Well, at least one Davis is early!

I know it has been 9 days since it all went down in a blaze of midnight glory, but I have to share the wonders of Blueberry's latest adventure- BIRTH!

Announcing our wonderful, adorable, lovable, and perfect little man-

Emerson Ryder Davis!

Born October 16, 2013 at 6:07 a.m.

Weighing in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces

19 inches long

Here is the REST of the story! (It is rather long, but I really don't want to forget all these details!)

Having already planned to give birth at Mercy Gilbert Hospital, we had luckily toured, registered, and taken our classes (as you already read about), but other than that, we really weren't ready for our little bundle to decide to join us nearly 3 weeks early! I was at 37 weeks, 3 days, and had no indication of early labor at all throughout the pregnancy, much less the day he decided to arrive!

At about 11:00 p.m. on October 15, after returning to work following my 2-week fall break, I had just finished a really productive day after the best sleep I had had in days. I got most of my work done in a timely manner that Tuesday, feeling really confident in my ability to finish the rest of it in the following 2 weeks until my maternity leave was set to start. I always spend Tuesday nights on my own, since it is Kyle's guys' night out, and so I had attended prenatal yoga, had dinner on my own (a salad), talked to my mom about my last blog post and her concerns about my mental health after reading it, and settled in for the night. I was feeling restless, which is not uncommon for me on the night before going back to work. I sent Kyle a text and asked him when he was planning on heading home. He joked that he was going to the casino, but showed up about 11:30. By this point, I had a terrible back ache, and politely begged him for a tennis ball massage of my lower back. Again, this is not uncommon to me by this point, as my back has hurt more and more throughout the third trimester.

And then... I turned over in bed and felt the pop. That indescribable, but undeniable popping sound and sensation that told me things were about to change for the rest of my life! I remember just laying there, wondering when I'd feel the gush of my water breaking. Baby Blue was still moving about, but it took about 5 minutes before I felt the warm sensation like I had just peed. But I didn't pee. I started to call out Kyle's name. I called, and called, and then finally, I called. No, I mean, like picked up my cell phone and called him. He was just downstairs, in a zone of video games and TV. I feel the need to revisit one of my popular wedding blog post's genre at this point to depict the six hours that followed more accurately.

Kyle: Hello? What's up hon? (probably expecting me to whine about needing another back rub or some water.)
Erica: Honey, my water just broke. I need you to come up here and bring me a towel.
Kyle: Like, your water broke, like this is labor. Like this is the real thing?

[10 seconds later, Kyle arrives at the door, runs in the bathroom closet and grabs a grubby old towel, hands it to me]

Erica: Ok, I am going to head to the bathroom to check this out.
Kyle: (already beginning to get frantic) Ok, well, this is really happening, huh? Are you having contractions?
Erica: No, not really contracting, but feeling the adrenaline and now I'm wide awake.

[In the bathroom, I'll spare you the details, but the decision is made that my water has most definitely broken. 4 towels and some time later:]

Kyle: Should we call the doctor?
Erica: Yes, probably, who else can we call. Oh wait, it is 12:30, your brother is just getting home from work. Call him!
Kyle: (calling his brother) Casey, so lets just say someone's water just broke. What should we do now?
(not sure what happened at this point as I was distracted and only heard Kyle talking about getting stuff together).
Erica: I should probably call the doctor.

[Dials the doctor, pushes 0 to get the doctor on call, gets transferred to an answer service, waits to get transferred to doctor, doctor is not answering, gets answer service to leave doctor a message. 5 minutes later, the phone rings in a call back from the doctor. Doctor tells me it is ok to wait a little bit, to pack up and take a shower, but that once your water breaks, you should try to get to the hospital pretty quickly.]

And the rest of the play looks a little like one of those sketch comedy segments that they run in fast forward to emphasize the chaos of the situation. I get in the shower, while my water continues to "break", and Kyle runs around getting things together to bring to the hospital. The following list includes all that we did in that hour before getting in the car to head to the hospital:
-Packed clothes for Kyle, and some PJs and robe for me.
-I showered and then had to change about 3 times due to the mess. Finally settled on a tank, sweater, and sweats that I didn't care about, and grabbed an extra towel.
-Started laundry as we hadn't washed any of the baby's clothes.
-Called Casey and Karen and sent texts to the rest of the family that "It was time!"
-Called my mom (for the following 3 hours) until she finally realizes that a phone has been ringing and calls Kyle back
-Downloaded a contraction tracking app for our phones
-Started contractions that weren't too painful or frequent at first, for about 25 minutes, but progressed to 5 minutes apart by the time we got in the car

I know this is a lot of information by this time. Thank you if you are still reading.

