Maxwell's Birth Story

It's been a whole year since I gave birth to Maxwell, our second baby boy.  He is a total delight.  These past 52 weeks have flown by!  Which is why I am just getting around to writing his birth story!

This pregnancy was a lot different than my first.  Each was difficult in it's own way - I do not enjoy pregnancy and pregnancy does not seem to enjoy me.  This time around I didn't swell as much, I didn't gain as much weight, and I don't think that I cried as much this time.  However, I did get sick more and I had more pain early on which resulted in me wearing a support belt.  At times I would have to call in for back-up (of the Grandma variety) to help wrangle Mason because I just couldn't move (literally).  I even had to call Thomas one time because I was bent over unloading laundry and I couldn't stand straight up because I got some sort of a pinch nerve or something.  I had to crawl over to the couch and call Thomas at work, crying from the pain and laughing at the ridiculousness of it, telling him that he needed to come home because I was stuck and I had Mason to take care of.  Mason was very helpful throughout the pregnancy.  I was on bed rest for a couple of days somewhere around the middle because the pain was just too intense and I had mobility issues.

I thought that Maxwell was going to come early: 1) because of the pain, 2) because I had a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions throughout the pregnancy (which I didn't feel at all with Mason) and 3) because I had part of my mucus plug (sorry for TMI) fall out very early.  Alas, it was not meant to be.  I had said throughout my pregnancy that I needed to hold him in towards the end because his due date was less than three weeks from Mason's birthday.  Well, baby boy must have been listening - because we ended up having to evict him!

37 weeks

Around 38 weeks, I had started walking to get things moving.  I walked every day just doing circles around our block.  My neighbors would see me daily, "Still pregnant?"  Umm, yeah.  "How long are you going to do that?"  Until it works was my reply.  Well, it didn't.  We had an appointment set to get induced at 40w5d.  In the meantime, we were doing everything that we could to induce labor naturally.  But my tummy must have been just too cuddly for Maxwell, because he waited until our induction date.

During my weekly check-ups, I opted out of having my cervix checked because it was discouraging when I found out that I had not progressed from one week to the next with Mason.  Also, I figured that if a baby was about to come out of me, I didn't need to have my cervix checked to know it.  It wasn't until my 39 week appointment that I had them check me (I was 39w5d) because if something wasn't happening, then we needed to make a plan.  And since I knew when we conceived, I was comfortable knowing that he would be fully cooked.  On top of that, he was measuring about the same as Mason, and that is large!  When they checked me, I was only about 1cm dilated (pfft, that's nothing!) and about 50% effaced.  So, I allowed them to sweep my membranes to see if we could get something going within the next couple of days.  Spoiler alert: it didn't work.

In a way, being induced was nice since we had Mason to think of.  Grandma Sue came to stay with him and we were able to explain when we would be gone, what we would be doing, and when we would be back.

39 weeks

We checked in to the hospital at 6:30am.  A few hours later, after being checked by my doctor and still only being about 1cm dilated, they inserted citotech in order to soften my cervix.  They told me that I was having contractions before administering the citotech, but I hadn't felt them.  But after the medication was administered, I definitely could feel them!  I was more comfortable with my contractions standing, with Thomas to support me.  He helped me steady my breathing through the pain and being able to embrace my husband was just so much nicer than fighting through the discomfort on a bed.  After a while, we decided to watch some television shows to distract me from the pain and to help pass the time.  It was during this time that my water broke with a horrible gush- I started half-screaming, half-laughing, "Oh my gosh!!!  It's like I'm peeing!  It's still coming out!"  Thomas called for the nurse to let them know that my bag broke with me hollering in the background.  It was 11:30 a.m. now and I was dilated to 3cm.

Nurses kept coming in to see if I wanted an epidural, to which I always responded with a resounding "YES," but the anesthesiologist didn't come.  I swear that it took three times telling them that yes, I wanted the epidural before it was finally scheduled.  Two hours after my water broke, I finally had the epidural placed and I started to feel a lot more relaxed.  Problem was, since my water had already broken and the cushion of the fluid in my uterus had escaped, I was experiencing cord compression.  With every contraction, the cord was getting pinched between the walls of my uterus and Maxwell, which made his heart rate drop dramatically.  To help prevent this, I kept having to re-position myself.  But when I would move, so would the baby and the cord, and we would eventually have the same problem with each passing contraction.  To help alleviate this issue, an intrauterine monitor was placed and they attempted to put fluid back into me.  This did not work.

Not only did this not help with the variable deceleration in Maxwell's heart rate, but my constant re-positioning meant that my epidural was not being distributed appropriately.  One side of my body felt nothing, and the other side felt EVERYTHING!!  It was absolutely miserable.  I was in so much pain that I was shaking and having difficulty breathing.  They put me on oxygen and tried to get the anesthesiologist back in to see me and top me off with more medication.  Unfortunately, he was stuck in a surgery and couldn't get to me.  I waited almost two hours to get the relief that I desperately needed.  And it could not have come any later, because shortly thereafter, I was 10cm.

