Everett Lynn Call

 

I have a surreal feeling writing this post. The past couple days were an honest to goodness blur of the unexpected. I am so grateful everyone is healthy, mostly happy, and flourishing in spite of the changes.

Wednesday morning I had a Dr appt. I was dilated to a 2 and "soft & squishy" according to Dr Shaw. I usually stall out at a 2 so had no concerns. We scheduled my induction for the 31st and went on with the day. I really needed to rearrange our bedroom in order to fit the bassinet near my side of the bed. Moving our heavy mattress and all started some contractions. Justin came home in time to scold me and help me put everything back together. I had mild to medium contractions all night...throw in some nightmares about having a baby without everything in order and my night was not so restful. We also got out the car seat only to find it expired Dec 09. Bummer. That means a new car seat. Thursday I took it easy but still had constant contractions. Alison offered to take some photos of me and the kids if I set up my studio stuff and primed the camera. I started to feel really nauseous while she took photos. Alison left Ella with me so we could go to the library. I called the nurse to let her know what was happening and consult with the Dr. She asked me to come in for observation as soon as possible. Justin came home from work to sit with the kids while I went in for an hour of observation. Thankfully, I packed a bag in case I was not able to come home. I arrived at the hospital at 11:45. Rose Bowcutt agreed to come over and watch the kids until Alison finished Morley's birthday party stuff.

Dr Shaw come to see me around 12:20, the contractions were pretty mild but still going strong. I was dilated to a nice 4 and 70% effaced. Dr Shaw advised we go ahead with the induction and have the baby as soon as possible. Her husband was leaving town and she did not have anyone arranged to watch her kids after normal work hours. Since I was progressing that sounded like a good idea. I had to go through a bag of IV liquid and antibiotics before pitocin. The nurse started the drip at 1:30. Justin arrived with my camera (way to go sweetie) and bag. He had to go home because all the memory cards were on my computer. By 3:30 Dr Shaw came in and broke my water. The contractions were pretty strong and I had to power breathe through the contractions. I was at a 6-7 and 75% by this time. I got an epidural. The anesthesiologist was aware of my spinal complication so erred on caution and did not make it to the epidural space. The epidural seemed to work for a moment but then it did not work. He tried a different mix of meds that did nothing. I heard him say he'd be back in a little while to try the epidural again. I yelled at the nurse to check me because the contractions were so hard and painful that I was about to faint. She checked me and yelled, "cancel that epidural and other pain meds...and get Dr Shaw!" A couple moments later Dr Shaw walked in the door. She passed by on a whim, one of her clinic patient's was throwing a fit and she decided to take a breather before resolving the issue. Good thing! She barely made it in time. The nurses were scrambling to break apart the bed before the baby crowned. I was in a totally different realm of reality. I am not a screamer, during those moments of transition I would have put the best Hollywood bimbo to shame with my screaming ability. Dr Shaw used her very best Mommy voice, which worked better than anything, to say "Jenni look at me, let's do this!" I screamed LET'S DO IT!!!! Two pushes later Everett head came out. The cord was tightly wrapped around his neck so she wanted me to stop pushing. From what I hear scissors and cord, etc was flying about until his shoulders came out. He was born at 4:20 pm. Holy smokes, the relief. Everett needed oxygen due to the cord around his neck. He pinked up within a couple minutes. That kid has the loudest cry I've heard from a newborn. He is constantly mewling and making noises. He peed all over Dr Shaw, way to go kid! His poor face is all bruised and discolored from coming out so fast. Like my other kiddos he nursed like a champ right off. I think he will earn the award for the most vigorous nurser. After the nurses helped me clean up I was ready for a regular room. I also swear hearing Justin say: "I've never heard her scream like that from pain, she deserves to name him!" He later denied saying that but I KNOW he said it. We agreed on his middle name before leaving the hospital.

We were all settled in by 7 pm for the night. The nurses maintained the heat at a roasting 75 degrees. I could not sleep it was so hot and sticky in our room. Plus the nurses have to come in every 45 minutes to take your vitals. I had Everett sent to the nursery for a bath around midnight. They kept him until 4:00 am. He was so hungry that he got some formula and slept from 2:00 to 6:30 am. At one point I had a party in my room when my blood pressure was 84 over 38. I told them repeatedly my blood pressure is low, even lower at sleep. They made me get up, eat, drink, until my blood pressure registered normally.

Dr Shaw picked up Everett at 7:30 for his circumcision. She said that his future wife will one day thank her for her amazing circ skills. I had to laugh! She is pretty funny and a bit hyper. I snagged a shower and breakfast before Justin and Everett showed up. Alison brought the kids over around 11. Amelia was so excited. The whole hospital setting was a little unnerving for both Amelia, Ella and Phillip. Amelia got to hold Everett first. Phillip was pretty shy but had a moment of joy when Everett started crying and his hat fell off. That was pretty hilarious to the him. He loved exploring all the wires and hydraulics in my hospital bed. We stayed in the hospital until Everett reached 24 hrs old. We were home by 5 pm! Alison kept the kids last night so we could have a night alone at home.

Everett got the third child treatment. He cried off and on between midnight and 3 am. He cried so loud I did not sleep but almost drowned in tears listening to him. Every 20 minutes I'd check on him to make sure his diaper was clean and burp him. After the 3 am feeding he slept until 7 am. Alison brought the kids home at 11 am. The rest of our first day as a family of 5 was a little overwhelming. Phillip trying to share his new Panda toy, throwing blocks at me, laughing hysterically when Everett cries, squeezing himself into the swing wearing Mia's black church shoes, trying to breast feed, and tearing the toys out while I nursed the baby. Amelia held Everett as long and often as possible. She loves to kiss him, snuggle me while I nurse, and hated even 10 minutes outside because Everett was inside. Both kids have runny noses and a cough. Thankfully, Phillip thinks hand sanitizer is hair gel and uber cool. We love hand sanitizer!!! Thanks to everyone for all the well wishes!

Name: Everett (my maternal grandfather) Lynn (my paternal grandfather) Call
Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz
Length: 21 inches
Time of Birth: 4:20 pm

He has long skinny limbs, long skinny toes and fingers. He has a smattering of dark hair. This kid LOVES to suck. He would suck his fingers/binky 24 hours a day if possible. He cries very loudly and has the cutest little chin quiver. My favorite is his little double chin, so out of place with the rest of his skinny self...it reminds me of a turkey waddle. LOL. He smells like heaven and cuddles like a champ. I need to go snuggle my newest little man. Night!!!