Happy Birthday Nicholas Connor Ferris: May 01, 2009: Part 2

As you can tell, I don't leave much detail out! I hate stories without the details.

I got to the part about going back and getting changed into a gown. Nick wasn't allowed to go back with me which I hated because I didn't want to be alone and wanted his support. They basically just want to ensure I definitely was in labor and that my water had truly broken. When that nurse did the exam to determine how dilated I was, I had never felt so much pain in my life. I kept saying over, and over, that if that is what labor felt like, I couldn't do it. I started to cry because I was back there alone and I was in pain. I was sure that baby was going to be coming within the hour as close as my contractions were but I was ONLY 1.5 cm dilated. WHAT?!?! She also said at first that my water had not broken and talk about being scared???? I started to cry again because I thought they were going to send me home after all that. Well, another nurse came and said that my water had broken but warned that it would probably need to be broken again due to how much water I had. The moment she said that, a gush of water came so they hurried me into the delivery room so I could get cleaned up. I got into my delivery room about 7:30pm and met all of my wonderful nurses. Due to the contractions, they started me on a pain medicine via IV and it made me very loopy but I felt great. The plan was to start the pitocin drip around 9pm to increase dilation. By 9pm, I was between 3-4 cm dilated and I couldn't handle any more pain. I was squeezing Nick's hand off and they were 2 minutes apart. Dr. Smith was the on-call doctor and he came in to check on me and estimated Connor to weigh no more than 7lbs 8oz and said no worry for a C-sec. She went ahead and got me an epidural since the pitocin would only increase the contractions and hurt worse. The epidural was AMAZING and I didn't feel anything until about 12:30am, right when everyone was showing up. I was tired, hungry (remember, only that small salad all day). Once you are in labor, you can't eat anything until after birth. The Anesthesiologist came and refueled me with the epidural. They examined me and I was 7cm dilated so she estimated a 6am delivery. I forgot to mention that getting the epidural is scary because you don't want to move. I had the best nurse so she just kept talking to me to help me. Nick couldn't watch when he did it because of the needle size. It didn't hurt per say, but it was odd feeling.

By 1am, I was feeling great but SOO sleepy. Everyone was resting except for my mom and me. We just kept chatting because I couldn't sleep obviously.

By 3:00am, I was fully dilated but his head was still high. I had to get on all 4s and that was the WORSTTTTTTT. It was so much pressure! 3 nurses were pressing down on my back trying to get him down. I finally was in position to push about 3:25am. Only Nick, my mom, and mother-in-law were in the room. At first it wasn't so bad because I only pushed when the contractions occurred which were about every 2 minutes. The nurse would tell me when to push and to keep pushing for 10 seconds without breathing, then inhale and push again. You had to do this 3 times, every contraction. By the third push... I just didn't have any more energy. The 43 minutes I pushed seem like an eternity. I could feel all the pressure and it was so painful. They told me even with epidural, I would feel pressure but this was intense. I know so many women that couldn't even feel their legs to even push so I knew the epidural wore off. I couldn't have done it without Nick by my side holding my hand. He was so sweet. I remember when Connor's head started to crown.. my mom got so worried asking where the doctor was because she thought he was going to fall out..haha! Of course, the doctor comes in at the last minute and gets all the attire on. During this time, they are telling me not to push but it is just natural to PUSH.. I couldn't help it. The nurse told me that he had a head full of hair and I asked what color and couldn't believe it was brown!!! I assumed it was just because it was wet. When I got in the final stages of pushing, the nurse told me I would feel the "ring of fire" and said it would burn really bad. WHY DID SHE TELL ME THIS?? It truly scared me to death. Well, she didn't exaggerate... it was the WORST burning feeling when his head came. By 4am, it was getting closer and the pushing was increased to pushing as hard as I could until I was blue in the face. Before the last push, the doctor had to do an epitosomy which I did not want. Thank God I didn't feel that!

