Whew - I am the mom of two boys! It’s still so hard to believe but I am loving it already. We’re home and resting and getting acquainted to the newest member of our clan and having a great time doing so. So where to begin…I feel like time has flown by since my doctor’s appointment on Wednesday when I got the wonderful news that I was going to be induced the following morning. To say I was shocked is an understatement. But my doctor was so great and very sensitive as I sat there crying on the table, trying not to be scared. And I kept thinking how I didn’t want to tell my mom since my grandmother’s funeral would also be the following morning. I trust my doctor 110% so to have him say that this needed to be done the next day, I knew I shouldn’t even try and buy more time. So he called the hospital for me to schedule my induction and I was to report to the hospital at 7:30 am.
So what does someone do who really really doesn’t want to be induced do? You try and induce yourself! I got up at 5:30 am and walked three miles around our neighborhood, praying that I would go into labor naturally. I even threw in some squats and stretching for extra measure, but nada. So we packed up our stuff and on to the hospital we went. When we got to L&D, they got me started with the prolastaglandin gel and I hoped and prayed that would be enough, esp. since I was already dilated to a two, 60% effaced and he was stationed at a -1. But that was wishful thinking. It gave me some contractions but nothing to get excited about and Tim and I began walking around the hospital. At noon I reported back to have them check me, convinced I’d be at least a four but I was only dilated to a three. So then they broke my water, which did nothing except give me hard and fast contractions, and couple that with a few more hours of walking and you can imagine my sheer horror when at 6 pm I was still only at a three. What the what?! Those contractions were two minutes apart and they were hurting like a mother! The last shot was giving me the pitocin which I wanted to be the last resort and the desire to labor naturally was waning. My confidence had been completely leveled, and after ten hours I was so exhausted and ready to have Max no matter what it took that I also opted for the Epidural (did I just hear some of you gasp?). And can I say, IT WAS WONDERFUL! Sweet Nectar of the Gods I’ve heard it described and it’s so true. As soon as the epidural was administered, I began to have such a peace - I can’t describe it. I knew it was just the way it needed to be done this time around and not one part of me regrets doing it. After the epi began to work I was feeling so good. I mean gooooood. I got my sense of humor back, I was finally beginning to relax and not be so frustrated at the day, and most importantly it gave me the renewal I needed to get excited about meeting my little boy.
Around 9 pm the nurse checked me after being on the pitocin for two hours and I was only at a four. No biggie - I figured it would take a while so I watched some 30 Rock, joked and visited with family and planned to take a cat nap before I had to start pushing. At 10 pm the nurse came in to check me since my contractions were “getting good” and was floored when she said I was at a seven - from three to a seven after only an hour? Sweeeeet! My in laws came by to visit, which was really fun and we all joked and talked with the staff as they began to prepare my room for the delivery. At 10:30 the nurse came in to check me and said, “You’re complete. You’re at a ten.” DID SHE JUST SAY I WAS AT A TEN?! Tim and I looked at each other in complete disbelief - going from not much to “you’re ready” in just a few hours are you kidding me? She told me to do a practice push and then quickly told me to stop and paged the doctor to come in.
With Conner I pushed for fourty long and agonizing minutes. Five minutes of pushing and Max was born. As I held him on my chest I was in complete disbelief that he was actually here, and before midnight! As exhausting as the day was, the efficiency and excitement of the last hour made it all worth it.
Now the mushy part. I don’t think I can put into words how much I adore this baby. I know that’s a statement every mother makes, but I can not imagine what life would be like without him in it. Just as it did with Conner, I feel like he’s always been a part of our family. I was so worried I wouldn’t love him as much as Conner but everyone was right - you do, and while it’s different, it’s still good and amazing.
Conner gave us a crash-course into the world of raising a newborn and it took over a year for me to get over it and begin to think about having another. The last months of my pregnancy were spent begging the Lord to redeem this process for us, for I didn’t think I had it in me to do it all over again. I prayed Max would be gentle and calm, and have a peaceful disposition. I prayed he would nurse well, sleep well and on his own, and would be low-maintenance. I made no bones about being specific and laid all my fears and concerns before Him for these were the things I honestly wanted.
Within minutes of Max’s arrival I new the Lord had answered those prayers. Max has the very qualities that I had asked for: he’s gentle, calm and peaceful. I can already tell he’s going to be my strong, silent boy. He’s such a sweetheart and we are already enjoying him so much. I am excited and anxious to learn more about this little guy and know that he is already a perfect fit to our amazing family. God is so good. He is the giver of good gifts and all that Max is to me, Tim and Conner is certainly one amazing gift. I am truly humbled that the Lord has not only heard my prayers, but answered them in one of the sweetest ways possible.
