It's been so long and sooooo much has changed since the last time I posted an update, I don't even know where to begin! And it is very funny to me that it has actually taken me over a week to get this finished. I plan to continue updating this blog on a regular basis (hopefully more often that once a month) because it's really the easiest way for me to document our life with Mac.
We welcomed James McCarthy Huntley on Friday, September 30th at 11:59pm. He was born at Baptist Medical Center South in Jacksonville. I was induced that morning. Ryan and I left our house around 5:30 that morning. It was really a crazy feeling knowing that the next time we came home we would have our baby! Our last picture at home as a family of 3 (Charlie got in on the pic).
Mac's Birthday
Warning...this may have TMI. I really don't think it will, but I have lost any sense of modesty and privacy in the last 18 28 days. So, Kinsley, consider yourself warned.
We got to the hospital and I was admitted around 6am. I think Ryan and I were both pretty nervous since we had absolutely no idea what to expect. Two nurses were there to get all the monitors, the IV, etc. all set up. I have to say every single nurse we had was AMAZING. After they left and we were just waiting for our parents and Dr. Brock to get there...and Ryan was googling "elective inductions" to see if our insurance would pay for it. Ha! We found out that morning that I was having an "elective" induction...I guess that's why I didn't really know why I was being induced before my due date. And let me tell you, I would do it that way again...in a heartbeat! The nurse checked me around 9am and I was still only dilated to 1cm. Dr. Brock came in around 10am and said that we would start with Cytotek (a pill inserted near my cervix...I had never heard of it before). I had to lay almost flat for 2 hours. At noon Ryan and Mrs. Huntley noticed that I was having contractions. I didn't even know, they just noticed it on the monitor. Then, for the next 2 hours I had to walk around. I started really feeling the contractions while I was up walking around.
Around 2pm the nurse came in to check me again (at that point I was reallllly, realllllly feeling the contractions :)...still 1 cm. I was frustrated because the nurse and Dr. Brock had told me that if I hadn't dilated anymore they would try the Cytotek one more time. (Which meant that it would have to be another 4 hours before they could start the Pitocin). But, my contractions were lasting so long with very little time between them they decided to go ahead and start the pitocin. At this point I was in lots of pain! The contractions were lasting at least 2 minutes and I had about 90 seconds of relief between them. The nurse said I could get the epidural at any time...all I needed was to be in pain...and I was. I was apprehensive to get it so early (as far as I knew I was still only 1cm). She assured me that the epidural would not slow the labor down and that I would still be numb regardless of how long it took me to have the baby. So, I got the epidural around 4:30. ahhhhhhh. From here, I kinda lose track of time (everything I previously typed I had sent in a text message, ha!)...I was feeling pretty good! The next time I was checked, I was dilated 6 or 7 cm...or maybe I was 4, I can't remember. They turned off the pitocin to let me progress on my own. Dr. Brock was going out for dinner and told the nurse she would need 15 minutes to make it back. A couple of times the baby's heart rate would drop and I had to get oxygen...
Brad and Lindsey and Jason and Stephanie dropped in for a visit. They left to wait it out at our house (and let Charlie out). Shortly after they left, Mama and Daddy and Mr. and Mrs. Huntley left to grab a quick dinner at Zaxby's. They weren't gone long when I found out I was at 9cm. We waited a little bit, then called to let them know since I seemed to be progressing pretty quickly at this point. I told Ryan that I would hate for them to have spent the entire day at the hospital and then not be there when our baby was born. Not long after everyone got back to the hospital (and then went to the waiting room) I started "practice pushing" (after I had an epidural bolus...or 2). I literally could not feel a thing. nothing. I had been "practice pushing" for about 45 minutes. During this time another nurse came in to set the room up for delivery. I had decided that I must not be pushing very well since I was having to practice so much. Next thing I know, the nurse called for everyone to come in for me to deliver. When I saw Dr. Brock walk in, I thought--holy crap, I'm about to have a baby! It was crazy and nothing like I was expecting. Ryan asked Dr. Brock if the baby would be born in September or October (it was around 11:50 when she got there). One of the nurses (jokingly) said we need to deliver this baby in September since September 30 is the age cutoff date for a lot of sports and school. And that was exactly what happened. McCarthy was born at 11:59 pm! The whole process what crazy and not at all like I was expecting.
James McCarthy Huntley was born September 30, 2011 at 11:59 pm. He weighed 7 lbs., 4 oz. and was 20 3/4 inches long. He is PERFECT! It was incredible! And it still is! Mac makes us happier than we could ever have imagined. We are so blessed.
Here are a few more pictures from the hospital:
Everyone meeting Mac for the first time--
Mama and Daddy
Mr. and Mrs. Huntley
Lindsey
Stephanie
Jason
Brad
Ryan giving Mac his 1st bottle. I'm breastfeeding, but had to supplement with formula because of the hematoma on his head (you can kinda see it in the picture). The pediatrician was concerned that as the bump goes down, his bilirubin would increase. He only had 1 pee diaper in a little over 24 hours, so the decision was made to give him some formula (in addition to the breast milk).
McCarthy his in "going home outfit"...tie-dyed by Kinsley.
Strapped in and ready to go!
Leaving the hospital
Ryan, Mac and Charlie settling in at home!
More pictures to come...We came home on Monday, October 3rd. Mama and Daddy stayed with us for the rest of the week, but made a quick trip (ha!!) back to Iuka for homecoming at the high school (Kinsley was on the Homecoming Court). Brooke and Josh flew in on Friday and Mama and Daddy, Beebs, Nikki, Nate and Kinsley came in on Saturday/Sunday to meet Mac.
To all my friends and family that are having babies...just wait, it is WONDERFUL!
