Happy Birthday Nathaniel~

Yes, that is a candle in a slice of pizza!
I cannot believe I have been a mom for 10 years now! Wow~ where does the time go? I was in so much pain 10 years ago right now as I type this! I will share my birth story of my oldest son: Nathaniel!

I was 22 years old. I was due on October 20th, 1998. I had a Dr.'s appointment on the 20th, and my body wasn't doing anything to progress toward labor. My dear, and wonderful Dr. stripped my membranes (without warning...mind you) and I about died! I think he may have had to scrape me off the ceiling. OK, it wasn't like that, but it was horrible! Anyway, he said see you in a week. He told me I could have the baby any day that week, except for Thursday, because he would be gone that day. So, wouldn't you know it? Nathaniel decided to make his way into the world on Thursday, October 22. I went to bed around midnight on the 21st, and woke up at 4:00 with the feeling of needing to relieve myself of solid wastes. Since I had no luck of that, and could not get myself back to sleep, I figured that I MUST be in labor. I remember sitting on the couch for an hour doing word finds, before calling my best friend~Jennifer~ to tell her what was happening. Yes, I called her about 5 AM. I called my favorite cousin around 8 AM to talk to her and let her know, too. The day progressed, and I had a small breakfast (2 french toast slices). My friend, hairstylist, and (at the time) my brother's girlfriend, came over for a few hours in the morning to hang out. Jennifer got to my apartment around 11:00. By that time, my contractions were getting worse. I tried watching my Soap Opera (Young and the Restless)~which I have given up almost a year ago~but, I was in too much pain to get much out of it. I remember pacing around the hallway, and leaning on the doorway. Nathaniel's Dad got up there about 1:00 PM. I waited until my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart, since it was my first baby, and I heard it would be long. We headed up to the hospital about 4:00, and checked in. Nathaniel's Dad, my birth coach and best friend, Naomi, and Jennifer were with me. I had a wheel chair to ride up to the room, and really, I have no idea how I made it across the parking lot. I stopped SO much for every contraction. I think I was measuring a 2 only when they checked me. I wanted to yell...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I remember the phone kept ringing, and I told Naomi to tell them (whoever it was) to quit calling! I wanted no lights on, and the shade slightly pulled. That sun was so bright! The nurse checked me again at 8:00 and said I had made it to 5 CM dilation. WOO HOOO! She asked if I wanted an epidural, and I declined. The Dr. and nurses kept wanting me to get up and shower, or walk, or anything to get up...and I just wanted to lay there and wallow in my pain. They didn't tell me it would help me dilate faster. I think they should tell that to new moms! (~Remember that Alicia! :))

Anyway, I did get up and sit in a rocking chair. I had terrible back pain, and the nurse (God bless her) said it would help if I sat in the chair. As I did that, she sat at my feet and pushed my knees back. This took amazing pressure off my back and felt great! Then, I went back to bed. By 10:00 PM, they got the room ready~I was dilated to 10, and I was ready to push. I gave a few practice pushes while we were waiting for the Dr. After a handful of pushes, the nurse informs me that I should push like I am pooping. OH~~OK!! That made a huge difference! Nurses and Dr.'s should also share that information with new moms right off the bat! Well, I did have a small poo come, and I told the Dr.'s about it. I said I did, and they said I didn't...even though everyone thinks they do. After they argued with me about 3 times, they said, "Oh, yes, I guess you did." Hello~I think I know! :)

After 45 minutes of pushing, out comes my beautiful, amazing, miracle baby boy! Weighing in at 8 pounds 6 ounces, and measuring 20 inches long. He was so small, and tiny and amazing! What a wonder God creates such amazing miracles! I was so overwhelmed...and TIRED. I loved holding him, cuddling him, and letting him sleep in my arms. I am so happy that God chose me to be his mom~ what an honor!

I love you Nathaniel! You ARE my GIFT FROM GOD! Nathaniel means Gift from God.

We will be celebrating a family meal out tomorrow night, and he is having a boys party on Saturday. Then, on Sunday we will have the grandparents over, and maybe some cousins. We had to postpone some of the celebrations off of his "official" birthday due to his birthday falling mid week. Happy Birthday to my first born...Nathaniel! Now he is in the double digits!