Happy Belated Valentines Day!

Well, it has been a busy time these last few weeks. So I haven't been able to post here (mostly due to lack of sleep), but I know that I really needed to get this posted. After all, Valentines came and went, and I didn't get to post our big surprise! That's right, we had our little baby boy on Valentine's Day. It was a week early. And there were lots of things that conspired to happen all at once, so if you want to hear about them, just sit back and keep reading!

The Tuesday before Valentines, the kids and I were up at my parents' house watching a movie. During the movie, it felt like I was having contractions, but I wasn't sure. I had lots of Braxton Hicks with this pregnancy, and let me tell you, it makes it hard to know when you are really in labor. Tyson was still on the slope and was scheduled to be on the first flight in the morning. He originally wasn't coming home until Friday, but wanted to come home early, so he asked and they let him. I was so scared I was going into labor without him there! We had figured I would have the baby on my due date, and Tyson would be home a week before that happened. So this was more than a week early! We stayed at my parents that night, and I called Tyson, and talked to him, and while I was talking to him, I laid down and the contractions went away. False alarm. Whew!

So I picked Tyson up at the airport about noon on Wednesday, and felt so relieved that he was there. Now I didn't have to worry, he would be there for the birth of this baby. Thursday was Valentines Day, and I watched my sister's kids so she could go to a doctor's appointment (she had a baby 2 weeks before) and then she and her hubby could go out for a Valentine's lunch date. Then she was going to watch our kids in the afternoon so that I could go to a doctor's appointment and then have a Valentine Date with Tyson. My appointment was at 2:30, and the doctor checked me, said I might be at a one or two, but didn't want to push too hard to check. Then Tyson and I decided to see what movies were playing. We chose the 4:25 show of National Treasure 2, then we were going to go dinner afterwards. Most places were booked up or were a first come first serve during the time that we were looking to eat. I felt like I was having contractions again, but wasn't sure if they were Braxton Hicks or not. They were getting pretty uncomfortable though. We watched the movie, and towards the end, I was grabbing Tyson's wrist a lot to keep an eye on how far apart the pains were and then would count to see how long they were. Tyson was aware of my discomfort though, and would ask me if I was okay or if he could do anything for me. I didn't really answer him for two reasons. One, I couldn't talk through them, and the other was that what could he really do for me? I would just kind of smile. I thought that maybe if we went to the car and I could lay down, and they went away, then I would know they were false labor again. But if not, we would be close to the hospital and we could just head over there. I didn't want to drive back to our home (about 20-25 minutes away) if we were just going to have to turn around and come back. So we headed out to the car, walking very slowly! And stopping here and there. Got in, and laid my seat back, and Tyson headed over to the hospital. The pain didn't let up. And I was starting to shake (which means transition labor for those that don't know- I didn't at the time). So we decided to head into the hospital. Good thing I had finished packing my hospital bag that day and brought it and the carseat with us, 'just in case.' I had also packed overnight bags for the kids and had them by the door at home. So my sister, who had been watching Keith and Rachel, swapped with my parents when they heard we might not be coming home, and they spent the night up there.

(Is this long and detailed enough for you?) So we got the the maternity desk and told them I thought I was in labor, but I had had Braxton Hicks a few nights before, but it would be really sad if this much pain didn't amount to anything! They were really busy. 5 of the 6 rooms were already in use, so we got to use the last one. They told us it would probably be awhile before I would be checked because they were busy. I said okay. I am having contractions 5 minutes apart for about 30-40 seconds long. And it is my 3rd child. They said, okay, get changed and we will have someone come and check you. When the nurse came in, Tyson asked if I could use the Jacuzzi tub because I had liked using it with Keith. And she said, well let's see if she is even staying yet. So she got ready to check me, and it felt like she was having a hard time, so I figured it was a false alarm. Then she said, I was at an 8 and needed to get ready because this baby was coming! Wow! She left to get some things to get the room ready, and while she was gone, Tyson gave me a blessing to give me comfort and support so that I would be able to make it through this delivery. It helped a great deal, because it didn't go the way I had wanted it to go (with an epidural) but it didn't take too long either. And our baby was healthy and strong.

