The House That Jack Built: March 2009

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Introducing....

Sawyer Nicholas Ross

The newest member of our family, who decided to surprise us on Sunday by arriving twelve days early. Oh, and by having so much hair!

My labor started on Saturday night, but I had convinced myself that the contractions must been Braxton-Hicks because we were certainly not ready to have a baby so soon. I woke up on Sunday with painful contractions, but again, we were not ready so it must still be false labor... We went out for breakfast, visited some friends at the hospital who had just had their baby, did some shopping, etc. All the while I felt the contractions growing in intensity, and yet I continued to deny the fact that I might actually be in labor. Finally I called the midwife to check in and she reassured me that since I was able to have the conversation with her, it must be false labor. We decided I would rest and drink some water and see what happened. Suddenly it occurred to me that I just might be having this baby after all, so frantically I whipped up and emailed lesson plans to my sub (this was supposed to be my last week at work). By then I realized that the contractions were the real deal and as soon as Brent came home from a meeting, we made arrangements to head to the Birth Center. We arrived at 6:30pm and Sawyer was born at 7:47. Cutting it close once again. I guess that's how we roll...

The birth was fast and furious, and the midwife and nurse were wonderful support. Brent helped me manage the pain naturally and we definitely felt more like we knew what we were doing this time around. We couldn't have picked a better place than the Birth Center- such a different experience than a hospital birth- and they let us go home that night.

Sawyer is settling into his new surroundings and Jack is (slowly) getting used to sharing the spotlight with his baby brother. Thanks to all our friends, neighbors, and family who are feeding and supporting us during this time.