My Rock

Every morning after I've fed my little monsters, I get online. Check Facebook, instagram, email, sometimes gawker, jezebel, or some other sleazy girlie gossip website, blogs I follow, and sales of the day through numerous websites. (this is all depending on the day of course) Today, I read a discussion between women talking about having their husband in the delivery room with them during labor. Good read. Some women went way overboard praising their husbands, some bashed them for not being there, and some went completely off topic talking. Of course as I read some of these stories, I couldn't help but to get teary eyed, (I'm such a sap) and have flash backs of my own labor and delivery.

Oh what a sweet and scary time. With Jackson, he was premature. I remember I actually drove myself to the doctor because Nick's boss wouldn't let him leave. He said, and I quote, "It's probably nothing. Women like to exaggerate". Well, considering they spent the next twelve hours trying to stop my labor to no success, I'd say I wasn't stretching any sort of truth.  Unfortunately, that part of the story is one I don't like being permanently stuck in my memory. Driving and contracting is NOT fun!

Nick was great, and so concerned during it all. Asking the nurses questions, holding me while I cried about how scared I was. I had heard just awful things about having a premature baby, I was terrified. Not to mention I had absolutely NOTHING prepared. No clothes had been washed, the crib wasn't put up, I still had books to read on what to expect from a newborn. We stayed over night in hopes to be able to go home the next morning. (Note, sleeping in the labor ward is torture. Hearing a woman scream wildly for half the night really scares the poopie out of you when you're still nice, big and pregnant) Once the sun rose, the staff came in to check on me. Afterwards the nurse says, "Well honey, you're at a 5, so looks like you'll be having a baby today". WHAT?!! I wasn't due for another 5 weeks! I couldn't do that!! No way, not ready, please can we wait?! Nope. He's ready, your body is kicking him out.
...damn it.

Before I know it, I'm in the worst pain imaginable, crying my eyes out..absolutely petrified. Was able to get the epidural. Oh what a miracle drug. The doctor who invented that was an absolute genius. I actually took a nap and had to be woken up to start pushing!! Pushing (for this labor) was a breeze! The nurses, the doctor, and my husband all had a bet on when the baby would come. Popular vote was before 3pm. They're laughing, I'm laughing, pushing, laughing. Oh it was crazy. I've never heard of anything so absurd. Nick was there. The whole time. Following doctor's orders, encouraging me, making me feel more than loved. One more push, a huge gush of disgusting bodily fluid all over the doctor, and some more laughter and our first born arrived. Ohhhh he was beautiful. Nick and I cried and laughed, and laughed and cried, we were so happy.

Then, the scariest thing happened. Just as they laid him on my chest, they snatched up and hurried him out of the room. I didn't see him again for nine hours, and didn't hold him for three days. Because he was premature, his lungs weren't fully developed. I think he actually stopped breathing and that's why everyone freaked. The nine days we spent in the NICU seemed like an eternity. I was an emotional mess, (actually kinda crying just typing this..) I was engorged, antsy to get home, and tired. So tired. I couldn't have asked for anyone better than Nick. He waited on me hand and foot. Went to see the baby as much as he was allowed. Went and got me fresh clothes, good food, and he just let me be. Let me cry and told me that everything was going to be just fine.
...and it was.

With Kinsley....

Boy were things different with that little girl!! I was convinced that she was going to be early as well. Every day after I hit 35 weeks I would say, "I could have a baby any day now!"
Nope, I was pregnant for another whole month. We actually had to kick HER out (will never happen again, pitocin is the devil). They started the drip at 6am. I honestly mentally prepared myself for a whole day's worth of laboring. Before you know it, I'm in serious pain. He was right there. I never had to ask for his support. Most times he knew what I needed before I could think it. Spoke for me to the nurses when I couldn't. Funny how just a look can tell your spouse of many years exactly what you're thinking.

 Through my screaming, he did his best to take care of me. Again, following doctor and nurses orders to hold my foot back. I heard the nurse tell him I was pretty strong, I think she even compared me to a WWE wrestler. At one point, I even bit his finger. I feel bad for that, but I really didn't know what I was doing. That is, until I heard the nurse pleading with him to make me stop. Apparently laboring woman with no pain medication doesn't know her own strength!!

I wouldn't have been able to do survive without him there. Well, I wouldn't have been in that situation to begin with if it weren't for him. He coached me, helped me remember to breathe, got me a cool rag repeatedly for my head. Just made me really feel loved and cared for. Not that he doesn't always do that, but anytime I truly NEED him, he goes above and beyond. When our little girl finally came rushing out, his face was remarkable. Such a proud Daddy. I remember panting, and smiling, and waiting to hear her precious cry. We didn't have to wait long. She was prefect through and through. I think Nick took about 300 pictures within the first three hours of her life. It was the sweetest thing ever.

He balances his roll of Daddy and husband perfectly.

Oh we have the most outrageous fights. We're awful sometimes, but most times...we are great. He is a brilliant care taker and I don't think anyone has ever or will ever love me more than him.