Four Months

Wow! This month brought a lot of changes for Mr. Dempsey! Get ready, cause this post is fairly long!


He is an expert roller - from back to front that is. He has rolled from front to back a few times, but lately he is on a back to front kick. We can't wait for him to figure out how to master the front to back roll as well as he has the back to front because he gets super frustrated when he is "stuck" on his stomach, and he can roll at night and when he gets stuck, he screams! So the kiddo needs to learn to love laying on his stomach or learn how to roll right back where he came from! :)

He LOVES sucking on his arm, wrist, hand, fingers. No, seriously, he has given himself more hickeys than I've had my entire life (sorry about that Mom and Dad!). He is so happy to just suck away. He also enjoys other people's hands, fingers, shoulders, etc for his sucking pleasure. He also has started to do this hilarious thing when he sucks and he "bites" down and shakes his head back and forth like he is eating some corn on the cob or has watched Oakleigh shake around a toy/bone/cardboard box one too many times. He has a pretty powerful little chomp too! I am glad he doesn't have any teeth yet!

He has mastered the tricky art of getting out of a straight jacket Miracle Blanket! He is like the Houdini of babies I'm telling ya! He can get out of that thing in less than a minute if he really wants to! He has also been able to, while fully swaddled, rolled from his back to his front! That is a frightening thought; he can't be stuck face down with his arms pinned down and his feet in a pouch. Oy vey! So, we tried to wean him from the swaddle, and since he is so content with sucking on his limbs we figured it would be great because he could self soothe. Boy, were we wrong. It seems to be a real hit or miss type of thing. We have tried a receiving blanket swaddle, no swaddle, loose swaddle...nothing seems to work to great. Some nights he would sleep pretty good and others he was up every hour or two. I literally have no idea how people can handle babies who don't sleep for more than a two hour stretch for months on end. I was exhausted, Finn was exhausted, Dempsey was exhausted! I miss the days of 5 or more hour stretches of sleep. We have started a new bedtime routine to help give him new cues that it is time to go to sleep. And, we are going to try a sleep sack this month and see how that goes. Wish us luck!

He has started to pay attention to the dogs, a lot. He thinks they are funny most of the time. He had the funniest, dumbfounded expression the other day when Gus was snoring near him; very much a "what the heck is that!?!?!" type of look. I told him I feel the same way! Oakleigh is still very fascinated by him and likes to be wherever he (and the rest of the family) is. Dempsey likes to smile at her and gets big grins when she kisses him. He also has started to notice and watch the chickens when we take him outside. His eyes wide and head moving from side to side while they walk and squawk around him. He also likes to spend time outside, a lot. He prefers the outdoors to most activities (except maybe bath time).

He has also started to grab at things. Not everything, and not all the time, but he does enjoy holding onto his burp cloth and some of his stuffed animals. He doesn't play with his toys on his activity mat as much as he used to because he is so busy sucking on his arms to grab at and play with those. He also likes looking at himself in mirrors. He is adorable, so who can blame him!?

He is a smiley little kid. He definitely recognizes people now. He knows the grandparents and aunts pretty darn well these days and gives them all cute grins when they say hello. But, he saves special smiles for mom and dad, I'm sure of it. He has also started to laugh! Oh dear god, this is seriously the most ridiculously cute thing in the whole world. It is hard to not cry when he laughs because it is so stinkin' adorable! I got to overhear and watch Dempsey and Finn after their bedtime story last week and it was pretty heart melty. Yep, that's what I said, heart melty. Hopefully we'll catch him giggling on video one of these days and post it on here.

Dempsey went on his first hike! Which also meant is was our first time having the dogs in the car at the same time as Dempsey! I bought a little mesh barrier to go between the cargo area and the back seat just to give the dogs a boundary and it works great and is so much better than those clunky metal ones. We went to Loveland Pass and Finn carried him in the baby Bjorn. Of course for our first hike of the season and our first hike with a baby strapped onto us, we chose to start at an elevation of 11,990 feet with a steep incline. Yep, that was smart. We felt like we were in such great shape....hahaha. It was a nice day but the clouds rolled in while we were hiking and we even got snowed on, in June! We hiked for more than an hour and had an awesome time. Dempsey fell asleep on our way back down and was a champ - people said he must have really strong longs to hike at such an elevation! :) We of course documented the trip with lots of pictures and Finn collected a small bouquet of wild flowers for Dempsey's baby book.

