Welcome to the World
Crewson Michael Smith
January 4, 2016
3:04 am
7lb 8oz 20 3/4 in
In honor of our son's 1 week birthday I am finally getting our delivery story and announcement up on the blog.
The week before Crewson was born we had been assured that little man was just "awfully comfy" in there and we had planned the rest of our appointments including an induction appointment for January 11 to talk about how he would be forced into this world. It was that Saturday night, January 2 that he made his own plans. I was lying in bed at 10:30, reassuring my family that nope; there was no baby yet when my water broke. Casey and I called the hospital, gathered our things and went on in. It was a quick trip through triage to confirm that we were "in labor" and then off to settle into our room. At this time we had no idea how settled we would get.
I tried to "labor" for 4 hours through the night into early morning but no progress was made so at 4:00 am they started my epidural and pitocin. We literally "labored" through the entire day Sunday, turning the pitocin on and off because of dips in Crewson's heart rate and even discussing whether or not a C-section would be necessary. Basically, Crewson had broken my water but my body was not ready to go into labor. At 9pm they restarted pitocin for the last time. Later, I was checked and found to be 7 cm and told I would labor for another 4 hours and then recheck. It wasn't long after that Crewson's heart rate dipped to 66 and while nurses rushed the room I was checked one final time before being wheeled off to the OR when I was found to be 10 cm and ready to go. Thanks to our doctor and an amazingly patient nursing staff I was allowed and encouraged to have a "regular" delivery and avoided the OR. It was a stressful hour of pushing while we closely watched Crewson's heart rate with each contraction that we finally met our son at 3:04am on Monday! Our sweet family literally stayed from Saturday night through to Monday morning waiting for our son's arrival. Thanks to the new facilities at our hospital, our family literally took over the waiting room that weekend and even threw a Panther football party that Sunday! I, personally didn't witness this excitement but I did receive visitors during commercial breaks! (wink wink)
First family picture
Our stay at the hospital was absolutely amazing. My famous last words "I'd stay here another day or two" did come true when Crewson's blood sugars dropped on day 3 and we were allowed to stay in our same room with Crewson for another day to level out his sugar levels. The nursing staff was amazing. I can't speak highly enough of the women and men that took care of us that week. Not only did they make sure that I was comfortable and encouraged to ask questions about feeding and my healing but they put Crewson and my husband at top priority as well. I really felt like the staff was a part of a team and they came together to provide us with such amazing care during our time there. It sounds crazy but I honestly look forward to growing our family again in the coming years with such an amazing unit and staff.
Casey holding Crewson for the first time
Getting ready to head home from the hospital on Thursday January 8
Seeing our little boy in his room for the first time
Looking back on a week ago I wouldn't do a thing differently. I tried really hard to stay positive and look for the blessings in my pregnancy and not the opportunities to complain and I personally think that helped me stay flexible and encouraged throughout the process. I think it also helped me remain calm and ready throughout our delivery. I mean.. 27 hours of labor and I wouldn't change a thing. It's called Jesus and pain meds! Of course there was morning sickness, stretch marks and sleepless nights but there is also a baby boy that I get to hold in my arms now. There were moments that Casey and I got to witness God's miracles here on earth. We got to cry together as we were told "It's a boy". We got to cling to one another in the delivery room as our son entered this world. We got to do this thing called life together and create a child together and become a family that only we, together could create. Now we get to continue our walk into parenthood holding hands as we navigate this next season in life.
As we wrap up our first week people have asked "how are you holding up?", "aren't you exhausted?", "i'm impressed you're already doing so much." Well, I'd like to give credit where credit is due. I am the way I am and I have been able to be the mom I want to be because of the man beside me and the family behind us and the friends behind them. My husband has always been my strength and encouragement. There's never been a day that he hasn't blessed me and given me the love I needed. Our pregnancy and delivery was no different. He has loved me and encouraged me. He has bent over backwards and gone above and beyond for our family. He went from being the man that was going to pass out in the corner of the delivery room to the man that coached me through the whole thing and hasn't stopped. He's strong and steady, he is infatuated with our son and he is already leading our family in the way of the Lord.
Thank you to our family and friends. To those that were at the hospital as we checked in, to my mom that was my bedside nurse and Casey's tap out partner. To our moms that tended to our every need and our dads that kept Casey encouraged and loved on me. To Crewson's aunts, uncles and cousins who made trips to and from the hospital awaiting his arrival, drew pictures to hang on our room walls and stayed in there for the long haul ready to love on us and Crewson once he arrived. To the family that traveled hours to be there for the event and to those that could have/should have gone home to rest but stayed just because they didn't want to miss a thing. Our friends that brought bagels, treats and sweet gifts. Those that held our hands and our baby boy. I've never felt so loved and honored and treasured in my entire life. It takes a village and our village is like no other. I can't wait to bring up our little man in this community.
To my Heavenly Father, my Savior, my Counselor and my King. Thank you. Thank you for blessing me with such a treasure. I know he is only mine for a season and I promise to point him to you every day of my life. I never knew what love was until this little boy looked up at me on that day. He is teaching me so much about love and the love you must feel for us. The sacrifice you gave for us. We are such broken people and you gave your Son to save us.