We arrived at Mercy at about 2:00. By this point, I had 3-4 painful contractions. I wanted to be on all fours or standing, so the car ride was excruciating. In the ER, no one is at the check in desk. No one is in the waiting area. Kyle finally calls out to get an answer. As we are checked in, I am standing with my head down on the counter. Luckily Kyle thrusts my ID and insurance card at the clerk. A wheelchair arrives. My contractions are about 3 minutes apart by now. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

I get to triage. They tell me to put on the robe and then leave a urine sample. I could have given them a sample of amniotic fluid, it was all over the floor (sorry for the over-share), but not urine as I was then in a lot of pain and contractions were pretty much constant. I was in triage for about 3 minutes and they moved to admit me into a labor room.

The nurse came in, all I remember is requesting an epidural. They made me lay down to get my IV and to draw my blood, which I don't even remember. I remember gripping onto the sides of the bed and pulling while I fought through the pain. I had some serious back labor, so laying down was the LAST thing I wanted to do. I got hooked up to the contraction and fetal heart monitors. Then the nurse checked my dilation.

8.5 centimeters!!! WHAT THE CRAP!? It was only 2 hours since my water broke and I was about ready to push out a baby?! This is my first pregnancy, right? The one where labor is supposed to last 24 hours and move at a snail's pace. My only concern was that I was too late to get the epidural. I almost panicked.

Then my best friend arrived. The anesthesiologist. I love him. Somehow, by some miracle, he was available, and arrived by 3:00 a.m. to administer my epidural. Even though watching a video of one had previously freaked me out, at that moment, I didn't care as all I wanted was the pain to stop. I somehow fought through one last strong contraction sitting perfectly still (most likely because Kyle whispered to me that it was the last one I had to feel), and then PURE HEAVEN! I felt nothing. I made the comment "Why doesn't everyone get one of these?!" I lay down, completely relaxed. This was the point where Kyle finally got a hold of my mom and she headed on her way to the hospital. I had also made Kyle log in to my computer and get a sub for the following school day for me. The nurse came back and told me I was too numb to push, but was at 9 centimeters. I took a nap.

Mom and Kyle were great to assist me during labor pushes, which I started sometime after 4:00 a.m. I think I only had to bear down about 7-8 times (sets of 3 pushes during contractions) and I had Emerson Ryder on my chest. Being a little early, he didn't want to take his big breaths, and he had to spend a little time in the nursery with some oxygen, but he was here, and I couldn't believe it was all over after only 6 hours.

So, in the grand scheme of labor stories, I had a pretty great one. The rest of the 48 hours in the hospital are for another post, but now you all know about Blueberry's latest adventure... his whirlwind appearance into this wonderful world.

And henceforth, Blueberry shall be referred to as Emerson!

Pictures:

Pre-birth, post epidural

Emerson's first photo- not too bad for a new, newborn!

Weighing the little man

The cutest little feet- he got his dad's!

First mother-son picture (his eyes are gunky from the solution they put in them at birth!)

Stats

First picture of father and son!

Our "professional" hospital shot

Is the honeymoon really over?

A year ago, we were returning from our amazing honeymoon to Tahiti, in a state of pure bliss even after having to return to reality and work. As I returned to work today, I did so in a completely different state than I have been in for much of this pregnancy.

I am a mess.

From the beginning, I considered myself lucky in my pregnancy because I seemed to have relatively small amounts of discomfort. I was rarely too sick to function normally. I worked out and felt strong and confident. I even stayed small (still really haven't ballooned out too much) and felt like I was a cute pregnant woman!

And now, I feel like a house that has met its end: the foundation is cracked and now the creaking floorboards (my back) and pressure on the support beams (my hips) along with the leaks in the air systems (heartburn) are making me consider selling the place.

Everyone warned me that I'd hit this part. In fact, to see the positive side, I was told baby won't want to come unless I've gotten to the stage of feeling completely done with this pregnancy. Well, maybe this will help (like "The Secret")- I AM SO READY TO BE ABLE TO SLEEP COMFORTABLY (even if not through the night due to other reasons), and I WISH I COULD MOVE WITHOUT ENCUMBRANCE!

The happy, honeymoon stage of pregnancy is over. I have hit the "get me out of here" stage. At least my emotions are relatively stable.

OR NOT AT ALL!!!

Compounding on top of physical pain, discomfort, and fatigue, I cannot seem to stabilize my emotions, crying at the drop of a pin, feeling grumpy (that is probably a direct result of poor sleep quality), and wanting to strangle Kyle and other people who really don't deserve it.

So, I try to practice peace, relaxation, continue to attend pre-natal yoga, get in the pool when I can to relax, and hope that my return to work is a welcome distraction. Maybe all my nesting will help bring peace to my environment and that will transfer to my inner being.

Perhaps I can use these honeymoon pictures to practice visualization and turn things around, also!

Sunset on Moorea from the Intercontinental

The bay in Moorea

Sunset Beach, Bora Bora

Happiness in the ocean with the stingrays in Bora Bora

So excited for this honeymoon to Moorea!

How could this not make you happy?!

Soon I can Scuba again... soon...

Blueberry, even though I am complaining and cranky, I still love you!!

And now:

At nearly 37 weeks on The Farm at South Mountain- every year we have my birthday lunch here, but given the due date, we decided to go early just in case we don't make it out!

Is it really only 1 month?!

