Awhile ago I posted a very lengthy and detailed post earlier about Reese's birth
and I felt it necessary to write an abridged version. I love to keep all my posts somewhat chronological so it has been a great feat just to get Reese's birth story recorded and hopefully I can start to keep a better record from now on. He has been an amazing addition to our family. I had no idea how wonderful it could be to have a newborn in our house again! He has healed my heart completely. He is such an amazing, loving, patient little baby who loves his brother fiercely and his daddy who gets to stay home with him two times a week. I couldn't imagine life without him!
8.20.2014 @ 4:56pm
6 lbs 13 oz.
19 1/2"
Saturday , exactly one week before Reese's due date, I started feeling a little ill. That night contractions started and kept me up all night, but petered out early in the morning around 3 or 4am. I was sure we might go to the hospital and he would be born on Sunday, but nope! Drew went to work Sunday after I begged him not to. Again, I thought I was going to end up at the hospital and I wanted him there! He cam home from work at the gun show later that day and asked me how I as doing. I think he thought something might happen too. But I had absolutely nothing to report. I did end up going to church with Asher at the Stake Center for a special service in light of the extraordinary efforts to rescue an elderly woman in our ward. Asher was awesome for me and colored the entire time and was so sweet. Tuesday morning, the day Reese was born, I woke up having had very little sleep and ran to get dressed and jump in the car to get to my regular 39 week checkup. I didn't mean to skip breakfast, but I was running late. Dr Garcia checked me out and listened to the heartbeat. He determined that I was about 3 or 4 cm dilated, but only 50% effaced. Since this was my second we both determined there was no way no know if I was close. Just in case Dr. Garcia scheduled me for an induction for the next week, Wednesday or Thursday (my birthday) since I was losing insurance at the end of the month. I went home, ate breakfast while Drew and Asher worked in the garden and played in the yard. I went out front and talked with my neighbors Sandie and Harvey for about an hour then came inside and wrote an e-mail update to my family.
I started feeling contractions around 11:30am and to my surprise they were pretty regular... around 5 min apart. Drew called his sister and she came up from Gardnerville with her husband John to babysit Asher. I took a bath with Asher then Drew put him down for his nap. I called Danielle Taylor (an RN in our ward working in postpartum at St Marys) and my doctor then headed to the hospital.
We arrived at the hospital at 2:30pm. Drew was amazing applying counter pressure on my lower back and helping me breath. We also kept it light and fun. I was extremely calm through the whole thing and I was determined to trust my body that I could do a regular birth. I told the nurse I didn't need an epidural, but that I was open to it if things got really really rough. In essence I did still want a natural birth, but I didn't want to make the mistake of having a adamant "birth plan" like with Asher. I just was super relaxed and ready for anything, be it an epidural or a c-section. Even though I wanted a natural VBAC I knew there was also a good chance I could end up with another C-section. I had made my peace with that. My water broke at 3:15pm and things got really intense! I asked for the epidural, but I was already complete (around 4pm). Nurses rushed in and started prepping my room. I asked to stand up and the nurse brought out the squat bar. Dr Garcia was stuck in a surgery and so was the second doctor so the midwife in Dr Garcia's practice, Lynn Anderson came in to deliver. Reese Emery was born at 4:56pm. I got to hold him right away and nurse :) It was more painful and hard than I could have imagined, but I was so happy to be done and have him in my arms! I was so exhilarated to have been able to do a VBAC! Drew was able to hold him next and he shed a few tears of joy and took him over to be weighed and measures. To my surprise he was a mere 6lbs 13oz and 19 1/2in compared to Asher who was 7lbs 10oz. The midwife told me if Reese had been 7 lbs 10oz then I would have been pushing for another hour! I just thanked my lucky stars that he was small and perfect and everything aligned magically for the most amazing birth experience. My sister-in-law was there to greet Reese as well and take pictures. Soon afterward Drew's mom arrived and held Reese. I was able to nurse again before they took him to the nursery and Drew left with his mom to put Asher down for the night.
I walked over to my recovery room after that and Allie & John came to visit Reese. Drew came back to the hospital as well to stay with us overnight while Julie stayed at our house with Asher. The next day I was discharged with Reese and we went home where great grandma Marjorie was waiting for us with grandpa Bob and grandma Julie as well as Aunt Allie and Uncle John. The second we came in the door Reese was delivered into the loving arms of his great grandma Marje. How brand new he was! Asher also loved to hold Reese and everyone took turns holding the new baby :) We have been waiting for such a long time to see our future family come to fruition. We have prayed and struggled and waited, but I love that Drew and I can come together on a united front with our Heavenly Father and know that the decision to start our family right now is correct and we are right where we need to be. I love my two little boys. I never imagined what motherhood would be like, the absolute growth and changes in me have been amazing and beautiful. I never knew I could love so deeply. Truly I have a been better able to understand Heavenly Father's love for me and all his children. Welcome Reese Emery Hines.
And here is Drew's sweet story of Reese's Birth
And here is Drew's sweet story of Reese's Birth
Reese Emery Hines
8/20/2013
The day you were born, your brother Asher stayed at home
with Aunt Allie and Uncle John while we went to the hospital. We arrived and
got a nice room, and we didn’t have to wait long for you. You wanted to come
and say hi, and you didn’t wait for the anesthesiologist or either doctor who
was supposed to deliver you! Instead, after just 3 hours in the hospital, out
you came, with Aunt Charlotte there waiting for you to take pictures. You were
born healthy and with a head of hair! But not as much as your brother. You had a few visitors in the hospital, but
didn’t spend much time there. We only stayed one night in the hospital before
bringing you home. Waiting for you were grandma Julie and grandpa Bob, and
great-grandma Marje. Everyone was very excited to see you and welcome you into
the family! You were given your middle name after your great-great-great
grandfather Emery. It is a very special name given to you to honor your family
and remember those who came before you. You are very loved and we’ve waited a long
time to see you.