Julie Nickerson says:
CONGRATULATIONS on such a beautiful baby boy!
I’m encouraged to hear that Max only took 5 minutes to push out. I’ve been hearing lately, from my friends who have just had their second baby, that the second baby only took a few pushes. That is so GREAT to hear since it took 4 long hours of pushing for my little man to come into this world!
Praise God He answered your prayers! You are blessed with a sweet, little new addition.
Enjoy each moment with your boys!
PS-Epi’s are AMAZING!!!
July 1st, 2008 at 6:05 am
Heather H says:
Candace - I am rejoicing with you at Max’s birth, but also in the ways God so obviously answered your prayers. Max is just beautiful! I’m so happy for you guys!!
much love to you.
ps - LOVE IT that you were watching 30 Rock!
July 1st, 2008 at 6:52 am
Bobbi-lee says:
Oh my gosh, he truly is amazingly beautiful. I just love looking at newborns, it gets me all mushy inside as I can’t wait for my little boy to be born already!
Congratulations Candace!
July 1st, 2008 at 7:45 am
bee says:
Oh Candace, he is beautiful! You have me totally boo-hooing!
I’m so glad you guys are home now, adjusting and doing well!
July 1st, 2008 at 9:19 am
Toni says:
Congratulations again! He is adorable. I am so happy for you! I am glad you got some relief, those Epi’s are nice!! I hope you are getting some rest. How has Conner been so far?
July 1st, 2008 at 9:53 am
September says:
Congratulations on a beautiful addition to your wonderful family!
Both of mine were induced w/less than a cm dilated and less than 10% effaced. There is *no* way I could’ve done that without that wonderful epidural man.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:09 am
Kim says:
Congrats Candace, Tim, & Conner! Boy does Max look like his big brother! I am glad to hear that your prayers were answered and hope things continue to go smoothly now that you are home.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:24 am
Emily says:
He’s so beautiful! So glad his delivery was everything you wanted it to be.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:41 am
Rebecca says:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! He is adorable!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:42 am
oh amanda says:
Candace, he’s beautiful! (He looks like Conner!) I had tears in my eyes and am rejoicing with you!!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:56 am
AmyG says:
He’s beautiful, Candace!! I’m so happy he’s all that you asked for. Look forward to watching him grow with Conner!
July 1st, 2008 at 11:11 am
Filtering Life says:
He is PERFECT! Even if it is like looking into your dad’s face. I am so please and stand to testify at God’s grace and provisions of your prayers. He fits your family perfectly!
July 1st, 2008 at 11:46 am
Fritz says:
That is so wonderful — I saw the note when Tim sent it to Twitter and wondered when I’d get to see pictures. The photo of Connor kissing his little brother is especially precious. All the best.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Tracey says:
CONGRATS again! He is beautiful!
July 1st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Kacey says:
Congratulations to you guys! What a beautiful little boy Max is! So glad to hear you had a relatively peaceful labor.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Katy says:
He’s beautiful! You have such an adorable little family! Congratulations!
July 2nd, 2008 at 6:14 am
Melany says:
He is gorgeous and Connor looks SO proud. I’m glad to hear your labour went well. Congratulations Candace. You did a great job.
July 2nd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Natalie says:
Oh, he is so beautiful. In the picture with Tim and connor on the hospital chair, he looks JUST like Connor. I know you are so proud. Your labor went wonderfully, and I’m so glad the you are at peace with everything. It didn’t go as you wanted, but it turned out just perfect. And that is how fast I went, I was moving slow at first, then from like 5 cm to ready to push seemed to fly - in like 1.5hrs. And the epi was SO NICE!!! Congrats and Good Luck, I remember the first few weeks being really rough!
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:29 am
Julie says:
Congratulations on your sweet new baby! You have a beautiful family!
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:37 am
Elizabeth says:
Congratulations on your bleesed little boy. I’m so thrilled for you to welcome him home and so glad that he’s all you prayed for. God IS good.
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
chrissy says:
he’s perrrrrrfect! i am so happy for you! so handsome!
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt says:
I related to this post in so many ways! HUGE fan of the epidural. I will never have a baby without one, if I can help it
Second babies are almost always better nursers, I found that to be totally true, it sounds like you have, too!
Congratulations! Glad everything is going so well.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
pinkmommy says:
I am so behind! Congratulations! He is such a doll!
So sorry you didn’t get to go natural, but I am so happy everything went ok and you feel good about it all.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:15 am