He finally got to meet his Great Grandma Marge Kast! This was a huge deal! We had been waiting for this day for almost 4 months! Due to health problems, etc. she had to postpone her trip until the end of June. Thank goodness nothing strange came up this time otherwise Finn, Dempsey and I would have been taking our first plane ride, to Chicago! It was so awesome to get to see all four generations together. Grandma got to spend lots of time playing with, holding, feeding and staring at Dempsey! We did the usual family tradition of a meal at My Brother's Bar and enjoyed lots of family time for the few days she was here.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day, Finny! 

Who could have imagined that when we met more than 14 years ago that one day we'd be celebrating your First Father's Day together!? You would, that's who! 

You've told me time and time again that you always knew I was the one for you and the one you wanted to be the mother of your children. You have never doubted, not even for a single moment, that I would be the one to make you a proud father.

Our road to parenthood wasn't one for the story lines of "16 and Pregnant" (thank goodness!) and it wasn't the easiest task we've taken on.  From the day we heard the words "fertility treatments" until the day I showed you the positive pregnancy test, it was a long and emotional roller coaster. We had many laughs and plenty of tears. But, it was one of the most rewarding journeys I have ever been on with you!

One year ago today on Father's Day, we were too nervous to pee on a stick. I didn't want to have to tell you, again, that you were not going to be a father (yet). We had the family over and I spent much of the day with the dream of you getting to celebrate this special day as a father next year. The following day we found out that we were in fact pregnant and we were both so nervous and excited that we couldn't fall back asleep (and it was only 5am)! Our lives were instantly changed when that little white stick said "pregnant" or had two blurry lines, whichever way you prefer to remember it! ;)

Fast forward nine months to March 2, 2012. The day that you became a dad. Although really, I am convinced that you were born to be a dad. We welcomed Dempsey Mason Ruehrdanz into the world at 8:58 pm, he weighed 7lbs, 10oz, and was 20 1/4" long. He was beautiful in every way. He was happy and healthy. You received the most excited dad, EVER, award from our doctor and your emotional reaction to the arrival of our son was so touching I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. Your scream, laugh, cry, ecstatic-ness was so amazing to see. You didn't want to let him leave your arms. You were in love, more in love than you had ever been in love before. You had a son. You made him. You couldn't have been more proud. 

From that day on you had shifted from Finn, a best friend, a son, a soccer player, a coach, a fanatic, a son-in-law, a brother, and so many other things to DAD. You didn't lose any other part of yourself, but it was as if that one final piece of being a dad made your life so much more complete. You took to the role with such ease and grace, it was as if it was always meant to be (which of course it was). 

You are the world's greatest dad to Dempsey. You have given him nothing but 200% of everything you have to offer since the day you two met. You are an expert diaper changing, swaddling, shushing, rocking, bouncing, entertaining, baby-wearing, smile-inducing dad. Dempsey is the luckiest boy on the planet to have you as his Dad. I cannot wait to watch the two of you grow up together. I know that you will be the best of friends and you will be so proud of one another. And I know that one day he will exclaim "Dad, you are the best!" Because, hunny, you really are the best.

I'm so blessed to have you as my best friend. My husband. My soul mate. The father to my children. My everything. 

I love you more today than I did the day before and that gets truer everyday.

Today, my lover, it is all about you. Here's to wishing you the Happiest First Father's Day Ever!!

