He's Here!!

I know you all were waiting for nursery pictures, but those will have to wait.  We are awaiting the arrival of our glider rocker and then it will be complete.
BUT... that will have to wait a bit, because our beautiful son has made his arrival!!

Austin Michael Posey was born April 1, 2012 at 5:56 am.  He weighed in at 6 lbs 12 oz, and 21 inches long.  A quick picture to satiate your curiosity before delving into the birth story:

Looks just like his daddy doesn't he?

So here's the story:

Grandma Cindy arrived on March 22nd, and spent the week in St. Louis with me and John.  She was hoping and praying Austin would make his arrival before she had to return home on the 2nd of April.  While she waited (I had to finish my last week of work before going on maternity leave), Grandma was INCREDIBLY helpful around the house, painting the living room, making freezer meals, helping me finish buying the last minute baby items, and battling with shelving that just didn't want to hang on the wall.  She also had me bouncing on an exercise ball, walking all over the neighborhood (the dogs thoroughly enjoyed all the walks--especially the one to Ted Drewes, where they got to eat our melted, left over custard), jumping off steps, and even had me have 2 small glasses of wine.  Well, while the first glass didn't work, the second glass of wine must have. Grandma, Aunt Emily and I walked to the local wine bar with the dogs, and enjoyed a lovely evening of wine and an utterly delicious baked brie.  After returning home, grandma and I went to bed, while John went to have drinks with Uncle Jeff.  

While he was gone, I started feeling strong and regular contractions beginning at midnight.  By the time John got home at 1:45 am, I was sure this was it.  I waited to wake grandma, who woke on her own around 2 am.  I sent my doula (Hollie) a text I was in labor at 2:30 am.  My water broke at 3:10 am.  By 4 am we were on our way to the hospital, where Hollie met us.  We were in the labor and delivery room by 4:30.  Hollie was fantastic.  She coached John to help me breath, kept me centered and focused on my breathing, and suggested various positions to make me more comfortable.  

My doctor wasn't on call, and there was no time to call her.  Everyone was nervous about having the on call doctor, but he was AMAZING.  He let me labor on my own, literally sitting back in his chair repeating "You're doing great mom.  Nurse, just let me know when you need me."  After a short bit of actual pushing, the doctor told me "grab your baby, grab your baby and pull him onto your chest!"  So I reached and pulled little Austin out and up onto my chest.  He stayed on my chest for a whole hour, and even crawled his way over to nurse for a short bit!!  John got to cut the cord too!  John called his parents, and Grandma Cindy called Grandpa Eric to tell them the good news.

After getting weighed, measured, washed and foot printed, Austin was wrapped up and handed over to John.  It was pretty neat to see the look of amazement on John's face as he gazed at his son.  

Austin didn't have a name for the first 12ish hours of his life.  By the time we got up to the recovery room, John, and I were so tired, we took a nap before deciding on a name.  Grandma gave us some time to rest, despite the fact she needed to rest herself.  (I think she wandered around the hospital calling everyone to tell them the baby came while she was here!)  When we both woke from our naps, we went through our list of names, and narrowed it down to 2 names.  We picked middle names for each first name, and were then at an impasse.  John's 1st choice was my 2nd, and my 1st was his 2nd.  So... we did the only fair thing: we drew a name at random.  We put both names in, and picked one: Austin Michael it was!  We were both satisfied with the outcome.  

Grandma Cindy wanted to extend her stay a few extra days, since Austin decided to come on the last full day she was in town.  Unfortunately, changing her ticket was too much of a hassle.  So, with a heavy heart, she left the day after he was born (but not without making 1 last stop at the hospital to hold Austin a bit longer).  Aunt Emily was gracious enough to pick up and drop off grandma, as well as check on our dogs and cats while we were away.  

John and I were both ready to head home the next day, but Austin had to have various testing, his circumcision and photos taken, so we had to stay 2 more nights.  By the second evening, I was going stir crazy.  As John and Austin slept in the room, I wandered the halls.  John went home to sleep the second night.  He didn't sleep much at all the first night, and we knew we needed at least 1 of us who was well rested.

We (FINALLY) left the hospital on the 3d day.  We were welcomed eagerly by the dogs and cats. Everyone was gentle with Austin, sniffing gingerly.  (Lucy tried to get in a few licks, but was diverted). Austin (THANKFULLY) sleeps well with noise, even when Tracker barks at visitors at the door.  John and I are adjusting to getting only short bits of sleep (me more so than him, as I am breastfeeding).  

Overall, it's been a big adjustment, but a really good one.