Cooper Jameson Maddern

Cooper Jameson Maddern was born yesterday (Tuesday) at 3:23pm. We came to the hospital at 8am to try an external version because he was breech. A version is where the doctor manipulates the outside of your belly to try to turn the baby so his head is down for birth. They won't deliver baby's naturally when they are breech. So the version was our option to try to avoid a c-section.

We were so lucky to have had a successful version!! It doesn't happen much... even the nurses were excited about it. So, they started pitocin right after and broke my water to induce labor so he would hopefully not turn back around.

I labored until around 2:30, when I decided the contractions were coming on too fast and strong... so I reluctantly took an epidural. Immediately after administering the epidural, I was having really strong contractions that weren't succumbing to the meds. The nurse checked how dilated I was and I was ready to push already. It took about 10 minutes of pushing and he was out! Born at 3:23 pm.

He is 20 inches, 8 pounds 1 oz, and came out with a bruised face! But he's cute as can be, of course! He didn't cry when he came out (which worried us), but he's just fine and has since cried just once when he was hungry last night!! He has little whimpers and monkey noises, but he's so quiet and content.

We will be going home on Thursday morning, most likely. I'll take advantage of Kami's Grandparents taking her for a couple days and the nursery taking the baby at night so we can get some sleep!

In labor...

I am currently at Waukesha Memorial... have been here for close to 5 hours. We had a scheduled version at 8am, and if that didn't work, we were scheduled for a c-section at 11:30. Luckily, the version worked!! So excited about that. So they started Pitocin right after to get things moving so he doesn't have a chance to flip back. Been sitting here watching cable and experiencing contractions that have been 3 or so minutes apart. They are finally starting to get a bit stronger. Let's get the show on the road!! :) I am soooo hungry, as I had to fast since last night in case of a section. The first meal I get will be heavenly!

We dropped Kami off at daycare this morning and then Grandma and Grandpa D picked her up from there. They are hanging out at our house now, awaiting word on what happens through the day.

More updates as we have them...

Baby's coming, one way or another...

Today I had my 38 week appointment and, for the first time in either of my pregnancies, I got not-that-great news. Baby is breech, so we're faced with a c-section, probably next week. I will be going back to the doc on Friday to check his position again and we will be making some decisions at that time. I'm going to spend some time elevating my hips and putting frozen peas on the top side of my belly in hopes of coaxing him to flip around. While c-sections and natural birth each have pros and cons of their own, I thought a lot about them through the day today and realized that when it comes down to it... I certainly prefer natural. I don't want any meds going into my spine, I don't want to be strapped to a bed with IVs, I don't want a catheter and I don't want to spend 6 weeks of my summer recovering from a major surgery. I can handle labor and delivery au naturale... I've done it before. It's one day of discomfort and then minimal healing time thereafter. It really is the best option.

But... if c-section is what I am destined to do with this one, then so be it. We'll both be here and healthy, even if it does require more time to recover.

Having the doc tell me that I'll be having the baby next week really put things into perspective. We need a name, sooner rather than later, I really need to pack some bags, Kami needs care while we're in the hospital, do we have everything set for baby, what the heck is it going to be like with 2 under 2 in the house and how is Kami going to perceive this new creature in our house?!

Well, it's a waiting game until Friday. Lots of things will be decided that day. I hope the week goes fast!

Been a while...

Haven't written in some time. Today I had my 37 week doctor appointment! I am full-term with baby boy (who still remains nameless). I am 1 cm dilated, not effaced and baby is still riding high (contrary to my belief!). My appointments happen every week now.

My brother Jake just graduated high school. He was blessed with the beautiful, flooding rains for his graduation party this last weekend. Fortunately, neither their house or ours had any rain damage. But many places here in Waukesha weren't so lucky.

I have a ridiculous amount of work to do before I go on leave. Not sure it will all get done, but I am busting my butt to try to make sure it does. I am currently the only one who knows how to do the projects I am doing, so they could be in trouble if I leave early!

Kami is Kami. The joy of our lives. She keeps us on our toes, but she also keeps us very entertained. She's very smart and just has so much personality. I have a fear of not being able to give our second child nearly as much love as I do for our first born. I can't imagine having to share Kami's time with another child. But when it actually happens, I am sure it will be better than I can ever imagine and will bring out more love than I could ever think to possess. Kami is going to be a great big sister and I think she will be a great role model for her brother. She is soooo smart that I think she'll help us to teach him the things he needs to know. And watching Kami interact with her baby brother will probably only add another element to our love for her. We are already constantly watching every move she makes... You have to, or you might miss one of her millions of cute things she does each day.

Speaking of cute... Our daycare lady sent an email today with the cutest thing. "Jack and Kami were sitting together and Jack said "Are you thinking what I am thinking Kam? Let's get married." Kami replied with a smile and a very enthusiastic "Yeah"."