Three Months

How in the world did another month pass already!? I'm pretty sure that time speeds up once you have a kid. They are constantly changing, right in front of your eyes. Dempsey is no exception. He has changed quite a bit this past month. He is really starting to get a personality, that's for sure! He smiles all the time, has all sorts of new noises, follows people and dogs with his eyes and is showing more interest (and disinterest) in a variety of things! We have started reading to him and he really seems to enjoy it! He likes his bouncy chair again and that is awesome because I am now able to make dinner, etc. and he can happily sit and watch! He is getting so close to having his first real belly laugh - we can't wait!! He enjoys tummy time and can hold his big noggin' up like a champ! His hands are his best friend, he thinks they are the greatest thing ever!!

He weighs about 13.2 lbs and is around 2 feet long. He fits in most 3 month clothes, although his long legs tend to make his 3mo pants look like shants!

Routine - if there is such a thing with a 3 month old. Sleeps generally from 9:30 or 10pm - 4 or 5am. This sleep cycle was disturbed in his last week as a 2 month old due to mom going Paleo. The Paleo part wasn't/isn't the culprit, but the rapid weight loss I experienced was! I am working on building that back up! During the day he generally eats every two to three hours and takes a few good naps during the day (each lasting several hours). He gets a bath every other night and it is always his favorite time!

Other things that have been going on in the family:

I finished another semester of grad school - and I am rockin' a 3.9 gpa (not too shabby considering full time work, being pregnant, having a baby, and all the other awesome things that come with being me!)

The Ruby Hill Community Garden which I am a co-leader of is going well. It is truly "up and running." We have three pretty large plots and were able to get most of our planting done on Mother's Day!

Finn and I both had our first overnights without Dempsey. I went to Moab for a girls' trip, you can see more pics from that here. It was definitely emotional, but a great experience for sure! I had to pump to keep my milk supply up and to have some to freeze once I got back since the stockpile had was definitely used greatly while I was away. The following week, Finn headed to NOLA for work for nine days! It was tough, but thank goodness we live in a time where technology allows us to video chat, text, email, etc. every day! It was fun skyping with Finn in the evenings so that he could see Dempsey being the goofy kid that he is.

Dempsey's aunt Hanni got engaged!! We were all very excited and we went to Ernie's to celebrate! We know that Dempsey will be the cutest little guy at the wedding, no doubt about it!! :)

Wordless Wednesday

Top Ten Tuesday - Baby Items

In an effort to be more consistent with blogging I am starting some fun day of the week themes for when I don't have something else to post about. I'm going to start today with a new segment I am going to call Top Ten Tuesday. I know I'm not the first to have this idea as a quick google search shows plenty of other websites, blogs and even images dedicated to Top Ten Tuesday. But, I still think it is a fantastic idea.

This week's Top Ten list is dedicated to baby stuff, specifically the ten baby items we couldn't have lived without in Dempsey's first two months. These may be great items to add to your registry and/or buy an expecting friend! Just click on the image to take you to a site where you can purchase/find out more about the product.

Top Ten Baby Items

1. Miracle Blanket

Seriously people, the proof is in the name. This blanket really is a miracle. After using the hospital and other swaddle blankets, I thought I knew exactly how this miracle blanket would work and we quickly began using it. However, one day I had a hunch we were doing something wrong and went to check out the instructions (what an idea, eh!?). Come to find out, we were doing it wrong - really wrong. Once we began using this miracle blanket the way we were supposed to - check out the image above - we immediately noticed a change in Dempsey's sleep. He began sleeping much longer stretches of time and we are talking 5-6 hour stretches!! For those of you who don't know, that's pretty incredible for a newborn. We use this blanket every night and seriously could not live (or sleep) without it! 

2. Swaddle Blankets

While the miracle blanket is our go to blanket, having a lot of other swaddle blankets are key to a happy newborn. They are useful for so many things. We use them to cover his car seat when we are going somewhere and it is either chilly or really bright. We use them when we are out and about at the grandparents' houses for cuddle time and nap time. We also use them every night to double swaddle Dempsey. We feel that it helps keep this active little bugger in the miracle blanket better and also adds an extra layer for warmth during the night. We received the best blankets from Finn's Uncle and Aunt (Jimmy and Sherry) and my sister, Charlotte.  

