Lincoln's Story...

For some time now I have been meaning to write out Lincoln's arrival story. He is almost a month old and I figure if I don't write this out tonight I may never get it done. This may be long, so do not feel obligated to read a story that could be completely boring to you (this is more for documentation purposes than anything).

Wednesday December 15th, I was admitted to the hospital for a scheduled inducement the following morning. Being away from our families I was grateful to have my Sister Carrie in town for Lincolns labor and delivery. When we arrived at about 5:30PM that evening they had planned on giving me Cervadil to help soften my cervix. But, the Cervadil ending up being unnecessary since I was already dilated to a 2.5 that evening so I was given some sleeping meds that night and Derek and I had a peaceful restful night in the hospital. At 6:30AM my doctor arrived, broke my water and started me on the pitocin. By lunch time (around 12PM) I was dilated to about a 6 and they thought our little guy would be arriving n no time. I was really feeling the contractions so soon after I received an epidural. At this point we all thought the time was near. Well apparently I was enjoying the time and in minimal pain because as time went by I was completely oblivious to the fact that 5-6 hours flew by in no time and I had not progressed AT ALL since lunch time. One thing I knew for sure was that I was not wanting to have to have a C-Section but, when the doctor came in and had informed me that it was beginning to look like it was the only way we were going to get our little guy out, I was sad and broke in to tears. Honestly, I have not cried like that in a long time, I suppose after being "in labor" since 6:30AM that morning, really makes a woman (and Derek and my sister Carrie) emotional. The Doctor informed us that Lincoln had been pushed against the Cervix for such a long time that the Cervix it self had began swelling and that was why he was unable to get past it. He told us our options but, also told us if we wanted to try a few more things for a bit he would be willing to do so since baby Lincoln's heart beat was good. We of course asked in for some time and at that point after many tears, prayers and a blessing from Derek, the Doctor returned and started trying a few more things to help us to start progressing again. About an hour after the fact I had still not progressed and was convinced that I was going to have a C-Section, Dr. Gilcreast was so wonderful and told me he was going to try one more thing to see if he could get us progressing so he had me push as he attempted to push the cervix a bit to get it passed the baby's head. With a great surprise it was a success and with a smile on my Doctors face he told me it was looking like we were going to have this baby vaginally. He then left us for another hour or so and returned to find out that I had dilated to a 7.5 and to get ready to push. And once again the emotions ran wild and I stared to burst in tears again (this time tears a joy). After all these tears I thing I was emotionally shot therefore, my energy level was shot as well. After pushing for about an hour I thought I was going to pass out. In-fact at one point I was pushing and stopped in the middle of it kind out of it (saying who knows what and having no clue what was coming out of my mouth) so my doctor thankfully gave me Oxygen so I wouldn't pass out. Also, another nurse came in the room and started really coaching me on my pushing and that's when things really started moving forward that I knew the little guy would soon be in my arms. And at about 8:29 our Lincoln Ammon arrived bright eyed and healthy as can be. He weighed 8 lbs 2 ounces and lost the normal pound after a week but, has since gained it all back.

Lincoln has been such a blessing in our home. Its fun seeing Derek interact with him. Derek has been so supportive and helpful and I couldn't be more grateful. Lincoln is nursing well and only wakes up 1-2 times per night. He makes the most adorable faces and I keep trying to catch them on camera but, he makes them so fast that its been impossible to document. Unless he is hungry, cold or has a dirty diaper he is content and sweet as can be. My sister Carrie was in town for three weeks and was able to really enjoy our sweet baby. She was kind to take him for the night and feed him a bottle (thank goodness for the breast pump and for our contented baby that will take the bottle and nurse), that really helped me recover and feel a bit like my self again by getting a full nights rest. Derek has also given me the night off by feeding him the breast pumped milk and that was oh so wonderful. Derek is a wonderful Daddy and if it wasn't for him we wouldn't have 90% of the pictures we have since Derek is the one pulling out the camera all the time to snap so more adorable pictures of out little guy. It so sweet seeing Derek and Lincoln interact and has only increased the love I feel for both of them. Going though all of this really makes my heart go out to those single parents and has made me so grateful for my loving and supportive husband.

Well, if you have made it this far I am sorry for the long and sappy post. I will be posting more pictures of our little guy that is growing too fast tomorrow.

Oh, and WHATS IN THE NAME Lincoln Ammon? Well, Lincoln was just a name we both liked but, we realized (just two days ago) also that it was infact at Lincoln beach in Utah County that Derek first told me he loved me so that kind of made his name even more special to us. And Ammon is Dereks middle name so we decided to pass it onto his first Son.