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.