Austin is Here!

Well it turns out I didn't have to wait for an ultrasound and induction, because Austin had bigger plans. He decided to come and join us 3 days early and I for one could not have been happier. Thursday night, September 2nd, I was just hanging out on the couch watching tv while Jeff made dinner and the contractions started. I had been having contractions for a few days, but they never got closer then 7 minutes apart so I figured it was just my body getting ready and there was no need to be alarmed. Thursday night was different. Within an hour I went from 10 minutes apart for 2 minutes apart and they were PAINFUL! Jeff had downloaded a contraction timer app on his phone and so we were keeping track of my progress. At our last dr appt Dr T had told us to come to the hospital when the contractions were 5 minutes apart lasting for 1 minute for one hour 5-1-1. Well I skipped from 10 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart so quickly that I started to worry that this kid was going to come while I was at my house. Jeff called Dr T to have him paged, but after about 5 minutes of waiting for a call back I knew we just had to get out the door to the hospital. I had my stuff in a pile, but I still had not fully packed my bag (procrastination at it's finest) so Jeff started throwing stuff in a bag. I was missing a lot of stuff , but it turns out I didn't need it anyways. Needless to say I never got to eat my dinner that night, but it was probably for the best because I didn't want to get sick during labor. We headed over to Reston Hospital and they admitted me to track my contractions and decide if I could stay or they would send me home. It turns out it was my lucky night because Dr T was on call and Tracey (Courtenay's sister) was assigned as my labor nurse. Tracey got me all settled in and quickly let me know that I would be staying. They started doing a lot of blood work and tests to see if I was a candidate for an epidural and thank God I was. Tracey was amazing and was able to get me the epidural within an hour when it would usually take much longer. At that point I was about 2 cm dialated and 80% effaced. Just a reminder I was 0 cm dialated 2 days prior. The epidural was amazing and I honestly don't know how people give birth without one. More props to them I guess. Mom, Mark, Kelly, and Mike showed up soon after we arrived and we all watched the Redskins game before I got some rest for the night. By about midnight I was 7 cm dilated and it was time to attempt to rest. The problem was that I was too excited to sleep. I was about to have to the best day of my life! Most of the night I just laid there watching the contraction screen and wondering what labor would be like. By about 5 am I knew it was almost time because I started feeling nausea. I hadn't eaten in about 12 hours and they wouldn't let me have anything to drink. Just italian ice and ice chips. I don't think I have ever been so thirsty in my life. I was tired at this point but my new nurse Megan said that it was time to get pumped up because I had a lot of work ahead of me. She told me that it takes the normal person about 1-3 hours to push the baby out. I assured her that this would be quick. My mom and Jeff were there to coach me the whole time and it was the most magical experience of my life. At 9:13 am on September 3rd Jeff and I welcomed the most precious little boy into this world. Austin Ragnvald Ervick weighed in at 9lbs 4.5 oz and was 21 inches long. Such a big and healthy boy! I don't think I can put into words the emotions that overcame Jeff and I at that very moment. He was the perfect creation of Jeff and I. After about an hour I was moved to my postpartum room where I could rest. At this point I was exhausted, but I still couldn't rest between all of the excitement and visitors. The next two days we were greeted by so many friends and family. We felt so loved! It has taken me so long to write this post because I didn't know how to explain the way this experience has changed me. I am different then I was 10 days ago. The birth of my son was so much more then I ever expected. Everyone played such an important part in bringing him into this world and we are eternally grateful. This little boy is so much more then I ever expected and Jeff and I can't wait to get to know him better.