Finley's Birth-day

Romans 8:28 (AMP)
We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. 

I started this entry the week after Finley arrived and finished it about 3 months later. It has taken me a while to try to get that wonderful day into words, and I am sure I will add a few things here and there as I think of them. So here's what you've all {hey mom!} been waiting for. This is the story of Finley Hutton Day's Birth Day.

After much prayer and sorting through emotions (was I scared of being induced? Scared of labor in general? What exactly was holding me back?) I decided I wanted to be induced on Thursday, February 9. Funny thing was that when Dr. Hamrang mentioned inducing me the week before I asked for Thursday since it was exactly a week after my due date and that is how long I wanted to wait before I induced labor {see, my mama instinct had already kicked in!). I had been having good contractions throughout the day and night Monday and Tuesday, so I at least felt like I was making progress on my own and that we just needed a little kick to help Finley come. I was calling Dr. Hamrang's office to tell them I wanted to go in the next day at the same time they were calling me to see why I hadn't shown up for my induction. I explained that I was not ready that day but would be there the next morning if they could squeeze me in. Thankfully, they could. So the date was set. February 9 - one week after my due date just like I always said - we were going in to meet Finley. I was at total peace with the decision.

Chris and I woke up at 4:30 (during the very pitch black morning) to get ready for check in at 6am. I had been up most of the night with contractions, so I felt ready. We were both calm for the day ahead and the drive to the hospital was peaceful. The night slowly turned to day as we drove to StoneCrest. We talked about how Chris had prayed we wouldn't have a crazy middle of the night delivery where he's running around like crazy trying to get stuff while I am contracting and how God answered even the most simple prayer already, on top of the many hundred others we had prayed since finding out we were pregnant.

We got situated at the hospital and said a prayer for me, staff, etc and got the show started at about 8:30. I was in no rush because I had this feeling that I wouldn't labor long so I wanted to soak up every minute. When I was checked for the first time I was already at a 5 - hello! I had made progress since our dr appointment Tuesday afternoon when I was still at 3. Yay!

The slow pitocin drip was started at 8:30am and my water broke on it's own a couple hours later - already an answer to one prayer! Mom, Shelly, and Rachel were in the room when it happened. It caught me completely off guard, but was a relief knowing I wasn't going to have to have that done! Needless to say, that cleared everyone out of the room fairly quickly because I was in go mode :)

Since my water was broken the cushion was gone for my contractions and they were pretty intense. I labored through them for about about 2 hours (my favorite position was sitting Indian style at the end of the bed) and then decided it was time for my epidural. Ahh, sweet relief. The epidural was painless (they did a great job filling me in on everything they were doing) and I was feeling good after I got it. So good that I rested for about another 2 hours. When I woke up I had the sensation to push. And yup - it was GO time!

Kerri and Kristen (my wonderful, fabulous, amazing nurses) did a great job explaining everything to me. We played tug of war with a sheet so I could push better - and boy, did I! Finley did everything he needed to do and we were ready for the BIG push in no time. But, Dr. Hamrang was with another patient who was ready just minutes before I was. So, I had to stop pushing. And wait. Whew, that was not easy. I was very patient but there was lots of prayer in that room. Not only for me, but I prayed for the lady Dr. Hamrang was with that everything would go smooth and fast so she could get in with me! Right about the time I was starting to ask why the nurses couldn't deliver Finley because he was ready and so was I, it was time. Dr. H came in the door, scrubbed up, and 2 contractions of pushing later at 3:27pm Finley made his debut screaming! I have never loved hearing a baby cry so much as I did that moment.

After hearing Finley cry I heard Dr. Hamrang laughing, then I heard Kerri tell Kristen she was soaked, and everyone starts taking bets on how big he is. First guess I hear is "10 lbs 2 oz" --- WHAT?! Then I see this HUGE baby. I just birthed HIM?! Oh.My.Gosh. No ugly tears, just complete shock. No wonder I could feel him in my rib cage, on both sides of my abdomen, and anywhere else he could possibly squeeze. He was so long! And so juicy! They wrapped him up and gave him to me. Boy, was he was heavy! I stared into those eyes (they were blue, just like I wanted!), saw those squishy cheeks and lost it. This was our son. I remember looking at Chris and saying,"Good job, man." Finley grabbed my finger and my heart just melted. I was his mama! He was the sweet little baby growing inside of me - his tiny fingernails, toenails, perfect eyebrows like his daddy, little baby feet - every little detail of this precious boy was perfectly made. Psalm 139 in the flesh was in my arms! I checked out his long fingers, his big feet with long toenails, and his head with that sweet little hair. I was in love. And it made me love Chris even more seeing him hold Finley. What a proud dad! He was totally absorbed.

Everything was kind of a blur from that point on. I do remember asking Chris to pray the placenta would come out and he just laughed and told me he was looking at it in a bowl. Ha! I just birthed an almost 11lb baby and I was concerned about my placenta of all things!

After all the pictures, visits, etc. (I do love my family but next time Chris and I will make a point to get more time in just the 3 of us before the room starts spinning with visitors and I watch my baby get passed around the room, whew). That night at about 10pm it hit me. I.was.exhausted. A tired like I had never felt in my life. And I had a sweet boy in my arms and another that never left my side that made me a mama. I cannot think of a better gift!

And of course, it wouldn't be my blog post if I didn't brag on the hubs a bit :) Chris was phenomenal the day Finley was born. Cool, calm, and collected (some of you are probably wondering if I am talking about the same guy, and yes I am). He was everything I needed him to be. Quiet, calm, supportive, and encouraging. With no training whatsoever he was my coach along with Kerri and Kristen. He was command central - keeping everyone in the loop of what was going on (Jaime made me a sheet of Finley's birth day events so I could see my progress after - such a great idea!). Since I couldn't eat, he didn't eat. When it came time to latch Finley on and learn how to breastfeed he was more attentive than I since he could tell I was exhausted, sore, overwhelmed, loopy - you name it, I felt it - and that was a HUGE help for the next few days when we were all trying to get the hang of it. He also wrote down the feedings on the sheet, changed diapers, greeted guests - all on very little sleep. And did I mention he still had clients to deal with, too? Yup, I have the BEST husband. It's times like that when you see this person you have been with for almost 11 years in a whole new perspective that changes everything. Your entire dynamic. You are now both responsible for this life you created together. It's not about just you two together. You are a true family. A mom. A dad. A baby you do not know but who will teach you something every day {not only about them but yourself and each other}. Some days it is just as tough as it is wonderful. So wonderful I will write an entry about that transition later :) But it is better than I could have ever imagined.

So there it is. The story of Finley's birth. An amazing day that made us a party of 3 - a family. I was fortunate enough to have my friend Stephanie there to take pictures. What a gift!

The timeline Jaime made from the text she got from Chris. Thanks Chris was certainly command central!

Our last picture as a family of 2, taken when we got to the hospital that morning. 

No wonder this boy was still up in my ribcage even the day I delivered! 22 inches, hello!

Chris filling out the paper work

This begins the pictures my sweet friend Stephanie took of Finley's Birth Day

He's here! My first picture with Finley

 This was when I told Chris, good job!

 See, I don't joke about his weight. Let's round that to 11 since he came out of the chute!

 no pictures, please. I am not properly dressed!

 Love the anticipation in these since I didn't get to see everyone's reactions!

 He's HOW BIG?!

 Proud daddy!

 Showing Finley off to the paparazzi

 Our wonderful nurse and friend Kerri. We love her.

Our first family picture. Stephanie brought this to me the night after I had Finley and I lost it. Our family. Our new normal. Our lives have changed so much. And I wouldn't change it for the world!