Seems my boys always arrive with excitement. My first son (a.k.a The Boy, who will be three at the end of August) arrived 17 days early in the middle of Hurricane Irene (you can read his birth story here). Baby Boy #2 (which admittedly is not a great nickname…any suggestions on what his Internet name should be?) arrived during storm free weather, but with haste.
The word used by the nurses and doctors was “precipitous” and I was warned that if I should have any more children, everyone should know my last labor was fast. My water broke while we were getting The Boy ready for bed, and since my water had broken (which supposedly only happens to about 15 percent of women before labor starts…but I’m skeptical on this number b/c of my two labor experiences) with the first baby, I actually knew it was my water breaking this time (last time I was kind of hoping it was a bladder control issue!).
So we settled The Boy into bed and called the on-call doctor. Based my my history, which was a 12-hour labor with induction the first time around, she said it was up to me whether or not to labor at home or to come right to the hospital. We had to wait for my mother-in-law to come and to finish up packing the essentials in our bags, so we said we’d head to the hospital soon.
My contractions were steady at about 7 minutes and not too bad. Fast forward an hour or so and they were closer to 4 minutes apart and we were ready to go. Fast forward another few minutes while we were on the way to the hospital and they were coming hard and only 2 minutes apart. Yikes! The hubby picked up the pace and we made it to the hospital (which is several towns away) in 12 minutes, despite getting stuck behind some slooooow construction vehicles.
I had a contraction in the valet parking area and three more on the short trip up to the triage area where they check to see how far along you are. The pain was intense and there was some kind of emergency so the staff was scarce. I could barely stand and couldn’t get on the table, and the hubby was frantically trying to get someone to check me out.
It was a long few minutes until someone came in and when she checked me she was like, “The head is right there.” Then yet another contraction hit and with a panicked face, she was like, “Please, don’t push.” And I was like, “I’m trying not to push.” But this baby was coming!
Then things started happening really fast. My doctor hadn’t arrived at the hospital yet, so a bunch of nurses, a resident, a midwife, and the NICU doctor all squeezed into the tiny triage room with me, my husband, and all our bags. A handful of pushes later and an 8 lb 2 oz, 20.5 inches long baby boy was born, healthy and happy.
My two older sisters were supposed to be there for the birth. One made it in the middle and wasn’t allowed in (and couldn’t fit in the tiny room anyway) and the other arrived shortly after the birth. Needless to say, no one expected our little bundle of joy to arrive so fast. All the staff in the triage agreed it was a very exciting birth and that we certainly spiced up the night for them.
We’re home now and getting used to our new, bigger family. The Boy is such a sweet big brother, and the baby has been great so far too! Loving my time with the family, even with the expected sleep deprivation. Closing out the post with some pics.
Doesn’t sound like boy #2 is going to be one to wait around. Congrats on the happy, healthy addition.
Thanks, Jeff! He was certainly in a hurry to arrive, but seems pretty mellow since then. I guess time will tell…
Congrats, Katie on a healthy baby and safe delivery. Y’all make such a sweet family. Thanks for sharing. Looks like Boy will be a big help. Maybe he becomes Big Brother, and your newest becomes Boy. Just going with the B thing. LOL So glad everyone is okay. Rest every moment you can! L(
Thanks, Marsha! Good suggestion on switching the names. The Boy has been very helpful. He loves to say, “Helpful (his name) to the rescue,” and comes running in with the baby’s binky.
Congratulations, Katie! What a beautiful family.
Thanks, Matthew! 🙂
Well, that is exciting. I was told “don’t push” with my first and I remember thinking how impossible that was. I delivered so fast they assigned me my own nurse with our fourth! (I was always induced)
Congrats again, Katie. He’s precious and your growing family is rather adorable.
LOL, Kai! It is impossible not the push once you get to a certain point in the labor…never expected it to happen so fast. Now I know for the next one to get to the hospital at the first signs of labor!
Congratulation, Katie (and family!) Glad that even though his arrival was quick, that things went well.
Thanks, Mary!
Here’s to short labor! (I got lucky that way, also.)
I suggest calling the baby The Prince. Since he’ll always be No. 2,(=compensation…) and arrived like one who waits for no one.
Cheers for short labors! Much easier on my recovery than the first, more arduous labor.
I like The Prince…definitely will put that one the short list.