Pushing became a different kind of difficult.  Not because of the pain - but quite the opposite.  My second dose of medication for my epidural was so effective, that I felt nothing.  My lower half was completely and intensely numb.  My head felt a lot of pressure from my attempt to push and in between contractions (that I couldn't feel), I was getting ice chips and getting an oxygen mask put back on.  After a short period, I had to remove the mask and called for a bucket- I was going to be sick!!!  So here I was, pushing and vomiting the pathetic excuse of a lunch that I was given earlier (flavorless jello and hot water with a flavor packet).  It was terrible, but apparently not uncommon!  I couldn't feel if my body was responding to my brain telling it to push and I felt queasy from just having thrown up.  My head was pushing hard, but I didn't know if anything else was happening... but I guess something was!  After about 65 minutes of pushing, Maxwell James Bravo was born at 7:45 p.m. weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 21 inches long.

Mason - Year 2

Two years old.  Wow!  Congratulations, Mason!  You have made it... all the way to TWO!

In the last year you have transformed so quickly, it's difficult to keep track of your accomplishments and how much you've grown.  Your dad and I are both so proud of you and continue to be so in love with you.  When you were a baby, it was hard to imagine that things could get any better, but my boy, you have blown us away.  You are so smart and energetic, so kind and polite, so funny and inventive.  Sometimes it's entertaining trying to figure out where you get it from.

About you:

You thrive on a schedule.  Your internal alarm clock wakes you around 6 a.m. every morning.  Your routine is to get up, get changed and head to the kitchen for a snack and some milk.  You have lunch every day at the same time, dinner at the same time, bath at the same time and all following the same steps along the way.

You are very independent.  In the last few months, you have decided that you want to try doing more things on your own which includes buckling your car seat and booster chair.  You aren't afraid to ask for help, although you do say, "help you?" when you are asking for assistance instead of saying, "help me."  You want to open and close the car doors by yourself even though they are way too heavy for you.  You think that you help open the garage door by pushing it up and pulling it down.

You like to talk.  Your daycare teachers recently told me that you are more of an observer in school and that you are quiet.  That was shocking news to your dad and I as we have always noticed that you are quite the talker!  You frequently have conversations either with us, yourself, your books, or the characters on television shows.  I wanted to keep track of your vocabulary but you learn so quickly that it was impossible for me to stay on top of it.

You are so smart.  You can count to thirteen, you know all of your colors, and you sing along with the alphabet song.  You like to read books.  You often choose four or five every night for us to read together before you go to bed.  You can name all of the animals in your book about the ocean and most of the animals in your farm book including mimicking the sound they make.  You use sign language to say 'more' and you use the terms water, agua, juice, and milk interchangeably.

You are polite.  You like to say 'hi' and 'bye' to everyone as we pass by them.  You know to say 'please' when you ask for something and say 'thank you' when someone does something for you.  When I announce that dinner is ready, you come running and say, "Ooooh, dinner!  Thank you Momma," as you climb in your chair.

You get in to everything.  Every part of our home has been child-proofed, but that does not mean Mason-proof.  You know where to find the magnets to open our magnet locks, you can jimmy the baby gates open and closed, you can pop open the straps that close up the craft drawer in the living room.  When you get into your crafts, you like to spread the supplies around the entire living room and put stickers on most everything.  You still like to climb the cat tree and you dump over the dirty laundry basket on a regular basis.  You enjoy flushing the toilet and waving, "Bye bye poo poo!" even when there's nothing to flush.  You climb in the bathtub fully clothed to draw on the walls with your water markers.

You like to eat.  Your favorites are anything pasta.  You like chow mein and macaroni and cheese.  You can use a fork but choose to use your hands most of the time.  You have not mastered table manners yet.  My purse and my car have become extensions of our pantry- often housing cheetos, nutrigrain bars, and fruit snacks just in case you ask for "more snack" while signing for "more."  You like to share with us and you often feel that what is on our plate or in our glass looks better than what you have, even if it's the exact same thing.

You love your family.
Your favorite part of the day is when your dad comes home.  You run out to the garage and help him out of his car.  You frequently lunge at him for a hug so swiftly that I almost lose grasp of you.

You still cuddle with me on the couch although it's becoming less frequent.  Just last night, you were settled in among a bunch of pillows with one on your lap.  You pat the pillow for me to lay down and when I did, you pet my hair so sweetly.  I want to always remember that.

You still love your kitty siblings.  Asha just passed away a few months ago and you still ask, "Where's Sasha?"  You call Misty, "Sissy." Xerox is "Rox."  And Rascal is "Rocko."  You are very gentle with them when they allow you to pet them and all of them are your best friend when you are eating because you love to share.

We love you more.  We love you more and more every day.  We love you on the days that you are a sweetheart.  We love you on the days that you are not a sweetheart.  You challenge our patience when you are just being a toddler.  You challenge our hearts when we don't think we can possibly love you any more than we already do.

You have been such a blessing to us.  Happy Birthday Mason Boo.  We love you.

Mason - Year 1

You were born two days before your due date on the 2nd of May in 2012- but your Dad and I were ready to meet you!  You weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and were 20.5" long. 