Now you get to hear about the room. The bed would sit up and raise in height, but would not recline or go down. They kept raising it to see if they could get it to go the other way too, but no. It was a small room with a weird shape. The monitors were turned off, and she kept trying to get it on, but couldn't figure it out. Tyson showed her the power switch, and she said she hadn't ever seen one of the monitors turned off before. And one of the machines monitors didn't ever end up working. They didn't have the baby incubator in the room, or any of the other equipment that was needed right at delivery. Sounds, fun, right? Eventually, they did get a bed that worked, and they got almost all of the other stuff they needed. Space was still an issue. So Tyson go to be assistant and open drawers and hand things from one side of the bed to the nurse on the other side.

We got to the hospital around 7, they checked me about 7:15 or so, the doctor showed up about 7:45 or 8, and the baby was born at 8:25 pm on February 14. I had wanted an epidural and the nurse was a bit stressed getting the room ready that nothing really happened with that. Then I mentioned it again after the doctor broke my water (I have had to have it broken with both the others too) and he went and got the anesthesiologist. They told me I might not have enough time for it, but we could do it if I wanted. I wanted. So we were doing all the questions and filling out all the forms. But too late. The baby wanted to come NOW! So without an epidural, Thomas Zachery was born. I was so glad that Tyson was there! Even though he wasn't always able to be there next to me and hold my hand (because the room was so small, hospital staff would need to be in his spot) having his presence made such a difference. He doesn't think so, but I know so. And when he was there next to me, I could handle the pain better.

So the stats were: Thomas Zachery Bundy was born Feb. 14, 2008 at 8:25 pm. He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz, and was 21 1/4 inches long. His APGAR scores were 8 and 9. So you can see, a healthy baby boy. We stayed at the hospital for about 24 hours, then came home. His brother and sister were brought to the hospital by Nana and Papa, and Becca and Shawn (my sister and brother-in-law) came and visited us too. Keith and Rachel have been so excited.

Keith loves his baby brother and is always aware of him and where he is and what he needs. He is a big helper and still has not tired of getting me what I need to take care of the baby. He will sit and hold him for great lengths of time and makes sure to let me know if he thinks the baby needs to eat or needs a diaper change. He is always willing to hand him over for those. But he does want to learn how to change Thomas' diaper.

Rachel also loves Thomas Zachery. If you ask her what his name is, that is what she says. She isn't as prone to want to hold him as Keith, but she does like to have her turn, but only holds him for a minute or two, then she is done. She is also a big helper. It was so nice when we came home, Keith and Rachel had helped Carolyn and my parents clean up the upstairs. And I tell you, that was so nice to walk into a clean house- because it was not that way when we left! I was so grateful, and Keith and Rachel were so excited that they had helped clean. They even made a special point to keep it clean (for a few days anyway!)

I am so grateful that Tyson was able to come home early, because if he had come home when he was scheduled too, he would have been about 18 hours too late! I'm grateful the Lord looked out for me, because it was a huge fear that he wasn't going to be here for the birth. He is a great daddy and loves to hold Thomas- mostly when Thomas is sleeping. Because so far, when Thomas is awake, he is wanting to eat, or needs a diaper change. So Tyson passes him on for those things too! But I do get him to change some of the diapers!

I am doing well, still healing. A bit sore. Sitting for too long is still a problem, but I am getting better. Short on sleep, but what new mother isn't. Thomas is a very good baby. He is happy, and doesn't fuss too much. He averages about 3-4 hours between feedings. He sleeps well. He is very loved and welcomed to our family!

I think that is about all that you probably wanted to know, and even more that you didn't want to necessarily know, but that's okay. I will post some more pictures, but they might need to be on a different entry. But just wanted to let everyone know about our eventful Valentines day!