Extra Large Organic Swaddle Blanket from Jimmy and Sherry

Adorable Swaddle Blankets
 from Charlotte

3. Bouncy Seat

Mr. Dempsey loved his bouncy seat for the first three weeks or so of his life. Since then we can't put him in it without crying?! Maybe he will return to it one day, but regardless, this thing was vital for our sanity in those first couple of weeks. While we had visitors galore during those first few weeks and Dempsey was hardly ever "put down," Finn and I needed to take a break every now and then. And let's be honest, babies also like to have their own space too! This bouncy seat that Jimmy and Sherry got us was great because it vibrated to a heartbeat rhythm and it is the only automatic bouncer on the market! That means you don't have to sit there the whole time to keep it bouncing. The nature noises and the music it played were also great. It is a super cute seat and I would totally recommend it. I am also hoping that he will learn to love it again before he grows out of it. 

We also received another bouncy seat that transitions into a toddler rocking chair. We keep this one at Jeff and Jill's house and have used it a couple of time. This one has a vibrating seat that Dempsey has liked the few times we've used it.

Update: he does in fact like this bouncy seat still and we have begun using again.

4. Swing

At the same time that Dempsey began to cry every time we put him in his bouncy seat, we decided to bring the swing we received as a hand-me-down into the living room just to see if he would like it since we needed to set him down once in a while and we preferred if it didn't mean he cried or screamed every time. We weren't sure about the swing, especially because we have a pretty small living space and baby swings take up entirely too much room. But, Dempsey seemed to enjoy it and would happily swing in it while he was awake (great for a quick potty break or to grab a bite to eat for mom/dad)  and he would also nap for longer periods of time during the day. We still use the swing daily and are able to get a lot more things done around the house because of it. It has also made working from home quite a bit easier on me since his naps last longer than 20 minutes (like they do when he is in his crib). Since this swing was given to us when we didn't know the gender we have a cute little girl's swing but Dempsey rocks the pink swing like nobody's business.

5. Giraffe Play Mat

This was on our registry and when we didn't receive it both Finn and I were bummed. But, we did get plenty of gift cards so we went and picked it up! :) This thing is not only super adorable, it is also very plush which is great for tummy time - especially in the beginning when they have a tendency to unintentionally slam their giant noggins onto the ground when they are getting tired. At two months old Dempsey has sadly almost outgrown this mat entirely - his little feet hang right off the end f it! This mat made tummy time feel much more fun and safe for all of us. We use it daily for tummy time, hanging out, and sometimes just to have a little extra cushion under him while on his activity mat. 

6. Activity Mat

This activity mat totally rocks! It comes with plenty of fun animals with stuffed animals and rings and such and all the animals feel different and make different noises. We use this daily. Sometimes for tummy time and regularly for just good ol' fashion fun! He loves looking at himself in the mirror (although the mirror seems like one you'd see at a carnival because it isn't very clear). He also recently started grabbing at the toys and holding onto the different rings. It has been fun to watch him grow and even more fun to watch how much he has developed. From a newborn who would just stare into space into a two month old who notices when things move, reacts more to sounds, and even gets frustrated when he accidentally swings his monkey friend up out of his reach. 

7. Burt's Bees Baby Products

We have used Burt's Bees products for all of Dempsey's skin care needs. The shampoo and body wash smells amazing, the diaper rash cream worked wonders (we have only had to use it for about one week total) and the calming lotion is perfect for our post-bath nighttime routine. I love everything about these products and am so glad we got them!!

8. Medela Breast Pump

Now this thing I couldn't have lived without, period. I had to pump from day 1 to help get my milk to come in and then I needed to pump when Dempsey decided he liked a bottle more than my boobs and now I pump to keep up a regular stockpile for times when I need to leave Dempsey for a little while. This pump has been really great to have and I would seriously recommend it to anyone who is thinking about breastfeeding, but is not planning on practicing attachment parenting! This particular model is great because it comes with a nifty little cooler which works perfect for trips out of the house and to take when you need to pump at work!

