Our Story Of Becoming Parents

Rylyn is going to be 4 mths Wednesday. She is jabbering up a storm these days and has just mastered rolling over on her own. Geez she is growing up right before our eyes quickly!!! tear... Its hard to believe that 4mths ago we were at the hospital getting my labor induced....

Novemeber was a rocky month. I was due Nov 21st but because I was swelling so badly and my blood pressure was never normal. Dr Crenshaw wanted to induce. So on Oct 23rd I was put on bed rest. I started going to the doctor 2ntimes a week by then. So I went in for my appt and my last US. The Sonographer and I had small chit chat then told us the baby was 9.3lbs!! I nearly fell off the chair. All that could come to mind was "Im deffinately not pushing a 9lb baby out. No Ma'am." Into the docs room we go. He was very hesitant to send me home but shy me never asked if we could go on in and induce. My hubby thinks he would have let me but I wanted my doc to deliver so I kept my mouth shut. We scheduled for the 17th and home we went to prop up my swolled big feet.

November 17th
39 wks and 3 days
5:00am
Wide awake and off to the shower I went. Shaved my stubbs, straightened my hair and put on my makeup ( when there are pictures there will be straight hair and make up) My toe were already painted; I did those the night before (and yes I did them.) Our bags were packed, as I walked out the door I took one last look at our quiet nest and smiled. We took our last picture of a family of two and drove off to the hosptial starving to death!

7:30am

I went straight back to my L&D room unable to bring my husband with me. Apparently they dont let them because of questions they ask that may pertain to him possibly beating or abusing the wife. But whatever, I was so anxious I was answering her before she could finish. Finally he could come back and I was getting my fluids started. Dr Crenshaw showed up around 8 or so and before I knew it he broke my water. Now I am a very modest person, so the whole time I was freaking out about this gushing water. My mother says it was all I talked about. "Oh gosh its alot this time, get the nurse I need these padded blankets changed." "Eww this is so gross!" LOL I thought it was never gonna stop. As my family showed up they allowed them 2 by 2 rotations to see us. Garrett was on cell phone duty. Im not so sure what time my contractions started but I know The Price is Right was on when they started getting a little strong. By 11 am I was ready for my epidural.I was so worried that it would wear off by the time I was ready to push. But the nurse said I can get it more thatn one time. So... EPIDURAL PLEASE!!

11:00am

The Epidural nurses came in, I answered the 1 million and 1 questions as my water is pouring in the floor.All I could think about is "how embarrassing is this" The Epidural nurse reminded me that there are 2 things I can throw out the window at this point 1: being modest 2: being clean. I was in so much pain by that time but somehow I managed to hold my comment of reminding him I had my shower this morning and I am pretty clean. The epidural made me very nervous, Im not fond of needles. This by far was the most pain I had ever felt. On top of that I was afraid of him messing up and I become paralyzed. Finally, it was all over and I could rest. Big smile on my face.

11:45

Another check for dialation. Not mentioned before, but I had not dialated more than 1.5cm. But this time I think I made it to two maybe 3. I had already gotten my cath by now not sure what time it was placed but my poor nurse must have been new because she needed help with everything she did. Cath, IV, she couldnt even give Dr the right instrument. But hey, its a learning process and I managed to stay pretty calm the whole time. (thanks to a lovely epidural) My mom and grandmother were hiding in the bathroom because no one is allowed in the room during routine checks. The doctor wanted to put in the internal monitors. As this was being done a silence came over the room. I on the other hand always turned my head away from the whole thing because someone in my personal space makes me uncomfortable. All I heard was "That cant be right." "Ok hook up the externals!" I at this point was in total silence looking at my Dr and husband. He told my husband "Its time to go" I was immediately surrounded by unfamilar faces no husband in sight. Hoses and gagets were being pulled and thrown. People were running. I was frozen with tears slowly rolling down my face. I could not even utter a word, I was so scared and afraid to ask. The fear of knowing my child was in danger sent a chill up my spine and all I could do was cry. My mother and Grandmother burst out of the bathroom yelling "What is going on?" My nurse said " The baby's HR has dropped tremendously we are doing an Emergency C-Section now. I lost my breath and began to pray.