SO precious! Beautiful family! Our Steve came three weeks early and to this day, refuses to wait for anything! 😉 As far as the internet name, maybe you could call him L’il Bro? Sending tons of love to all of you! <3
Thanks, Jodi! L’il Bro is a good one, too…gonna be hard to choose with all these great suggestions! Hugs!
Absolutely adorable. My first one took 36 hours. The second was born C-section.
Thanks, Suzanne! 36 hours…wow! Mothers really are superheroes when it comes to laboring and raising the kids. 🙂
He’s so precious and innocent looking, who would have thought he could have caused so much drama? Congrats to Boy — he looks like such a proud brother. And you look great Katie — is that a stand in for you?
Wishing your family health and joy!
It’s always the innocent looking ones who cause all the trouble! Thanks, Loren. You’re too sweet.
Awwww! That’s one heck of a story, and some amazingly cute pictures! (And you look utterly amazing, btw!!)
Thanks, Meradeth! You all are making me feel so amazing.
Congratulations to you and your beautiful family, Katie! As a nurse said to my sister (upon the precipitous birth of her 2nd daughter), “someone sure paved the way!”
Thanks, Heather! I love that…”someone sure paved the way!” Too true.
Oh my goodness, he’s adorable!! I have a feeling he’s going to be one of those people who’s always early for everything. 🙂
Hi, Anna! Thanks! He will be early for everything if he’s like his father…not so much true for me.
Congratulations on the birth of your sweet, little one! Katie, you have a beautiful family.
Thank you, Susan!
What a beautiful baby boy Katie! Well done and congratulations. Despite the pain and the anxiety, these moments just have to be the best of your life. You know to be prepared and to hurry to the hospital for your next baby!
Thanks, Marie! I definitely will not be dawdling for the next one (did I just say there will be a next one?)…hard to think about that now, but it’s definitely a possibility.
Wow!! How crazy! I’m so glad you made it to the hospital in time. He was just ready to come out whether you were ready or not 🙂 congratulations!
I’m so glad we made it to the hospital, too! I can’t imagine having to deliver a baby without the professionals. Thanks, S.J.!
What a great post, Katie! I love all the pictures! Congratulations to you all! That’s great that it was an “easy” delivery anyway— it doesn’t even sound like you had time for an epidural! That’s awesome! I hope you all have a wonderful summer together! Mike and I have kind of relocated with his job, but once we get settled we will have to get together soon! I can’t wait to meet the new little guy! I like the suggestion of calling him “The Prince” too! 🙂 LOL! Enjoy this exciting time! Talk with you soon!
Thanks, Kerry! Good luck with settling in. I’d love for you to meet the little one and see the big one again. 🙂
Congratulations!!! What sweet photos. Wow, BB#2 couldn’t wait to join you all … So thankful he arrived safely.
He was in a hurry! Thanks, Vijaya.
Congratulations Katie! I’m sure he’ll inspire many new and wonderful stories!
I bet he will, Christopher. Thanks!
I’m so happy for you, Katie! Enjoy that little one.
Hi, Kelly! Thanks! It’s crazy to have two and enjoying every minute.
Katie, Congratulations. I love this post and when I came to your baby’s photo I was already misty but his little face brought the tears. He is so beautiful and so is The Boy. You have the world at your feet. I remember how wonderful that was, way back then, and the best part, as you watch them grow, life just gets better and better.
It was a very emotional post to write, Wendy! Thanks for your kind words. Looking forward to watching my two boys grow up together.
Aw, he’s just gorgeous! I’m glad you’re both doing well, despite all the excitement. 😉 You have a lovely family.
Aww..thanks, Leandra!
Wonderful news and lovely story. Congratulations and welcome to Boy #2.
Glad you are all doing well. What is sleep anyhow?
You have a beautiful family.
LOL! Yeah, sleep is a little hard to come by these days, though the little man is doing very well at night so far. Thanks, Rosalie!
Well, the first boy was born during a storm, and the second one was the storm! I’m placing my bet that you shall have the third whilst kayaking in the Amazonian rainforest.
As for the code name, Chauncey has such a lovely ring to it. Manly, yet jolly.
“Well, the first boy was born during a storm, and the second one was the storm!” Love this!
Good old Chauncey…sounds a bit familiar. 😉