Hello! Big news! Our little bundle of blue decided to make his entrance 5 weeks early...and let me tell you, his birth story is one for the books. When I tell you every step of the whole situation could not have been written better in a movie, I am not exaggerating. If you want to hear an entertaining story...let the games begin.
On the morning of Monday March 9, Jordan [my husband] was set to leave town for a 4 day work conference. His flight was scheduled to takeoff around 7:30ish. As you know, I have a toddler already, so being awake by 6 am is pretty standard in our household. Axel and I woke up at about 6:15 and went into the bathroom to "hang with daddy" [i.e. me sit on the floor for a minute and catch my bearings before Jordan leaves for the week] while he got ready to leave for his work trip. Everything was totally normal up until this point. At approx 6:15a when Jordan was preparing to call the uber, I thought some of my water might have broken, but then I also thought I am 8 months pregnant and peeing your pants is not super uncommon at this stage...I know it's gross. I told Jordan and we assessed the situation and decided that even if I were to go into labor it would likely be a very long process like it was for Axel [literally a 3 week process] and if he needed to get back from Vegas, he would have time. WRONNNGG. This is how it actually went down:
6:30am: Jordan leaves house and heads to airport after we both agreed that I probably was not in real labor. Disclaimer: Jordan was sooo willing to stay if I was concerned, but I pushed him to go b/c I knew how important his work trip was. I did not want false labor to cause issues for him so I made him go. No need to hate on him for making the decision to leave...I drove that choice :)
6:45: Called on call doctor and let her know I am pretty sure I am in real labor now. My contractions started right at 6:40ish.
6:54: Called my mom and asked her to come over to the house to be with Axel so I could go to the hospital. At this point I still thought this would be a slow process so I had not yet called Jordan to tell him to come back.
7:00: Contractions are now 90 seconds apart and excruciating so I called Jordan and asked him to get back home ASAP so we could go to the hospital. Jordan then proceeds to sprint the hell out of the airport terminal...probably making Usain Bolt look like a slow runner.
7:05: Mom arrives. Still in denial about the progression of my labor...I went to take a shower while I waited for Jordan figuring that it might be the last one for a few days. I am glad I did this lol.
7:30: Jordan gets home after being in traffic. I am now literally on the floor crawling around trying not to die of pain...holding my breath as to not scare Axel. Then, while laying in said fetal position on the floor, my precious Axe man is climbing on me because he wants me to pick him up. So here I am in the worst pain I have ever been in and I have to then deny my boy cuddles, which literally broke my heart. I am sure many other mamas can relate to this.
7:32: In the car and headed for the hospital. It is DC rush hour at this time. If you know, you know. Waze says we are 24 minutes from the hospital. Let me tell you. The longest 24 minutes in the world. The most excruciating pain. Fully convinced baby was going to be born in the car.
During this 24 minute ride, my amazing husband James Bonded the sh** out of our car. *Safely* ran about 10 red lights, weaved through a bunch of momos who literally don't know how to drive and even tried to get THREE DIFFERENT COPS to either give us an escort or just drive me to the hospital...all of which refused. Note to those 3 cops who were very unhelpful: I hope this situation never ever happens to one of your wives or daughters...you would be so upset knowing that they were not "protected or served."
7:56ish: Hubby pulls the car up to the hospital, sprints inside, flags down help. A wheelchair is literally ran out to greet me. Honestly I don't even know how I got into the chair. It is all a blur at this point. They took me straight up to labor and delivery where 5 L&D nurses were waiting for us. This incredible team of angels managed to get me undressed, in a gown and hooked up to an IV/baby monitor in probably no more than 2 minutes flat. All while I was bent over in excruciating pain...so basically I was useless dead weight and they managed to get it done. I am forever grateful to these superhuman nurses.
**Meanwhile I am begging for an epidural like my life depends on it.
8:00ish: Doctor comes in, does an exam and very calmly looks at me to say what we really all knew, but did not want to accept: "Alright Alex, it's too late for an epidural, he is literally right here...you can do this." I have never ever in my life been so terrified and in so much pain, but you gotta do what you gotta do...right?
8:37am: Beckham Max made his arrival into the world. 6 lbs 1 oz and 20 inches of absolute perfection.
More to come in future posts:
...What happened to my face during labor? I'll give you a hint: as my sister in law put it, looks like I got attacked by a pack of vampires...and she was not wrong. Thanks Alexa :). Pictures to follow in my next post.
...How Axe man is adjusting to being a big brother
...Being a mom of two under two.
Pictured below: Beckham looking freaking adorable in a newborn hat that is way to big for his preemie body :). Sorry mom, I know you're not going to like this picture, but I think its hilarious!
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