11:56am
Rushing down the hall on my bed another nurse looks at me and says "Everything is going to be okay." All I could do is close my eyes. I prayed the whole way to the OR. I begged God if he was gonna take anyone to please take me. I looked up and saw the lights and wondered where my husband was. No one seemed to think to tell me where he was. More unfamiliar faced surrounded me and a few told me who they were. Stretched out on this cold hard table and I mean COLD I was shivering and shaking so bad I was unable to control it.The anasethia doctor told me I would feel a little tug and pull. Umm No, I was not completly numb....I screamed to the top of my lungs "AHHH I CAN FEEL IT, IT HURTS IT HURTS. I mean literaly I could feel him cut me and pull on my skin!!! So 10, 9, 8, 7, I was out like a light. From the time I was out til the time I went in to recovery was the weirest time. I could hear it all but could not place anything or open my eyes. From 11:56 am to 12:02pm I was wheeled, cut and a baby girl was delivered. Rylyn Greer Gray 9lbs 5oz and 21ins long @ 12:02pm

Garrett wasnt able to see Rylyn born, it was such a quick delivery that he was still in the other room putting on his scrubs. He came in as she was being put on the warming table kicking and screaming; I was being stitched,glued and whatever else they did. I remember waking up in recovery but not able to see clearly. Garrett said "Babe,can you see her?" I was like "I see three!" I could hear her grunting and hear her daddy talking to her. Garrett went out to the waiting room to announce the whole thing. I was finally getting to hold my sweet little miracle from God. Come to find out her cord had wrapped around her shoulder and her HR dropped to less than 42 by the time they unplugged us from the monitors. Thankfully she is 100% fine!!! God is so amazing!

2:00pm
We were wheeled into our new room and our family and friends were at the nursery window searching for her. The recovery nurse was sweet enough to let Garrett hold her all the way there. The family got a sneek peek on the way too the room and all you could see where flashes coming every direction. I so kindly asked the nurse to hold them off for a moment so Garrett and I could have a moment with our daughter. Sweet Bliss.
When we allowed family and friends they poured in. We had a house full. The nurse stressed for everyone to sanitize thier hand but wouldnt you know our room was out of sanitizer!! Luckily I had a bottle in my purse! She was passed from person to person and pics were taken. Next step, time to put on those adorable baby clothes I had gone so crazy buying!! As time dwindled down and visitors started fading out it was time to feed little miss Ry. I had retained so much fluid she wasnt very hungry.They call these juicy babies. For a few days they "throw up" fluid they retain from mommy because natural delivery somehow squeezes it out or something. I planned on breastfeeding and I was determined. We tried many times but she would not latch on. After trying for a while the nurse said we had to get some kind of nutrients in. We had to try formula, we didnt like the thought of that. The second she took that suckle I pulled the bottle from her mouth and stuck to her to my breast. Yes!! I was so relieved. She latched on and it was sucess from that day on.
That night the nurse encouraged for us to get our sleep and let the baby stay in the nursery. I insisted she stay with us, I was not letting her out of my sight and neither was her dayyd. After a C Section I highly recommend taking the nurses advice. It was probably a total of 2 hrs sleep for me. I had the hardest time getting her out of the bassinet when she cried. The beds are not tall enough and with a cut that long in that spot hurts. Not to mention a husband who sleeps like a rock and never hears anything. The next 2 nights she went to the nursery for her 4hr naps. I had an awesome nurse who I kind of knew, so that made for a comfortable stay.

November 19th

Doc came to see us and said I was healing well. If I wanted to stay one more day I could but I was ready to get home and start my journey as a new mommy! We took our new baby care class, had our car seat checked and ate our last hopspital meal. By 4pm we were on our way home as a family of 3!! We were welcomed home by Rylyns Gigi (garretts mom) Eli and Ellie. They were so happy to see us. I was worried on how they would react but they did so great. Eli is a little protector, Elli on the other had was so nervous she was sick the whole evening. It took her a little bit but she is loving life with Rylyn just as much as we are.

Now the weeks are flying by and she is growing right before our eyes. Cooing, smiling, and rolling over are just a few things our smart girl is doing now. She got to expierence her First Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2009. Before we know it she will be a yr old and I will be chasing her all over this house! Being a mom is such an amazing feeling. I could have the worst day, take one look at her big smile and she will warm my heart. I am so truly appreciative, thankful...words can not express how I feel that God chose me to be her mommy.