Thursday, November 3, 2011 Brayden Shawn Larson was born at 6:39 a.m., weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz. and measuring 20 1/2 inches long. We are all so thrilled to have another BOY! It has been 11 years since Kade was born. I kept all this boy stuff hoping for the past 6 years to have another boy and finally, our prayers have been answered. My pregnancy has been weird and I've felt detached from this baby. Yet, Brayden kept very active in the womb (more so than any of my other babies). I think it was his way of saying, "Mama, I'm coming & I can't wait to meet you!" Well, that activity also got him into a little bit of trouble. Here's the story:
I was admitted to the hospital at about 11:30 p.m. on 11-2-11. My labor pretty much went from active & regular to very irregular, but because I was strep b+, they kept me and decided an induction would be best. That way I could for sure be on the antibiotic for 4 hours before delivery. While I was waiting in triage to get a room in labor & delivery, they had me hooked up to monitors and several times the baby's heart decelerated. Because of this, they wouldn't let me walk around. The bed was so uncomfortable & poor Don was trying to sleep in a chair. I was sitting there and felt another one of those full body movements, but didn't think much of it because this baby has done that for several months now. It was after 5:00 a.m. by the time they finally got me into a LD room. Since we were looking at an induction, Don decided to go home and get a long sleeved shirt since it was so cold in the hospital. While he was gone, everything happened. Dr. Huish decided it would be best to break my water to get my labor progressing more naturally. At this point he didn't want to use pitocin because of the baby's heart decelerations. Just after he broke my water, he felt a bottom. Oh no! This baby turned breech (I think that's what I felt in triage). Next, Dr. Huish had the nurses bring in an ultrasound machine to verify position and sure enough baby had turned breech. Dr. Huish then tried to turn the baby, but with no luck. Then he informed the nurses to prep me for a c-section. I was scared and in disbelief. I even questioned whether the baby could turn again, but Dr. Huish said that for such a good sized baby and with my water broken, it wouldn't happen. I called Don and had him rush back. As soon as Don came back, they had him put on scrubs, booties, and cap and sent him to an adjoining room to wait. Then they had me walk into the OR, set the spinal block in (which took almost immediate effect!), strapped me down and brought Don into the OR. Don held my hand all during the delivery, which he was able to stand and watch the whole thing. He wasn't even grossed out & thought it was interesting. In no time Dr. Huish delivered the baby--which he discovered that the cord was wrapped around his neck and that he had run out of cord & got caught in the breech position (Brayden was having too much fun in there!). Don was the first to whisper and tell me that it was a BOY! I cried some very happy tears right there on the OR table. Then they brought Brayden around the shield for me to meet him. I reached out and grabbed his hand and then he let out a good little cry. Oh what a sweet sound!
Thursday, November 10, 2011 was Don's 39th birthday. We didn't do anything grand-- just dinner at home and a quick little party with my mom & Robert & Stephanie (who also came to meet our new addition). The kids were excited to celebrate with cake & ice cream. I did happen to go shopping for a gift before the baby came. I got Don a nice clock for his new office. He was grateful and really appreciated it.
Thursday, November 17, 2011 was my 37th birthday. It was a weird birthday--filled with mishaps. Through it all, I kept a good attitude and made the best of things. First of all, Rachelle was sick with a fever and stayed home from school--that right there cut into any plans for celebrating by going out to lunch. Don went to work early & put in just a half day at work so that he could drive me to my 2 week post c-section doctor appointment. I had Don take us to Fry's to get some flowers to thank Dr. Huish and the nurses at Banner Gateway (that's just what I do after having each of my babies). I sent Don into the store & when he came back, the van wouldn't start. We had some problems with our battery the week before, but thought that since we checked the levels and put water in there it would be okay. We tried to jump start it with the help of a lady parked next to us with no luck. We called Brian and in minutes both Brian and Paul came to our rescue. We tried jumping it one more time and this time with good luck. Don drove me straight to the doctor's office, dropped baby & me off, then went straight to Autozone with Rachelle & Kristen to take care of the battery. My dr. visit went well & Dr. Huish was pleased with how well I was healing, but my blood pressure was elevated. Could this be from the stress of barely getting to my appointment on time? To be sure, they checked it again and it was still high (I need to get back in for a re-check and go from there). My appointment went very quickly and then I had to wait for Don & the girls to get back. The best part of my day was getting the approval to drive again! Yay! That was so hard to rely on others to get our kids around to all their activities, get to dr. appointments, etc. On our way home we picked up some FREE lunches at Liberty Market and Joe's BBQ. I had to take advantage of some the many freebies for people with birthdays. Then when I got home, I was excited to bake the butter braid that I ordered from our school's fund raiser. Then I read the directions and it said to let it rise for about 8-10 hours before baking. Great! So much for that! The butter braid was going to be my "birthday" cake. Then Laura Gunnell came to the rescue and brought us some pumpkin & cream cheese rolls & that was what we used. Don joked about getting me a new battery for my birthday--that what he wanted to get me wasn't available in stores and he wasn't able to get me a present. I've been wanting a food dehydrator, so now I just need to pick one out and order it. Weird day--thank goodness birthdays only come once a year!
Thursday, November 24, 2011 was Thanksgiving day! This year we have so many things to be grateful for. With the arrival of Brayden, we've sure stopped to think about what really matters most in life-- FAMILY. He sure has blessed our home. He's just a little piece of heaven on earth!
We spent the day at Kymra's, just down the street. Mom & Dad made the trip to be with us. Brandon & Melissa & girls came up from Gilbert. In addition, Uncle Cal and Brian & Paul's friend Tina joined us for the feast. The kids had a pretty good day and only had a couple of scuffles with Eliana. The had a great time playing with Eliana & Brynlee and playing with Kymra's guinea pig, Marley. Nice day!
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