On Friday, May 1st at 4:08am, Nicholas Connor Ferris was introduced to the world by Dr. Smith and the 3 wonderful nurses. He was immediately placed on my stomach and there are NO words that can describe the feeling of meeting our son for the first time. I was so in love with him and couldn't stop staring at him. He was and still is the most beautiful boy! Everyone was full of tears and excitement. I remember the doctor saying how much water came out with that last push; he couldn't believe it. While I held him, the nurses continued to clean him up as best as they could and then took him to be weighed and for his test. The delivery room was quite large so everyone went over to the incubator while he was having his test and being weighed. I was getting stitched up which took a good 15 minutes.

When Connor was weighed for the first time, the doctor and nurses couldn't believe I just delivered almost a 9lb baby since I was 2 weeks early. He was 8lbs 14oz. It definitely isn't uncommon to deliver a 9lb baby but with the potential risk, most doctors will automatically send to C-sec just to be safe.

I think about 5:30-6:00, my parents and in laws went to our house to sleep since we all had been up all night. The nurse that was with me the entire time told my family and me that she rarely sees labor/deliveries that the baby's heart beat doesn't get stressed from the process. His heartbeat stayed a perfect rhythm the entire time. She said I was one of her easy ones. She also couldn't believe as a first time mother, the labor was only 10 hours.

My only disappointment was the doctor didn't ask Nick to cut the cord and he wanted to. It happened so fast there wasn't time for questions.

Once everyone left, I breastfed Connor for the first time and we already had a bond. I have to say it was a magical feeling feeding my son and it was so natural to him.

By 7am, I was STARVING but never even ate until 9:30am because they forgot me. I was also put into the smallest recovery room that wasn't much bigger than a closet. I got settled into my room and just wanted to cuddle Connor and sleep. Needless to say, I honestly didn't sleep until Saturday night. I had to keep Connor at the breast all night so I was scared to fall asleep. I did this because I wanted to make sure he was getting enough. My doctor came in Friday afternoon and released me to leave on Saturday. The pediatrician opposed that of course. He feels it is essential for first time mothers to stay the 48 hours post birth.

Connor couldn't have a bath until his temperature stayed above 98 degrees for at least 6 hours so he didn't even get his bath until Saturday.

When it was time to discard from the hospital, the pediatrician was concerned that Connor had lost 10oz of weight. If he would have lost 16oz (1lb) we would have had to stay at the hospital another day until he gained weight. Due to this, the pediatrician told me to give Connor formula once I got home to increase his weight along with breastfeeding. I was very skeptical of this but did what I was told. They gave me ready-to-feed bottles that had the nipples already attached. I would breastfeed, then top Connor off with the formula. Guess what happened??? He got nipple confused and wanted the faster nipple and rejected ME. No one knows how much this hurt me and how much I blame myself for this. Why didn't I research and use my own slow flow nipples?? I had to pump milk into bottles for Connor which was a lot of work. I breastfed for my entire maternity leave and supplemented with formula because once I got back to work, there was NO TIME to pump at work. The pediatrician constantly reminds me that the most important time to breast feed a baby is at birth for the antibodies that can't be found in formula and that is exactly what I did. He got the breast milk when it was most important so I have learned to come into terms with that. I have learned a big lesson for when I have my second child.

With all that said, Connor was back to birth weight in no time. Since I can't breastfeed, I try to give him the best formula that comes closest to breast milk possible.

I know this was really long but remember, Connor will appreciate reading this one day. I am printing all my blogs to put into a book for him.

Thank you for taking time to read!

Love,

Angie

Happy Birthday Nicholas Connor Ferris: May 01, 2009 PART 1

This picture was taken at 8:30pm while I was on the phone with my mom; 3cm dilated and already sweaty!