You had dark brown hair when you were first born (I won the bet with your dad, who thought you would be blonde) but the older you got, the lighter your hair became.  Your eyes, however, stayed very blue.  I love your blue eyes.  You looked very much like me when you were super little but are looking more and more like your dad as time passes. 

Here is a little bit about the different parts of your life right now.

Me- Your Mommy:

I was meant to be your mommy.  I am so very lucky.  I get to spend every day with you and hug you and kiss you whenever I want.  My job let me work from home, so you didn't have to go into daycare.  Up until you started crawling around, I would hold you in one arm and work on the computer with the other.  You were always so content just having a little play area to yourself while I worked away at my desk. 

I was so attached to you when you were born that I cried when I had to leave the room.  I couldn't even leave the house without you until you were over 4 months old!  You are my little boy!  When you get upset, I can sing to you or put on some music and it calms you. 

You didn't like bottles or pacifiers, but before you even knew how to suck your own thumb, you would find mine!

 You have been very patient with me always taking your picture.  Every week I make you put on your white onesie and lay on a piece of fabric so that I can document your growth.  You are a great little subject.

 You like when I chase you around the house.  You squeal and run away.  Inevitably I catch up to you and you start laughing.  You like when I pretend to gobble you up and let you run away again- even though you know I will just catch you again.  You like to be scared and we love hearing your delighted screams!

 Your Daddy:

Your daddy loves you so much.  He works very hard to give us the nice life that we have.  I'm thankful for the sacrifices that he makes for us.  He works very long hours to provide for us even though he would much rather be home with us.  When you were first born, he couldn't keep his eyes off of you.  You are our little miracle. 

I like to catch you guys napping together.  It is one of the sweetest moments that I have ever experienced between the two of you.

Since I get to spend all day with you, Daddy takes care of your bedtime routine.  He works very hard so that he doesn't miss your bath time.  That is Daddy time.  He plays with your toys in the tub and blows bubbles for you to play with .  After your bath is story time.  You love to touch the books.

When we go out, Daddy takes charge!  He straps you in the baby bjorn and walks around with pride.  You are Daddy's little boy.

You also like to walk around on Daddy's shoulders.  Your favorite thing to do with him is to be on his shoulders while he runs around.  You throw your hands in the air and wave them around while yelling with excitement.  It's so much fun to watch you!  Sometimes you even bend around to see Daddy's face as if to say, "Hello!"

You two are so important to me.  You love your Daddy and your Daddy loves you!

Your Kitty Siblings:
Your kitty brothers and sisters love you very much... especially now that you have started dropping food on the floor!   You give them a bunch of new comfortable places to sleep and keep them alert with you always following them around!  I frequently have to take Misty and Rascal off of your changing table.  They think it's just another cat bed.  Asha and Xerox love to hide under your crib.  Your dad and I have had to sneak in there several times in the middle of the night because we accidentally locked them in there with you and they are screaming to get out.

When you first came home, Misty liked to watch you.  She seemed interested and protective of you.  She likes you more than she likes your Daddy!  She knows that you are her family.

 

Asha is Asha.  She will let me plop you on top of her and she won't move a muscle.  She is our little sloth.  If you try to get to her, she'll just grunt.  She might eventually move if you bother her enough, but she is forgetful and will come wandering back into the room 30 seconds after she leaves.

 

Xerox likes to join us while you are eating.  If you are still or sleeping on your Boppy, he will try to even climb on top of you to sleep.  For most of your life so far, this cat has been much heavier than you.  When I feed you a snack or meal in your highchair, Xerox is the first to come out and say hello.  He knows that you will drop food for him!

 

Rascal runs away from you when you chase him around the house.  He used to find sanctuary on top of the cat tree in the living room, but since you have mastered climbing that too there is no safe zone!  You laugh hysterically when he hisses at you for pulling his tail.  He has never hurt you though... not yet anyway!

All About You!

Now, you are a rambunctious little boy.  You climb on everything and get into everything!

When we take you to the park, you are more interested in looking at the trees than playing on the playground.  You love music, bright colors, and being tossed in the air.

You are a mover!  You liked your activity center so much, that I caught you trying to get into it to the point of getting stuck and hurting yourself.  I had to hide it from you!  You could really move in that thing!  You would charge full speed across the tile floors and slide your heels in order to stop.

 

You like to drum on things.  You don't even need tools- you use your hands.  You drum your hands on the couch, the floor, the cabinets, dining room chairs, anything that you can get to.

You like the water.  Now that you can really splash in the tub, that is about all that you do in there!  The whole bathroom is soaking wet by the time that you are done in there!

You are a great eater.  Your favorite things are spaghetti squash and pasta.  You like to share with the kitties by dropping food on the floor and even like to share with your Dad and I.  You aren't a fan of melon but you will never pass up a chance to snack on oranges or cherry fruit cocktail.

The house is in constant disarray- always covered in books, stuffed animals, blocks, sippy cups and sticky floors- but I wouldn't have it any other way.  You are our greatest accomplishment and we look forward to the gentleman that you will grow to be.  You have been such a joy in our lives.  We can't image a life without you.