New Year, New Family

Jan 1st.

The first day of a new year. The day people "start over", make resolutions, and look forward to new beginnings.

Incidentally, it was also the first day of baby boy's life. 

We had plans to get together with his future parents for New Years Eve anyways, as an induction was planned for the next morning, but it seemed kiddo had his own plans. Contractions started in the afternoon as we prepped our traditional new years eve dinner. I continued cutting the veg, setting the table, and otherwise getting the house ready for guests as they got stronger and closer together. When our guests arrived I had been having steady contractions, about 8 mins apart, for a couple hours.

I had to talk everyone out of rushing me into the hospital right then, I knew we weren't quite there yet, but we were progressing. I made sure they sat down and had dinner while I busied myself with pacing around the living room and distracted myself from the contractions by updating twitter and Facebook. ;-) 

Time passed and we did what I am calling a "practice run" into the hospital where we were told "you aren't quite there yet, and since you don't live too far away, go ahead on home and wait until they get closer/stronger" 

About an hour later we were heading back.

After they decided it was serious enough not to send us home again, they checked us into a room and got me all hooked up to every dang machine they had. Within seconds the contractions eased off. Still steady, but not going anywhere. (just my luck) They stayed that way the rest of the night. The four of us got to have a nice camp out  in the hospital room, which was fun, but not really conducive to sleeping.

The induction went ahead as planned in hopes it would kick things into gear. Hours later after the pitocin drip wasn't doing anything, my water was broke. Well, that did it! 2 1/2 hrs later after the most intense pain I have ever experienced (seriously, had my first two natural, no drugs too, but they felt nothing like this one! Whew!) Little guy was born! 

The joy in the room was palpable. Tears flowed freely, hugs abounded. He was here!

A journey was over. 

A new one was beginning. 

A family was growing. 

A dream was becoming a reality.

He had brought us all together, and now he was here to take his place in their arms.