For the birth story.. I have to go back to week 35 for a full understanding. Typically, (in GA) you have your last ultrasound at week 36 to determine position and size of baby. They do not measure or even guestimate the size before that week. My appointment happen to fall on week 35 and even then they were unsure if they should do the "exam" to determine dialation/effacement that early. The sonographer estimated Connor to already be 7lbs 1oz (give or take a pound). This is a term size baby at 35 weeks!!! It didn't worry Dr. McIntosh (my doc) because she said it is usually genetic and Nick was a big baby at birth. Well, I about fell off the chair when she said how big he was. It was the fear of having a C-section which I did not want. Her concerns were that he would be too big to deliver vaginally because the fear of his shoulders getting stuck, or her inducing me, not dilate enough, and have an emergency C-sec. We discussed the idea of inducing me but no earlier than week 39 AND I had to be dilated to at least a 1cm. Week 37 came and I was 1cm dilated but then she said she would feel better if I were at least 2cm by week 38 to be induced early. I was a little frustrated because it seems I didn't know what I wanted.... I didn't want to be induced, didn't want a C-sec, and didn't want to go too much longer because he was so big and it scared me. I honestly just prayed to go in labor on my own and EARLY. The doc told me that she doubted I would go early because all first time mother's most likely go to 40 weeks or past due. The pregnancy was healthy so my odds were low for early labor.

On the weekend prior to birth, Nick and I went to Jekyll Island (sp) for the day just so I could walk, walk, walk. My point of walking so much was to try and help with the dilation process so I would be 2cm by my appointment that Friday, May 1st so she would induce May 6th. My coworker, Mandy was induced the 28th and had her son that Tuesday. I went to see her in the hospital, swollen ankles and all, that Wednesday after work. I met her beautiful son and being in there made me really nervous because I knew I was next. When I left, I realized that I had not purchased a baby book yet so Nick and I went to the mall and bought an adorable one at Hallmark when I got home. By the time bedtime rolled around, I was exhausted!

Thursday morning, April 30th, I woke up when Nick did around 4:30am and I was wide awake and feel very weird. I definitely could not go back to sleep. I told Nick that I feel weird and I thought it was going to happen soon. Of course, he didn't really take me serious. He just kept telling me how talkative I was that morning. I just thought it was my nerves from visiting Mandy the night before. I just went ahead and got up to shave my legs, etc. but still felt so weird. I went to work and instantly emailed my mom and mother-in-law that I feel weird. My mom said she was hoping it wasn't labor because she had month end at work and had to be there.. (she said she knew that Connor wouldn't do that to her..haha) My mother-in-law joked about getting the clothes washed and packed. She had been saying all week that I would go in labor that weekend so they were planning on packing anyways.

Well, the entire day I continued to feel weird and would have cramping type contractions about 2-3 hours apart so I definitely wasn't worried. That is perfectly normal that far along in pregnancy. I remember EVERYONE telling me, "you are probably in labor girl, go to the doctor" and my response, "noooo, I am just nervous after seeing Mandy" I did not think it was real contractions. At one point, one of the ladies there had me lie down while she massaged my back. I really wish I could explain in words how I felt that day..

I didn't even bring lunch because I had no appetite. Natalie and Lauren (coworkers and friends) insisted I go to lunch with them so I could get something on my stomach since I didn't eat breakfast. I only ate an appetizer small salad. 5 o'clock came and nothing.. I left work and got home around 5:25pm. Nick and I were planning to go to Walmart to get some things but he was cutting the grass. I left my work shirt on and through on some gym shorts to get some stuff done. I was in a nervous wreck and my adrenaline was increased so I just wanted to clean, clean, clean. I started washing the sheets off the guest bed and folding some towels in the dryer. When I went to put up the towels in the closet, I noticed Layla didn't have any food in her bowl. I bent down to fill it up and that is when it happened.....my water BROKE! The time was around 5:40ish. It is very odd at first because you don't think that is what it is. You definitely know it isn't urine! Connor started moving around in my belly so much when this happened. I immediately grabbed 2 towels that I just put away and walked outside to tell Nick. He kind of gave me a funny look when I told him and kind of just tossed everything to the side. He hurried inside to take a shower since he was cutting the grass. Stupid me didn't have my bag packed yet so I did this in the meantime. At first, I didn't feel any contractions or pain so I was just taking my time. Then, the contractions came on strong and Nick timed them at 7 minutes apart. Since we took the birth class, it was funny how much Nick remembered. I remember him saying.. " we need to time them" HAHA so cute!!! By the time we got in the car and on the road, it was about 6:20pm. I started to text the news and make the phone calls on the way. My mom thought I was joking because of the "month end" thing so that was funny! She was at the grocery store with my grandmother at the time. She too had to go home and get packed along with my dad. Nicks' parents hit the road as soon as we called since they were ready for the most part. My mom was so worried that she wasn't going to make it in time.

