meeting graham

I'm finally getting a moment to write down Graham's birth story. I tell you what, it is a tad bit harder finding time to write stuff down with a toddler and newborn demanding so much attention all the time.  But nonetheless, it is important that I don't forget this wonderful time in our lives.

We welcomed our not so little Graham Timothy Knight to the world on July 3rd at 1:19 p.m. He came to us weighing a whopping 9 pounds 3 ounces.  He was also five days early due to an induction.  I'm so grateful Dr. Watabe was willing to do an early delivery or I think I would have had a 10 pound baby!

Lets go back to Monday night, the night before induction...

Darren had told me Sunday night that he was going to have to work late AGAIN...I wasn't too thrilled about this news because the week before he had spent every night working until 3 a.m. trying to coordinate a deal in China, plus a full day of work at the office.  So I was ready to have a calm relaxing last night hanging out with JUST Luke.  After crying about him working late for a focus group, he called and told me Monday afternoon that he had worked it out to be home at 5.  I was so relieved.  I was even up to making dinner (a rarity when I'm prego) and had tacos waiting when he arrived.  After eating dinner, I suggested we go to our favorite park for the night.  Darren shut that idea done so fast, and suggested we just stay here and go swimming.  I was easily persuaded, because Darren was doing most of the chasing with Luke anyways.  While Darren and Luke were upstairs changing into their swim suits, the garage door opens and I'm stunned.  It was JENNA. JENNA!!! She flew in just for 24 hours to be here for the arrival of her latest nephew.  

I was so happy to have her around.  Luke instantly latched on to her Aunt Jenna.  He showed her all her favorite things; trains, swimming, swings, toys.  We were all so happy to have her here for our big day!  I just feel really blessed to have her in my life.

The night slowly drug on, and Darren and I didn't get much sleep with the anticipation of meeting our next little boy.

We arrived at the hospital promptly at 7:00 am.  The nurses quickly got us to the delivery room, and then I heard the scream.  The lady in the room next to me was screaming like it was straight out of the movie.  I was sick to my stomach hearing it.  I said to my nurse "oh, she must be going all natural." and she quickly responded with a "you are going natural too, she's just doing it un-medicated."  I really REALLY liked that response :).

We then started in with all the normal things... IV, epidural, breaking of the water, monitoring contractions, etc.

My parents arrived shortly after I was put on pitocin, which was about 9:30ish.  Jessica (my labor nurse) upped the dose of pitocin around 10:30 when I was dilated to 6.  By 1:00 I was at a 10 and ready to push.

The great thing about Graham's delivery was that the epidural took away all the pain, but I could feel all the pressure.  I couldn't feel a thing during Luke's delivery.  I felt much more in control this time around, and it felt nice to be able to tell someone I needed to have this baby.

I was much more emotional when it came time to push because I knew how amazing it would feel to hold my sweetest baby boy.  With my mom and Darren by my side, we started pushing.  After one practice push, we called in Dr. Watabe to deliver the babe.

I pushed for 19 minutes and Graham was here.

I was totally overcome with gratitude and emotion when I held him for the first time.  He was beautiful and big! :)

The moments after delivery are always crazy as the doctor is finishing up with me, things are going on with the baby, and phone calls and pictures are firing away.  My dad, Luke, and Jenna were outside waiting and came in right after to meet the newest member of our family.

Luke wasn't/still isn't so sure about him, but I know it will come.  It is kind of nice that he doesn't show too much interest right now because I don't have to worry about Graham's safety.  I'm sure the worrying about Graham's safety with his big brother will come before my liking.

My hospital stay was great and I have recovered much much faster this time around.

Both of my labors have been amazing with my boys.  I'm so grateful they are both home and healthy.  It truly is amazing how your heart stretches with love and I couldn't imagine my life without Luke or Graham.