Catch up - Hospital Stay

I started this a long time ago and meant to post it but never got around to it.

I went to the doctor on Wednesday July 23 for one of my last regular check ups. I had an ultra sound to check on the baby's size because I had steadily been measuring ahead. The u/s said the baby weighed 8 lbs 7 oz! I was not dilated at all so my doctor gave me 2 options: schedule my c-section or be induced on Sunday night. Even though I know most births don't go as planned, I was really disappointed to hear my options. I had imagined that I would go into labor at home then Jay and I would run around frantically and gather our things. We would arrive at the hospital to have a quick, painless natural birth and a perfect baby boy!? What? OK... so I said I imagined that.
Anyway, after many tears I chose to be induced on Sunday night. Jay and I got there at 9 pm and just knew we would have our baby on Monday. Monday came and went and we still had no baby... who ever heard of an induction not working?! My doctor took me off of the pitocin for an hour and let me eat (thank goodness) then it was back to the drawing board. By Tuesday morning I had not slept for about 48 hours. Good news though... I was FINALLY dilated 1 cm. I know that seems like a joke to most but I was actually excited about it. The doctor broke my water around 8 am and by 12:45 I was 6-7 cm and dying in pain. I had put off asking for an epidural because I was so afraid the doctor would check me and I would only be 2 cm. I didn't want to totally wuss out or to risk delaying my labor. When I heard the good news about how much I was dilated they couldn't get that anistesiologist in my room fast enough. Everything was smooth sailing after that.

Lennox arrived at 5:46 pm. The delivery went really well. It was actually a breeze... I couldn't feel a thing and I was SO HAPPY I couldn't feel a thing! Jay and I both kept saying... Thank God you had the epidural! When I first saw the baby I had such an overwhelming rush of emotions. I was so excited & relieved but also scared out of my mind. I couldn't believe that this was our baby & we were actually parents. My niece Avery looked at the pictures and asked me why I had that look on my face, was I sad? I think sadness is one of the only emotions I wasn't feeling at the time...

So many people came to visit us at the hospital. It was completely exhausting but we felt so special to see how many people care about us and wanted to celebrate Lennox's arrival. I think I was in a state of euphoria most of that time. I do have to say that Jay was the perfect husband. He did everything I wanted him to do without me having to ask and he didn't do anything I didn't want him to do. If you know me at all, you know that is quite an accomplishment! I have never felt closer to him than I did during those first few days after Lennox arrived.

My sister was able to stay with me at the hospital so Jay could go get some rest. Leah is an incredible sister. She took such good care of me the whole time. She had me stocked up on medicine, drinks, food, and other important things you need right after you have a baby. Thank goodness she was there because I think I had to ask her and my mom about 10,000 questions... not that that is any different than usual!

We left the hospital on Thursday around lunch. We just had to wrap up a few things before we left... like naming the baby. I'm still surprised that his name is Lennox but I do love it and I think it fits him.

Now Lennox is almost 6 weeks old. He is growing entirely too fast. I cannot get enough time holding him and staring at him and trying to get him to smile at me. He is just now getting used to sleeping by himself for any amount of time at all. For the first 5 weeks or so I just held him while he slept. I know that's totally impractical though.