By the time we were reaching near of the hospital, my contractions were 3 minutes apart and very painful. Nick walked me in with my towels in tow to get me signed in. Even doing all the paper work several weeks prior, I still had to wait in the waiting room for about 10 minutes. They finally came and got me with a wheelchair and apologized that I had to wait at all; she said they didn't know my water had broke.

Time to go back and get changed into a gown.... Part 2 Next!

The Pregnancy.....

This is my very last pregnancy picture at almost 38 weeks.. this is "dropped" for me!

As long as 9 months is, this will be a short version as well. I have my entire pregnancy written down in my monthly journal so this is just leading up to the birth. At work, there was another girl that was pregnant and only 2 weeks ahead of me. When she announced she was pregnant, it was when I was still waiting to see if I was. I remember thinking how fun it would be to be pregnant with someone. I think God planned it this way because I worry about EVERYTHING and it was so comforting having her by my side the entire pregnancy so we could go to one another for questions and advice. We still go to one another for advice and questions.

Ahhhhh, the joys of pregnancy.....but before I start, I will tell you what I didn't like...

1) that people think they can say anything to you

2) HATED when people said "you will never spend time with your husband" when the baby comes because they aren't in my marriage and don't know. UGHHH

3) when people stared at my belly like I was the only pregnant girl

4) constant bathroom breaks..poor bladder

Month countdown....

Month 1: VERY, VERY fatigue

October 6th: first doc appt; baby heartbeat: 162 bpm BP: 91/60

Month 2: not so much tired at work but dead by 8pm... started having fruit cravings.

Month 3-4: all my energy was back and began working out like I did pre-pregnancy BUT I was craving vinegar (straight), pizza, and SUB SANDWICHES.

November 25th: It's a BOY!!! My favorite words ever.........

On the Monday after Thanksgiving while putting on my mascara getting ready for work, it felt like someone stabbed me in my back with a knife. I doubled over and was in the worst pain. I didn't get so terrified until the pain went from back to belly. I was hysterical and alone (Nick at work 45 min away). I drove myself to the doctor and honestly think God drove me.. I don't remember. I got there before opening time but they took me back. Turns out, kidney stone. I don't wish them on anyone. Mine were pregnancy related due to the increased hormones and the increased calcium from my prenatal vitamins. I was out of work for a week with my mom and mother-in-law taking turns staying with me. I was on hydrocodone for pain so I worried so much about baby Ferris. After that ordeal, the rest of the pregnancy was perfect!!

Month 5-8: craving sandwiches still and baby became really active. Nick and I felt him kick (protruding belly) for the first time on January 1st, 2009.

Had our birth class on February 21st at the hospital and also got a tour. People don't think they are beneficial but they really are.

Started the nursery in February!

Honestly, I didn't start showing (past the is she, isn't she stage) until around week 25ish. Who would have thought he would be so big :)

Showers: had an amazing work shower on March 4th with Mandy... we got SO much stuff! Had another family/friends shower in NC on March 7th at my parents' church.

Month 9: uncomfortable but still doing lots of walking.. which I personally think led me to labor. I remember my stomach literally feeling like it was going to POP. It would feel like it was tearing.

I am so glad I wrote down each month of my pregnancy... even referring to it to write this took me back to when and how I felt when I wrote it. It is funny because every entry was about when MAY was going to get here...