9. Baby Bjorn

I absolutely love this thing! I use it all the time - when going on a family walk, to the store, to breastfeeding weigh-in group, to get stuff done around the house, etc. In the beginning it was great to have him facing towards me since he had little to no control over his head/neck. But, he certainly let us know when he was ready to face out! Now we generally have him face out when we go places and he loves looking at everything and soaking in the world around him! :) Finn and Dempsey are just the most adorable little duo when Finn has him strapped in this bad boy, even though I got jealous at first because for the first two months or so I was the sole baby carrier. But, my heart melts whenever I see those two together so I'm learning to share! :) 

10. REI Baby Socks

And last, but certainly not least....REI BABY SOCKS! These things are freaking incredible! They are literally the only socks we have that stay on all day! They keep his feet warm, they stay put, and they are cute - what more can you ask for in a bay sock!? We loved these socks so much after we received them as a gift from my parents that we got new ones when their spring prints came out. So now we have four pairs and I most certainly will continue to buy this brand of sock as he grows. These are a must have for any baby registry - or just get them even if the person you know didn't register for them because I promise you, they will love them!

My First Mother's Day

To say I was spoiled on my very first Mother's Day is a huge understatement!! It started early, very early, on Saturday morning around 5am after I had fed Dempsey and pumped. When I came back to bed there was a gift bag on my pillow! I first invited the birthday boy (Gus turned 9!!) up on the bed to cuddle then went around to Finn's side of the bed to open up the bag. Inside were some amazing treasures!! 

First I opened a little card made out to "#1 Mom Ashleigh Elizabeth" which expressed Finn and Dempsey's love for me. Then I opened up a small tissue paper wrapped package and inside was two different silver chains to replace on of mine that broke the day after we had Dempsey and that I used to wear my engagement ring on. The next package was also very small and wrapped so well that I had to get scissors while Finn exclaimed to "be careful" while I cut it open. Inside I found the most beautiful aquamarine tree of life pendant. Aquamarine is Dempsey's birth stone. The next thing I opened was a cute little box and inside was a beautiful silver leaf pendant with an aquamarine stone. My heart felt like a huge pile of mush as Finn told me that he had spent a lot of time looking at aquamarine jewelry on etsy to find the right ones for me. I was on the verge of tears but somehow held them back - maybe because it was so early in the morning, it wasn't even light out yet and I was tired. :)

                                                             

That day we had a bbq to celebrate with our moms. We spent much of the day cleaning up the house and preparing for the shin dig. Later, when I was getting myself ready, Finn came in the bathroom with Dempsey in his arms and said that Dempsey was wondering if "these" would go with either of my new necklaces and when I looked Dempsey was holding a cute purple bag and inside were a gorgeous pair of aquamarine stud earrings. How freaking adorable is that!? I immediately put them on and paired them with my tree of life pendant and I felt like a million bucks! I not only had beautiful jewelry that my husband picked out but they were a fun way to represent motherhood with a stone honoring Dempsey!

The bbq was fun. We played some cornhole for the first time this season, but the weather wasn't terribly nice so we only got in a few games. We had lots of delicious food as always and the great company of both of our moms and dads and my sister and brother. Hanni and Freddy were in Hawaii (jerks!) so they missed out on a great day! We gave our mom's cards and orchids and I made them each a lemon sugar hand scrub that I put into cute little Mason jars and attached a label to (why didn't I take any pictures of these!?). My Mom's first Mother's Day gift to me was a super cute frame she made me to put pictures of Dempsey in (which will not cooperate with the camera so a picture will have to come at another time). I also received an adorable card in the mail from Finn's grandma and my brother gave me a cute first mommy's day card as well! 

