happy birthday daddy and winston...

Our second son was born today!  His completely unexpected arrival surprised and shocked us both.  Yesterday morning I couldn't hold my bladder and was going to the bathroom more frequently than usual.  I had a feeling like my water broke.  I decided it couldn't be that since it was way too early for the baby.  I was only 37 weeks and 2 days along after all.  I headed to work.  However, when around noon I was still having trouble with my bladder, I called the doctor.  They recommended I go in for a fluids check at the hospital.  I left work early and headed to the hospital.  I updated Nick, whom was planning to stay late at work that night for a work function, and told him not to worry and stay at work for now.  I was so certain this was not the time.  It was taking a while for the hospital staff to examine and for that reason I called Nick and told him to come home.  I wasn't going to be out in time to pick up Bennett.  A little after 4PM the doctor finally got to examine me and she had some highly unexpected news.  The baby was going to be born within the next 24 hours!  I was so surprised that I started crying.  I was emotionally overwhelmed.  I was not ready, I didn't get a chance to say bye to Bennett, I was worried about Bennett and how he would react to our absence and I didn't want daddy to have to share his birthday (turns out he loves having a birthday buddy).  The biggest concern I had was the fact that I was not having any contractions.  It meant I would have to be given pitocin to set off labor and if that didn't work I would have to undergo surgery.  That scared me.  It was also my biggest fear the entire pregnancy.  Bennett's labor was so by the book.  I was too lucky.  I knew things wouldn't go as well the second time around.  It would be too much to ask.  I felt better once Nick joined me at the hospital and I talked through some of my concerns with the doctor.  The doctor ended up waiting a full 24 hours since the time my water broke to induce me.  I was grateful the doctor waited the maximum amount of time.  Around 7AM I was hooked up to an IV drip of pitocin.  Around 11AM I started to feel painful contractions which lasted about 2 hours until 1:15PM when I started pushing.  Winston Sasha was born at 1:31PM at 7 pounds 12 ounces and 20 inches long.  Happy Birthday Winston!

He had a little bit of bruising on his face and a broken collar bone (right) from the fast delivery.  He didn't seem bothered by either though.  Winston is absolutely perfect.

  It's amazing how my heart instantly expanded.  I couldn't wait for Bennett to meet his baby brother. 

It took us about three and a half hours to be transferred from labor and delivery to the maternity ward.  Time stood still. 

Finally once at the ward, Nick was able to go home and pick up Grandma and Bennett.

I was really excited to see my monkey.  I felt like things were happening too fast for him.  I wanted to make sure he was ok.  He was taken a back by my appearance and the baby at first.  

He warmed up by the end of the visit.  He touched W's head once or twice when prompted.  Otherwise, he didn't seem interested in him at all.  

I think that will change as soon as we bring Winston home for good.

 We are officially a family of four.  I am still having a hard time wrapping my mind around it.  Also, Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, whom held my hand through labor and helped me breathe and push!  I hope you love your birthday present.