Small Things. Great Love.: A long time coming...Our baby boy is here!

I know it has been a long time since I posted, but it feels like the whole world has changed in the last 2 weeks and it has taken me this long to get myself to get settled in to the new normal. I apologize for the length of this post, but it's the story of Liam's arrival and the story is just pouring out of me!!

We had a slow start to our week (March 7th). Matthew's dad, Nelson, and Brenda came into town on March 9th to get prepared for Liam's arrival, and Matthew and I spent most of our evenings together enjoying our time "just the two of us" before we became a family of 3. I was trying to rest as much as possible. Our trip to the doctor that week showed only a little bit of progress since the week before, so I was a little discouraged that things were going to go long than we had anticipated...and I was beginning to get pretty uncomfortable!

Friday, March 11th, I woke up at about 6:30am with strong back pain. I thought we might be headed down the path towards labor! I had to get out of bed and start moving around because the pain was getting intense. Then around 8:30am, I started to feel more regular and intense pains that I thought might be labor. I called Matthew to give him the heads up and I also called my mom. She suggested I call the doctor because I wasn't sure if what I was feeling were actually contractions. The nurse seemed not to understand what I was describing because she told me to come into the office RIGHT AWAY...I panicked, called Matthew and told him to meet me at the hospital, put our bags in the car, and rushed to the doctor's office. The doctor checked everything out and said that I really had not progressed much and that I was not in active labor. However, I was having high blood pressure problems again, so she sent me over to the hospital AGAIN for more testing. Matthew met me there and we waited for the results. Everything came back normal, but we did learn that most of my pain was from cramping and an occasional contraction.

We headed back home and tried to rest that afternoon. Friday night, the pain got a little worse, and I didn't sleep much because the pains were waking me up every 15 to 20 minutes. I started trying to time things to see if there was any pattern, but there didn't seem to be any pattern. The pains continued into Saturday with some more intensity. My mom decided it was time to head this direction, so she went to Temple and spent the night with Madeline & Darryl. I kept anticipating that things were going to start progressing, but the contractions were intense, but irregular. Matthew and I went to Mass on Saturday night (and I had to step out a few times because the pain was so strong!). Sunday night was rough again...I had to sleep out in the chair in the living room because I couldn't lay down in our bed. Sunday morning, Mom, Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb came to San Antonio to be with us and to help because I was unable to do any cooking, cleaning, or organizing because of the pain. Between my family & Matthew's family, we had so much fun and I'm not sure we would have made it without them!

Matthew worked really hard on Sunday afternoon to get me out and about, walking, standing, stretching, in the hopes that we might make some progress!! But nothing happened on Sunday...Sunday night was rough again, and Matthew actually stayed up with me part of the night to time contractions and to help me breathe through the pain. Monday morning things were about the same...Intense back pain, long contractions, but irregular frequency. We went for a few more walks on Monday and took Caleb to the park, but it was getting more difficult for me to move around. I was dreading Monday night because I knew that I wasn't going to get any sleep!! I knew I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday afternoon and I was beginning to think about what I might be able to do to get things moving along. Monday night was rough again and we tried a walk again on Tuesday. I thought I might have to go to the hospital before my appointment, but nothing happened and Matthew and I headed to my appointment. The doctor said that I was dilated to 5cm, fully effaced, and my bag of waters would break any minute!! She wanted me to head right over to the hospital, but she let me go home and get my bags before I checked in. I was SO excited that all those days of hard work had paid off!!

We came home and got my Mom to head to the hospital with me and Matthew. I checked into my room and immediately started debating whether or not to get an epidural. My nurse was amazing and really helped to calm me down. She said I was having lots of back labor and highly recommended I get the epidural because the pain was only going to get worse. I decided to wait a little longer because I needed to move around to try to get Liam in the right position (he was "sunnyside up" which was causing all the back pain!). In the meantime, the doctor came in and broke my water. She said it would probably make the labor pains even more intense and boy was she right!! After about 4 or 5 contractions after she broke my water, I was ready for the epidural!! The anesthesiologist was right next door, so he came in and hooked me up. Matthew and I were both really nervous for the epidural...in fact, I was shaking like a leaf at this point. We were mostly nervous because I knew I was going to have a contraction while he was doing the epidural and I was going to have a hard time holding still. After a little pain and a lot of patience on the part of the doctor, I had the epidural and was feeling much better. He was very kind and gave me a little boost of the pain meds because he had seen how much pain I was in. Mom felt so much better knowing I wasn't in so much pain and Matthew was so incredibly patient with me!

Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb came up to say hello and goodnight right after I got the epidural and then we saw Nelson & Brenda briefly, too. After the visitors left, I feel asleep for a little bit and then before I knew it, I was ready to start pushing! I was surprise how much I felt even with the epidural...no pain, but I felt pressure and I could still move my legs. I didn't have to push long before our little angel came into the world! Liam Frederick Powell was born at 11:12pm...barely under the wire for his due date, March 15th. He weight 8lbs 4oz...a big boy!! And we found out later that he was 20 3/4 inches long. After he was born, we spent about an hour in Labor and Delivery snuggling with him and I nursed him for the first time. It was so very special to get to know our little guy! Then we let Mom, Nelson, & Brenda meet him (they waited patiently in the waiting room for us!). They took Liam to the nursery for a bath and tests and Matthew went with him while my mom stayed with me and helped me get a little bit of something to eat. Matthew came back and helped them wheel me to Post Partum. Nelson, Brenda, & Mom went home for the evening and Matthew and I got settled. We had to wait until about 2am for them to bring our babe back to us. I nursed him again and then we all went to sleep. Liam did great in his first night!!

The next day, Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb brought us donuts and balloons...and they met Liam for the first time. Caleb was so cute...he was very interested in the new baby...except when his mommy was holding him!! Can't say I blame the big guy! All our doctors also came in to visit with us. My doctor said everything looked great and we met Liam's pediatrician for the first time and we think he's great! He said Liam looked great and that everything from the testing looked normal so far. Later, Mom, Nelson, & Brenda also came up for a visit. We loved having our family come to see us...but we had TONS of people coming in from the hospital and it was hard to get any rest! Liam had his hearing test, we met with the lactation consultant, a nurse Matthew met through a class at the hospital spent some time with us, and then they came in every so often to check my vitals and Liam's vitals. Mom went to The Cove (our favorite local restaurant) to pick up dinner and everyone came up to the room to celebrate with us.

Our second night with the little guy was a little rough...he fussed quite a bit. And Matthew finally convinced me (after many tears on my part!!) to send Liam to the nursery so we could get a little rest. I spoke with his nurse the following morning, and we both decided the little guy loves to suck and that he needed a pacifier...cause Momma can't be his paci!! Consequently, all our nights since have been wonderful (knock on wood!!). That morning we also learned that we could all go home!! Thursday afternoon, after we finished all the paperwork, met with the lactation consultant one last time, and got all my meds squared away, we came home! It was nice to finally bring our little guy home to see everyone. Mom, Nelson, Brenda, Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb were all at the house to welcome us. We took lots of pictures and everyone got a cuddle. Madeline and Darryl headed home Thursday afternoon, and then Dad & Rebecca came and met Liam for the first time Friday night. Saturday afternoon, Liam met Shannon & Kevin. Saturday night we went out to dinner to celebrate Mom's birthday (which was Friday) and it was Liam's first trip out. He did great and slept through the whole meal!!

Sunday morning, Mom, Dad, Rebecca, Matthew, and I took Liam to Mass for the first time. He did great again...he really is a good baby! And I know we're lucky! Sunday afternoon, everyone headed home and Matthew, Liam, & I took a nap. Matthew was able to take Monday & Tuesday off from work and we ran a few errands with the little man, rested, and just got to spend time as a family together. Matthew headed back to work yesterday and it's just been me and Liam here at home during the day. Things have been going well so far...I ventured out of the house by myself with him today to pick up a few things. Hopefully things continue to go well...but I'm looking forward to having Matthew back this weekend!

Liam is a precious, beautiful, blessing and Matthew and I are so in love with him. He is a very good baby...He sleeps well at night (and during the day) and has to be woken up for night feedings, he is very alert and loves to look at faces and lights. He also LOVES music...he's mesmerized by it. He's a great nurser, and he loves his paci when he's done. He is truly a joy and I feel so incredibly blessed to call him ours!

I'm posting a few pictures of the little guy...and rest assured there will be more!! Matthew loves taking pictures of him!!

Thank you ALL for your love, support, and prayers...know that they were felt and that they are always appreciate. We feel blessed to have such incredible family & friends!

Love,
Matthew, Courtney, and Liam