He's here!!!

The Birth Story

Thursday April 10th, 2014 @ 6:13 Our sweet Little Avi McRae Duncan makes his big debut. 8lbs 7 oz 20 inches. That morning in the early morning hours I had a few contractions that woke me up but fizzled out and I didn't think a thing about it since I have been having on and off contractions since 28 weeks. That morning felt totally normal. I got a text from my cute mother-in-law asking if Ali and I wanted to get together for lunch and take the kids to a park. We met up and after a short time playing at the park I took Jude to the bathroom only to discover my water had broken. I waddled back out to Ali and Marie and announced that I thought my water was broken. I didn't know if I had to rush or if I had a lot of time. Since my water was broken with Jude for four days I assumed I had some time. So I tried to take a few more bites of my lunch but I couldn't settle my mind and finally took off. I called Marc and told him I was on my way to the office to head to the hospital. He asked me how sure I was that this was it cause he had a call and 2:00 and it was about 1:00. I was like. Pretty dang sure. My contractions started shortly after getting in the car and were 5 mins apart. I assumed that meant I needed to hurry. I actually drove Marc to the hospital because with my water broken I didn't want to move. We now laugh at that as well. When we got up to Labor and Delivery they didn't have any rooms ready and asked us to wait in the waiting area. Which is very awkward when your water is broken. They got a room ready for us quickly and I changed into my gown and the nurse causally hooked up my monitors and walked out. She came back quickly after seeing I was having contractions. And teased me that I was "silent but deadly" Meaning I was misleading about how far into labor I was. She checked me and said I was about a 5. Then things went crazy fast. Next time she checked me after a very short time I was and 8, then quickly a 9, I was able to get an epidural, which I learned the cut off time is when you can't hold still. I was going so quickly that they said I probably wouldn't get full relief from the epidural. My monitors were hooked up and 1:45 and I was pushing by 2:45. But Avi was posterior so they had me hold off to give the baby time to push. but due to the amount of meds they gave me, I couldn't push once the baby did flip. So they turned off the epidural and told me I would need to deliver with out it. It normally takes about 30 mins for an epidural to wear off. It took me two hours. We all speculated that my Doctor was not happy with the anesthesiologist. Finally, I was in pain again able to push effectively. My cute nurse hurry and gave me more meds once the baby was out so I didn't have to feel anything after that. I loved my nurse. She actually stay after her shift was over to be there for me. She was awesome. I was so in love with our little Avi from the first second we saw him. He is so darling and I am so thrilled I got to experience what other women have experienced. It's been amazing.  

I was having the hardest time getting the hospital. I had to just laugh as I thought to myself my water is broken and I am completely blocked. 

Getting set up. Contractions weren't too strong yet. 

Don't mind my crazy post labor hair. 

Getting updates and showing Jude and cousins their first glimpse of baby Avi. 

Family showed up shortly after and we were dying to show off our newest trophy. We were all a little curious to see what big brother would think. I thought he'd be more interested in pushing buttons and running around. But he was actually very curious about his new little brother. 

Jude even got to help Daddy push Avi to the nursery for his first bath. I was blown away by his interest. 

Jude watching closely through the window. 

Jude was also good to check in on me too. 

Then I had my little bundle all to myself. I've always been a huge fan of skin on skin from the NICU days with Jude. I had to get some time in with Av too. 

Our favorite visitors

And for the crazy part. Taking him home with us. We couldn't get over the fact we got to just take him with us. No monitors, no oxygen, so special diets. Just a pat on the back. 

Jude had to help carry him out. My mommy heart almost burst.