Sean's Birth Story

We went in on May 30th at 11:30 pm for an induction. We didn't actually get into a room till close to 12:15pm and by the time I was all checked it, it was 1pm. The OB on call came in and went over my birth plan with us and we told her we wanted to avoid any sort of unnecessary interventions if at all possible. I didn't want an IV and if I was able to progress on my own, I didn't want pitocin for sure!

She was on board with everything as long as I was progressing within a reasonable time table. I had really wanted to labor in the tub and my regular OB was totally fine with it, but the OB on call was pretty conservative and wouldn't let anyone in the tub who had ruptured membranes. She said I could either start pitocin and leave my bag in tact or could have my bag ruptured and not go in the tub. So at 1:10pm she broke my water. I was 4 1/2cm dilated at the time.

We walked the halls, I bounced on the birthing ball, watched Charles eat Subway, and just chatted. At about 2:30pm I started having contractions. Within an hour or so, the contractions were picking up and I was starting to have to focus through them more. While walking the halls I'd have to stop and wait for the contraction to finish before continuing.

By 4:30pm they were really getting strong and were about 2 minutes apart. At this point I lost my MP and had a lot of bloody show.

At 5:30pm my contractions were VERY strong and VERY painful and I was using all sorts of methods and positions from the Lamaze method to get through them. Charles was being SO supportive and really helped me through every second of every contraction.

At 6pm I started getting really naseauted and asked to be checked. The resident on call came in a checked me at 6:15pm and I was only 5 1/2 cm dilated, but I was 100% effaced and 0 station. I was seriously so annoyed that I had only progressed 1 cm since we arrived and I was in SOO much pain. At this point I was thinking that I couldn't go much longer without getting some sort of medication.

And then it hit like a rock. I was throwing up with every contraction and seriously in the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. Our amazingly awesome nurse who was so supportive of a natural childbirth started prepping the room for delivery, even though I figured it'd be hours because of how long it took to get to 5 1/2. 30 minutes after I had last been checked I was feeling TONS of pressure and felt like I had to push. The OB came in to check me and it took her about .2 seconds to say "yeah, you're ready".

So at 6:50pm I started pushing. The only way I was actually comfortable was on my side so I did all my pushing on my side. So after 15 minutes of hard pushing and nearly ripping the handle off the hospital bed, Sean Patrick Raymond came out kicking and screaming at 7:05pm. He weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long.

I had a small 2nd degree tear that needed a few stitches but it was taken care of in just a few minutes, nothing like the hour+ it took to sew up the 4th degree tear I had with Ian.

The recovery from this birth has been so much easier. I was up and showering 45 minutes after Sean was born and I've felt pretty great from the beginning. What a blessing!

Bringing you up-to-date, part 1!

Between moving and having a newborn and toddler, I've had ZERO time to keep up with the blog. So I'll do a few shorters posts to get up to date. First, the update on our new house!

We closed on the house on June 15th and started moving small loads of things from the condo to the house during that week. We also painted the boys rooms during the week. On Father's Day, June 21st, we had our big move. We couldn't have done it without help from all our wonderful family and friends, so for the 100th time, thank you all!

We had our new couch delivered and our new washer and dryer were also delivered. They very well may be one of my favorites parts of the new house! I love having a laundry room in the basement instead of having to deal with the washer and dryer in the kitchen, like it was at the condo. The washer and dryer we chose are HE's, but the washer is a top loader instead of a front loader. They are much better at getting the cloth diapers clean than the front loaders are.

We're getting things unpacked, more slowly than surely, but it's nice to just be here and be able to enjoy our yard this summer! Ian LOVES the fenced in yard and Charles LOVES his new Weber grill he got for Father's Day. We've only used the hot tub once, but I'm sure once we're not spending our free-time or time after the boys go to bed unpacking, we'll make more use of it.

We have a long list of things we have yet to do but as I'm not working right now and staying home with the boys, we'll take those things one at a time when we have some surplus funds. The main things are a new dishwasher, a large area rug or just getting the basement carpeted, removing a tree in the backyard, privacy fence in the backyard and adding a tub in the basement bathroom.

Once we're a little more unpacked, I'll get some pictures up. I'm especially excited to get the boys' rooms finished! They're going to be so cute!

One month old!

Can you believe Sean is a month old already?! Time sure flies when you're moving with a toddler and a newborn!

For a comparison, here is Ian at one month old.

We bought a house!!!!

As of about 2:45pm yesterday, we are homeowners!!! We closed on our very first house and couldn't be more thrilled! It's a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath ranch in Janesville with an awesome finished basement, fenced in backyard and a hot tub! Once we get all our things in, I'll post some pictures. We're painting and slowly moving throughout the week, with our big move on Sunday. Very exciting!

Brooklyn is finally here!

At 6:02am on June 10th, Kristina gave birth to a healthy baby girl! Brooklyn Taylor Neumann was 1 week and 1 day late, but so beautiful! We were lucky enough to be able to go up to La Crosse on the 10th to meet her. Here is Sean and his new baby cousin, 10 days younger than him. Congrats Kristina and Dan!

First time in a cloth diaper!

Since Sean's cord stump just fell off, we were able to get him into a few cloth diapers today! So far, so good. Here he is in my favorite of his diapers, a Swaddlebees organic velour pocket diaper, size small. Sadly, he'll probably outgrow this diaper in a week or two! He was 8 pounds 11 ounces at the pedi today! Big Boy!

One week ago...

At exactly 7:05pm, one week ago today, this little guy-

made us a family of four and made this big guy-

a big brother!

Sean Patrick Raymond weighed in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 18 1/2 inches long. Everyone is home, happy, and adjusting to our new life! Birth story and more pictures to follow...