The Birth of Wonder Boy

Today is an important day to me. Today is Wonder Boy's Birthday! He is such a blessing in my life! He is 10! I no longer have a child under ten -- I must get rid of this baby fat -- the baby weight excuse is wearing thin at this point, isn't it?

Ten years ago this morning I leaped from our tall bed and immediately wet my pants. I got really irritated and immediately showered. I'd had contractions through the night to keep me awake, but they were not yet close (or consistent) enough to instigate the drive to the hospital. I was supposed to see the doctor and get checked in the morning. I planned to hit the mall for some serious "get this baby out of me" walking first. In the shower I wet myself with each contraction -- what the heck was wrong with my crazy bladder? My contractions worsened quickly and Hubby and I decided to go straight to the doctors and to skip the baby induction walk. I was cranky now since I'd planned to grab a bite to eat at the mall.

On the drive to the doctor's office my contractions worsened again and I continued to periodically wet my pants (maxi pads are a wonder -- sorry for TMI, but it is true). We got stuck in a traffic jam on the way to the doctor's and decided to head straight to the hospital as my contractions were now 4 minutes apart. I seriously wondered if I was going to have this baby in the car. I was also seriously irritated that I didn't eat breakfast that morning. How the heck could I be heading into labor starved for the 2nd time in less than a year??? (Super Girl's first birthday was 5 days after the birth of Wonder Boy).

As traffic thickened, my patience was lost. Hubby was encouraged to drive on the shoulder of the highway to prove his love for me and the baby. He professed his love, and choose to stay on the road. I promptly cursed him in my special and loving way. I wondered if Wonder Boy was destined to be born in the car. My mom told me I was almost born in the car. She'd laughed so hard watching Laugh In that she'd gone into a quick labor with me. I wondered how difficult it would be to clean the upholstery of our car. I asked Hubby to drive faster.

When we finally got to the hospital I was convinced that Wonder Boy was coming soon and that I needed a bathroom in a terrible way. The check in lady wanted my name. I told her it was epidural. She was amused. I told her I was serious about my epidural -- I'd gone from 5-10 in ten minutes with my daughter and missed the "window of opportunity" for my epidural just 360 days ago. I explained I didn't want to miss it again. She tolerated me and checked me in.

The doctor in triage humored me. He wanted to check me before letting me go to the bathroom. I told him this was rude and that I had to pee. He insisted. I threatened to wet the bed. He said to go for it if I had to. I didn't want to wet the bed. I really didn't want to wet the bed. I wet the bed.

I expressed my displeasure with a hearty "Dammit!" followed by and emphatic, "Now look what you've done by making me wait. You've made me wet the bed." He said calmly, and with a somewhat snarky smile "Please let me check you." He checked and chuckled. "You didn't wet the bed, your water is broken." I then informed him that my water most likely broke the first time I wet my pants today at 6:30am. I also told him I wasn't cleaning up that mess of a bed.

I have to admit, my behavior might have been better if I hadn't just had my daughter 360 short days before and missed that ever important epidural. Super Girl's delivery was rough and memorable to say the least -- I'll take my blessings any way I can get them, don't get me wrong.

I got the epidural with Wonder Boy and then clamped my knees together as I waited for my doctor to get there. The resident said "All it will take is one push, you are crowning." I clamped and said "NO, I don't know you, not until my doctor gets here." They called him (he was across the hospital) and I shouted that he might want to run, but that I'd wait. The resident shook her head at me.

You have to love a doctor who enters the room out of breath, who agrees with you that an episiotomy is a good call, and who helps you deliver your beautiful baby boy in less than 10 minutes and in 3 pushes. I held Wonder Boy for the first time and felt like I'd always known him. I am glad I got the epidural because it took enough of the edge off the pain so that I knew I would live through the experience. I actually got to enjoy holding my baby. I was not so worn out from pain that I needed the refuge of sleep. I held Wonder Boy and enjoyed every moment. I wondered at his round head and tiny fingers.

I watched Hubby cut the cord and saw the proud look on his face. I realized that this is how child birth is supposed to be. I loved it. It was hard for me to let other people take turns holding Wonder Boy. It was a joy to see my Mom bring Super Girl into the room in her denim jumper and tights. How is it that my one year old looked so much older all of a sudden? Super Girl was instantly in love with her new brother and touched the top of his head ever so gently.

Our family was together, safe, and happy. People visited but what stands out is how I felt good after this birth and how I got to enjoy both my babies. I also remember kind nurses with warm blankets. Blankets in warmers -- what an idea! I snuggled with Hubby and my kids and loved every bit of the rest of that wonderful day. I was even grateful for ice packs!

I'm glad that I soaked up those moments. I am happy to look back 10 years later and remember the wonder of the birth of my youngest child. I am grateful for nurses with warm blankets and doctors who put me on bed rest so I'd go into that birth healthy and strong. The part after is so much better when your recovery is so much smoother.

I wish this kind of birth experience for my sister, my brother's wife M, and Hubby's sister. They are all due in May and June. May all three have timely epidurals and episiotomies. The double E's are a very good thing when it comes to recovering in my book. I was so grateful that I felt well enough to enjoy the wonder of Wonder Boy.

Happy 10th Birthday Wonder Boy - you have brought joy to my soul!

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The sleep study was last night - now I wait 3 weeks for results. I'm glad it is done. One step at a time. I will sleep again, I know I will!

Ash Wednesday - My Grandmother died on Ash Wednesday so I think of her as well today. She is likely up in heaven smoking a Kent while talking to retired Chicago Cubs players about games she watched many years ago. In my mind I see her laughing in her bright red lipstick while talking on the phone or balancing it in her lap waiting for a call. She's playing a game of solitaire on the coffee table as an enormously long ash balances without regard for the laws of physics on the end of her cigarette. I was 7 when Grandma called on this phone -- she asked me if I knew what a smart ass was. Shocked, I replied "No Grandma, what is a smart ass?" (It was SO exciting to actually say smart ass!!). Her response? "A smart ass is someone who sits on an ice cream cone and then tells you what flavor it is." The delivery was dead pan. She was hilarious.