I know. Yes, we grow 'em big and precious around here.
Levi and I are roommates in the hospital until tomorrow. We have nothing on the agenda other than to be healthy for the doctors and to snuggle and stare at each other. It’s unfortunate that pregnancy lasts a grueling nine plus months and my precious baby will only be a newborn for about one month because I could seriously become addicted to newborns. I want to put time on pause and soak in everything about this baby boy. I miss him when the nurses take him away to do routine tests. Levi is so precious! He is perfect in every way—from his wide fat cheeks down to his long crazy toes. I feel as if my heart has swelled to capacity. Heaven is having Levi lie on my chest while I kiss the top of his soft head and breathe in that sweet newborn smell. I am so blessed to be a mother.
Levi Wade Nelson was born on Friday August 3, 2012 at 1:58PM in Twin Falls, Idaho. He weighed in at 9lbs. 9oz. and was 22 inches long.
Levi’s birth story began on Thursday when I went to visit the doctor for my 39 week appointment. The office did an ultrasound to estimate the baby’s size. It looked as if my second baby boy would be around 9lbs 1oz, give or take a full pound. So when the doctor announced that my cervix was at a three, he asked if I’d like to have my baby tomorrow. With those blessed words, Doctor Astin immediately became my new favorite person. Yes sir, I would love to have my baby tomorrow! Please put me out of this misery called late pregnancy with all of its aches and pains. The best part was that Bron couldn’t wipe the smile off his face either.
It was so nice to have the entire afternoon to prepare. Momma Nelson was even able to drive out that evening to take care of Jed for us. Bron and I felt so many emotions, ranging from nervousness to pure excitement.
Friday morning, Bron and I arrived at the hospital with bags in hand around 7:45AM. The nurses checked me in and hooked me up to the monitors. I tested positive for Strep B this pregnancy, so I would need two doses of antibiotics before I delivered. The worst part of the morning was having the IV placed in my hand with an 18 gauge needle. It took the nurse a while to find the right spot, (I couldn’t watch) but soon the water and antibiotics were dripping freely.
At around 9:30AM, the doctor came in and broke my bag of water. A half hour later, Bron and I were commanded to walk the halls in hopes of getting contractions started and labor moving along. It was so nice to have Bron at my side. I looked ridiculous in the hospital nightgown and white granny panties, but Bron held my hand and we talked as we slowly made our rounds. Soon the contractions started coming. Bron kept the time with his phone and let me lean into him as the contractions became stronger and more frequent.
By the time I crawled back into the delivery bed at 11:30AM and got hooked up again, the contractions were coming on long and strong about a minute or so apart. Labor was getting intense! I closed my eyes and tried to breathe through the waves of pain. Bron massaged my back; that’s where it hurt the most. Needless to say, I was ready for an epidural. Luckily, the anesthesiologist waltz into the room not a moment too soon and fifteen minutes after that I had a perfect epidural: I was pain free from the waist down but could still feel pressure.
At about 1:20PM, the nurse began to prep the room for delivery. When she pulled out the infant bed, I nearly cried. It suddenly became so real: a new person was about to arrive! Bron felt the same way. In just minutes, we were going to be parents to another little boy. It felt exciting and surreal! The nurse checked my cervix just before 1:50PM and declared that I was ready to push. The doctor and resident were called into the room. Everyone and everything was ready and in place. I don’t remember how many times I pushed. All I remember is the intense pressure and briefly wondering if I could do this again. I could feel the baby’s head. A few pushes later, I could feel that with just one more push I would feel relief. Bron cheered me on and I squeezed his hand.
Then suddenly Levi was here! He was light purple and wasn’t breathing. I immediately knew something wasn’t right when the doctor didn’t place him on my chest. Instead, Levi was whisked straight to the infant bed where the nurse began to work him over, trying to get him to cry. Oddly, I didn’t feel an ounce of panic. I knew Levi was going to be okay. Apparently, Levi had the cord wrapped loosely around his neck. The doctor was able to unwrap it during delivery, but Levi had also swallowed some fluid. Just a minute later, Levi let out a whimper and he began to turn a healthy shade of red. The nurse was trying to make him angry, but Levi simply didn’t care. By the time the doctor put three measly stitches into me, Levi was ready to snuggle and nurse.
Bron and I enjoyed a peaceful sublime hour, just the three of us in the room. We soaked in Levi’s newness and reveled in the thought that we had just created another life, another family member. In those moments, we felt a little closer to heaven. There is nothing on earth quite like a brand new life.
I’m surprised by how good I feel this second time around. Labor and delivery was so much shorter and smoother; I hardly tore. My body knew what it was doing. This time, I also know what to expect: what goes on in the hospital, what my body is doing to recover, what it means to be a new mom. I’ve done a version of all of this before and it’s much less stressful the second time around. I’m on cloud nine. I’ve never been happier.
The part I
am nervous about? Adjusting to caring for two little boys at home. But I believe that in time, that too will become second nature.
I love you, Levi. Somehow, you make me feel more complete and you’ve only been here a day.