After the bbq was over and everyone had gone home, we were both pretty tired after a full day of activities but Finn managed to stay up and almost watch the end of the Nuggets playoff game (they lost). When Dempsey woke up for his early morning feeding I noticed something sitting on the chair in Dempsey's room. As I looked closer I saw that it was a crossword puzzle titled "Your First Mother's Day: A Journey Through Some of Life's Finer Things." I thought it was so cute and thanked Finn but he urged me to look at some of the clues. When I did I almost immediately started crying as I realized this was a crossword puzzle Finn made me and all the clues had to do with things that have gone on over the course of our relationship from our first date to my first Mother's Day. This man is seriously way too sweet! He was so excited that I cried (finally)! :)

Mother's Day morning was spent hanging out with my boys, eating breakfast, watching Finn work in the garden, and feeding Dempsey. I then went shopping as Finn had given me a gift certificate for some designer jeans for one of my baby shower presents. Shopping was interesting and exhausting! I was excited to get back home to spend Mother's Day where I really belonged - with my two favorite guys, at home! When I got home there was yet another gift waiting for me, a super touching (and tear-inducing) letter from Finn about how much he loves me and what a great mom I am. I can't even put into words how much I love this man and how incredible it is to share my life with him. My best friend, my husband and the father to my children. Wow! What a day!! :)

My Mother's Day Gifts! :)

The Birth Story

This is the birth story, as I remember it. The times may not be entirely accurate as the whole day quickly became a blur. But, I think I captured a lot of the feelings of the day. It is a long post, so approach with caution and maybe a glass of water and a snack! ;)

Well, it all began with our 40 week doctor's visit on Tuesday, February 28th. Our baby was due that day and my doctor wanted to have us delivered no later than 41 weeks. She checked my cervix and said I was around 2cm but that she could stretch me more but wouldn't as it wouldn't be too pleasant for me. The plan my doctor had was that if I didn't go into labor before the following Tuesday, March 6th that we would be scheduled for an induction that day. HOWEVER - we learned the previous Friday that Jeff (Finn's dad) was in need of a couple of heart procedures, one of which was a quadruple bypass and that this surgery would be taking place the following week. Given that we not only wanted Jeff to be present for the birth but that we would also be able to visit him in the hospital after his surgery we asked if there was any way to bump up the induction. We had to compromise a bit since our doctor wasn't really available the rest of the week  but we were able to schedule it for Friday with the knowledge that our doctor would only be available until about 2pm for the delivery.

So, I continued to have contractions, fairly consistently over the next several days. I ate lots of pineapple and spicy food, drank a ton of red raspberry leaf tea, walked a lot and even went to acupuncture a couple of times that week to try to help jump start my labor But, no real progress was made and I didn't go into labor on my own. On Thursday Finn took the day off of work and we spent our last day together as a kid-less couple. It was a good day filled with plenty of errands and chores and last minute nursery preparations. We both went to bed feeling very excited and anxious for what the next day would bring!

On the morning of our induction (Friday, March 2nd) we woke up really early because we were to be to the hospital by 6am. I took a shower and ate some breakfast since I didn't know when I would get to do either of those things again! Finn packed up the car and we were on our way! We only live about 10 minutes from the hospital so it didn't take us long to arrive!

We went straight to the Labor and Delivery unit and were greeted by smiling faces. We were brought to a room and Finn promptly asked that we be put in a different room - one with a tub - so that I could attempt to use the tub for pain relief as we wanted to go about this as naturally as possible. We got situated in our new room and I put on the lovely hospital gown and was quickly given an IV in my arm so that they could push fluids, meds, etc. in me as needed. My parents arrived pretty shortly after we were checked in, followed by Charlotte and then Jeff and Jill. Hanni was in a meeting and would be to the hospital around 9 or 10 that morning.

