle and Sean stayed all day to meet the newest family member.  I was so thankful to be surrounded by everyone, but also exhausted to the core from the whole experience.

In truth, I can't wait for another chance to go through the birth of a baby.  I can imagine how much more exciting it will be the 2nd time around when you know what the end result is, versus completely terrifying.  There is truly nothing like the love a Mommy has for her baby.