Fast Forward to... I'm Pregnant...

I really don't know where to even begin with this story without TMI; you are warned!!!! Basically, Nick and I decided that after our many years of being together and finally settled into a home/job, etc., it was time for the next step.
Well, I must say, when you are "planning" a pregnancy, waiting to take a test seems like ETERNITY. Even after 2 weeks, I knew I was pregnant and told Nick and my mom that I knew I was because I was SO sleepy at work and just had a feeling. They both told me that it was all in my head because I wanted to be so bad. I wasn't taken seriously because no one thought it would happen so soon. On the Friday before Labor Day weekend, I went to Walgreens to buy a pregnancy test since I just knew I was. We were heading to my inlaws after work for the holiday weekend. I am not going to lie, I took the test that Friday night and it was negative. I took this test alone because I really didn't want to hear " I told you so" and disappoint anyone. I didn't even tell Nick that I bought the test, nor took it. That weekend I was beyond exhausted.. I was falling asleep while getting ready. My mother-in-law even told me later that she wondered if I were pregnant based on my fatigue. I bought the test that you can take 5 days before your missed "cycle". I wasn't due until that following Tuesday and I am always right on schedule. Tuesday came and it was the longest day ever because I was waiting. By this point I knew it was all in my head but I still had not started. So... at midnight (I know, silly) I took another test (technically 1 day late) and it read positive before I could even finish. Again, I took this alone because 1) I already took a negative and 2) everyone thought it was all in my head. I didn't want to wake Nick in the middle of the night and tell him when we couldn't even get excited and talk. I bottled up the excitement and went to bed. I woke up thinking it was all a dream (Nick had already left for work). I was SOOOOOO happy. I couldn't wait to get off work and figure out a way to tell him. I did regret not taking the test with him but my reason was good. During my lunch, I went to the store trying to find something creative to share the news with Nick...nothing! So, I went home and "Connor" wrote him a letter that read....
Dear Daddy, Surprise!!! I can't wait to meet you in May. Please take care of Mommy during this pregnancy. Love, Baby Ferris

I enclosed this letter in an envelope with the test and gave it to Nick when he got home. I handed it to him and he was confused. I told him it came in the mail..hahaha!
He opened and the rest is history... we were very happy and shocked.... he then called his parents and started to cry (he would say his eyes watered) on the phone with them. Everyone was very excited to say the least!!! Let the pregnancy begin............

How it all happened... back in 2000!

In 2000, I met Nick while working at Target when I was 17 and he was 22. I know, I know, why would a 22 year old want to date a 17 yr old?!?! We heard it all! Somehow at the very young age that I was, I already knew Nick was potential. To make a long story short, we of course started dating and my parents just kept lecturing me of getting into anything serious before even graduating high school. Nick was already in college at Belmont Abbey majoring in Business Admin. It is common sense to assume that he would break my heart because of our age difference. It baffles me how age really becomes a number the older you get. In our seven years of dating, Nick graduated college and kept getting relocated from place to place while I was in college so we dated long distance for about 3 years (not consecutive). My senior year of college was the best and I lived alone in Asheville while Nick lived in Greensboro, NC. We also got engaged in May of 2006 and wed June 09, 2007 at the Belmont Abbey Basilica. Now if that isn't a synoposis of 7 years, I don't know what is!!!

Oh yeah, I must add that my parents love Nick so they can be wrong sometimes... :)

I got the idea from a friend....BLOG

As you all may know, I love to leave my "life" on Facebook statuses. My friend, Tiffany started a blog after the birth of her daughter, Emmie Lane and my first thought, "what a great idea"! Nick, Connor and I live away from EVERYONE so as of now, the only way to connect with family and friends is via Facebook. Sadly, not all of my family are on FB so the next best thing... BLOGGING! I don't think I would be interested in this if I didn't have a son; I wouldn't even have anything to talk about. As every parent knows, we love to talk about our children :)

So I am going to blog back to meeting my husband (the short version), and try to get caught up to the current.