My doctor's plan was to start the Pitocin ASAP. We chose to have them break my bag of water and do some walking in hopes that we could get things moving that way and not have to use Pitocin (or as much of it). So my doctor caved but didn't sound terribly enthusiastic or optimistic about our plan. She gave us two hours from when she broke my water before they would start Pitocin if adequate progress wasn't made. So, at 8am they broke my bag of water with a crochet hook and boy did that feel weird! Luckily it was clear and odor free so that meant no meconium which was a great sign. We were free to begin walking! We started doing laps around the 5th floor of the hospital (the only floor we were allowed on) shortly after 8am and were to be checked in one hour to see if progress was being made. Unfortunately, in the final weeks of pregnancy I had become so swollen in my legs, ankles and feet that walking was not very comfortable and in fact it was downright excruciating at times due to cramping and shin splints. Thank goodness I had plenty of family support on my walks. But, by the time the first hour was up I was ready to be off my feet for a few minutes! They checked me and I hadn't made any progress - not the most uplifting news considering my legs were on fire!! Finn rubbed my feet and legs and applied cold compresses to them to help with the pain so I could get back to walking for hour #2.

Hour #2 of walking was a bit faster paced - as was noted by family members and nurses throughout the 5th floor. But I really wanted to avoid the Pitocin as long as possible and my legs weren't killing me quite so bad. Hanni arrived during this second hour of laps and it was fun chatting with her. We even stopped for an awesome family photo! However, two hours of walking and a cervical check later I had not progressed at all - Pitocin here we come.

We began the Pitocin shortly after 10am and the real labor began. The contractions picked up pretty quickly after I started getting the Pitocin and I quickly realized that I was one of the lucky women who would experience back labor. As the contractions intensified the back pain got stronger and stronger. It was pretty interesting because I really didn't experience a lot of pain anywhere else besides my lower back. I spent a lot of time swaying and sitting on the birthing ball and doing hip circles and just about anything else that helped to relieve some of the pain I was experiencing. I was doing well breathing through the contractions and trying to just experience each one as they came rather than anticipating them and tensing up. I felt pretty good about things and even was pretty chatty and smiley with everyone. Charlotte really enjoyed sitting by the computer so she could watch the contractions and let me know how strong they were - as if I didn't know! :)

looking just lovely laboring away 

Sometime around 2pm (or so I think that's when it was) I asked about pain relief options. The nurse explained all of my options and said to just let her know (and she up'd the Pitocin dose as she left the room). Approximately 10 minutes later I was asking for some sort of pain relief as the contractions were getting closer together and were getting more and more intense. She gave me some fentanyl and we hoped that it would take the edge off and help me get through the contractions. At this point she checked me again and I was only at 4cm. We still had a long way to go!!

Around 4pm as the contractions intensified and were so close together that I couldn't catch my breath in between and the back pain was just too much for me to handle I told Finn I just couldn't take it any more and was going to get an epidural. He reminded me that I had told him to remind me that this usually meant that were were close to the transition stage of labor and that if I was able to tolerate the pain up to this point that I could make it the rest of the way. I thanked him for the reminder but said I just couldn't hang anymore - and as of the last check we still had a LONG way to go and they said to anticipate 1 cm of dilation an hour - that meant we still had many hours ahead of us. We let the nurse know and she started to get the process underway and told me to slow down my breathing a bit as I had become less effective at breathing slow, long breaths through the contractions. 

When they came to the epidural I couldn't really even sit up on my own because the pain in my back was so intense and the contractions were on top of one another so there was little to no relief at any given moment. They decided to check me again and we found out I had progressed rather quickly and I was at 7cm. I said I still wanted to get the epidural since I was afraid I wouldn't have anything left in me to push. I got to use Finn as my support throughout the epidural process - leaning into him and ringing his shirt in my hands through the contractions. The anesthesiologists's assistant was a wonderful lady but at the time I didn't find her to be too helpful, especially when she would tell me to stop breathing the way I was or something like that while I was having a contraction. Every time she annoyed me I just wound Finn's shirt up in my hands tighter and tighter. Once they had the epidural in place they had me remove my necklace and earrings which I found weird and annoying - come to find out, they just wanted me to focus on something other than the pain and contractions - those sneaky little buggers. By the time they had the epidural in place I was at 9 cm and the nurse thought we would be pushing really soon. 

Finn knew I was feeling better when the assistant lady asked me what my pain level was on a scale of 1 to 10 with a 1 being her poking my arm. I joked that since she was such a strong poker I would have to say I was at least a 2. Around this time we were also asked if a medical student could be present for the birth. At first I thought this was a bit weird but quickly realized that we didn't know anybody in the room so what difference did one more person make? I did ask to meet him so we could change our mind if we didn't like him (again with the joking). At 6:15 everyone left the room to give us a few minutes to ourselves before we would begin pushing at 6:30. Finn and I interviewed each other on the camcorder and braced ourselves for the excitement that was before us.

Final photo before we were no longer pregnant!

At 6:30 we began to push. After two pushes the nurse told me to stop and said that the baby was "sunny side up." This not only explained all of the back labor (the back of the baby's head was pressing against my spine) but also meant that the baby had no where to go. It was stuck. It needed more room in order to be able to come through my pelvis. So, for the next hour I laid in strange positions with my legs in an effort to give the baby a few more centimeters to move down farther into my pelvis. Luckily, it worked and just before 7:30 we began pushing!

The pushing was difficult. It felt really un-natural and I was pushing with my face a lot and felt my eyes hurting pretty early on. I asked the nurse and doctor about it but they said it was pretty normal and to try to open my mouth when I pushed. Finn held my left leg and helped hold my head up and push my shoulders when I pushed and the medical student held my right leg. Finn was so incredible, counting pretty much the entire time and cheering me on constantly. Towards the (unbeknownst to us) end of the pushing I really felt like I couldn't go any longer. I had been watching the clock for sometime and I had this feeling that if we hadn't had the baby by 9pm that I was going to have to ask for a break (do they even give those!?). Finn said he could feel it in me that I was losing strength and not pushing as hard and asked the doctor to take over the counting so he could focus on the cheering. He kept telling me to keep it up, to push just a little harder, etc. and reassured me that I was doing a great job and that we were getting so close. 

This must have been all I needed because it wasn't too much longer that I felt the most insane amount of pressure and desire to get that baby out of me, and fast!! Finally, after an hour and a half of pushing Finn announced that we had a SON! He was laughing, screaming, crying all at the same time! His emotions were so filled with joy and tears that he made everyone in the room cry (including the med student). They laid the baby on my chest and I immediately began rubbing him and saying "come on buddy" and other things because he wasn't crying (babies are supposed to cry when they are born, I swear!). I was so worried something was wrong because he wasn't crying even though Finn and the medical staff told me he was perfectly fine. He was quickly taken over to be cleaned up and checked out. The nurse handed him to Finn and he was so cute admiring him, etc. while they were getting me to deliver the placenta. Finn said that I should tell everyone his name and immediately fear and anxiety hit me - what if I thought we agreed on a name that we hadn't!? What would Finn say if I said the wrong name!? So I told  Finn that he should tell everyone - but he insisted I did. So, I hesitantly told all the medical staff that his name was Dempsey Mason Ruehrdanz. Finn cried a bit more (phew!! we did agree on that name!) and then told me how beautiful he was and I joked that I couldn't wait to see him since Finn had been hogging him the whole time! :) The doctor announced that Finn had received the most excited dad EVER award!! Finn handed him (with the help of the nurse) to me and walked to the other side of my bed. I winced (because the doctor was busy sewing me up and the epidural was NOT working) and Finn quickly asked if I wanted him to hold Dempsey - I guess the look I gave him said it all as he said "good answer" and let me keep holding him. 

He was born at 8:58 pm, weighed 7lbs, 10oz and was 20 1/4" long. 

After I was cleaned up Finn headed out to the waiting room to tell the whole family that we had a beautiful baby boy named Dempsey Mason and that they could come see him - grandmas first, then grandpas and then aunts. Everyone was overjoyed when they came in to see us and Jeff let me know that I looked terrible (boy, was he right. I looked like I had been in a boxing match). It was awesome!! :)

7 lbs, 10 oz and 20 1/4" long and a conehead

little guy!

first full frontal for the ladies ;)

so alert!

looking not-so-amazing

who are you? no, who are you? :)

the happy and tired family