Today is October 3. Due date is November 3. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?

As I near the end of my first week of break, I realize that I really need to step up the preparations if we want to be fully prepared for this baby. (After I wrote that, I realized the idiocy of the statement "fully prepared"- like that is even remotely possible!)

This week I've taken care of some things around the house (some would call it "nesting"), shopped for outfits for maternity pictures (and bought a couple things for Blueberry), and made sure to stay active with two new forms of exercise- water aerobics and pre-natal yoga!

So, let me share my workout experiences with you for a little distraction (so I don't completely freak out that I only have a month left).

Water aerobics was a riot! Minus the totally bad 70's and 80's soundtrack of traditional "aerobics" hits ranging from Kool and the Gang to Whitney Houston, I actually felt like I was getting a great workout. We never stopped moving for the entire hour. The water was soothing and refreshing, and even though the class was held outside in the cooler night air, the water was warm and motivating since there was no gravity causing uncomfortable squishing of my internal organs while I jumped around. The bad part was that the old ladies, obvious class regulars, totally schooled me on some of the drills. For one, I could not do as many arm circles as they could with those silly foam dumbbells. Second, when everyone else seemed to be leisurely floating on their backs for ab work, I was struggling to get my feet and head above the water and not capsize! I was grateful that it was dark and no one could really tell how much I was struggling. At the end, I realized that even though I've been active and regularly working out, I did not get the chance to push myself, so I am not in the shape I believed I was in.

This only became more evident at my first pre-natal yoga class last night. I am not a huge yoga fan, because I like more high-paced workouts, but I know it is important for relaxation and for flexibility. I am kicking myself that I didn't go earlier in my pregnancy! It was GREAT for a support group! Everyone there except for 2 people were at 30 weeks or more. Thank heaven for extra padded mats, blankets, and blocks! Holding myself in Warrior 2, usually not a difficult feat for me, was a challenge. I guess trying to hold up nearly 30 extra pounds is a lot harder than I wanted to admit.

So, mission accomplished, stop working so hard and start checking things off my to-do list, and get active because I won't be busy with work.

Flashback Friday

A year ago, I was in Dillon, Colorado, celebrating my mom's birthday and our wedding weekend on a pontoon boat in the middle of Lake Dillon in a chilly 40 degrees. Looking back, it probably wasn't a good idea, but it was memorable! It was a great way to kick off the wedding weekend and catch up with family who had come from far and near for the most memorable weekend of my life (so far).

I had a sad moment last night, unable to believe it has been an entire year since that wedding weekend. It has gone by so fast that I am actually sad that an entire year of my marriage has come and gone. And what adventure it has brought!

So, in honor of my first anniversary with Kyle, this weekend I'll be featuring a retrospective of "One year ago today" pictures, juxtaposed with "and where we are now" baby bumps! We are celebrating our wedding weekend in the woods, hills, and cool air of Prescott, AZ and the vicinity.

One year ago today:

Lake Dillon when the sun was still shining

No baby bump here...

And today!

34 weeks! Less than 6 to go!!

Well, we might as well just say it...

I know that I've been withholding the information that everyone asks to know--our baby's gender--from this blog for a long time now. It is really quite silly, because all our close friends, family, coworkers, and even my students all know the gender. I was hoping for some divine inspiration for a creative way of announcing it, but alas all my creativity has been channeled into creating a cute nursery, keeping the interest of my students, or one of the other various outlets of my brain and time that consume my daily existence.

It's a... BOY!

Phew, now that I've gotten that out of the way, let me address one more thing that is now annoying the crap out of me.

NO, I will NOT tell you the name. 

 Half of the reason for this is that we can't really be sure we know it. Half the reason is that I've already told you everything else about this baby (and if I haven't yet, it will be coming in a blog post at some point), and I want to keep something to myself! Surprises are so rare in life, relish them.

Names have a lot of meaning, in my opinion. I deal daily with a litany of characters, both fictional and real, and many of their names have been ingrained in my mind for both good and bad reasons. That being said, every other teacher out there has the same issue and experience. Therefore, if my name was "ruined" forever by an insubordinate student, I don't want to know about it. All those names that have been ruined for me have already been eliminated. Relatives and close-friends' (who all beat us to the chase) names have been eliminated in round 1. The next challenge is finding a name that suits both the parents, which is a whole new challenge. Kyle will fight to the death to name our son "Jedi" if I let him. He's been throwing "Eduardo" out there for months. If he ever takes this task 100% seriously, I will be suspicious and that he is crying wolf. But somehow, we made an agreement (I think) and I feel like we've accomplished one more thing on our ever-lengthening list of "prepare for the baby to-dos".

So, in case you wanted the proof, here is the original gender revealing ultrasound of our little man, growing larger and more active every day.

This was taken during spirit week for Homecoming on Nerd Day with my coworker Elizabeth.

This was Farmer Day this past week. I did what I had to do with the belly getting in the way!

32 is my Lucky Number!

Here I am, in week 32. I have always had 32 as my lucky number. I am not even sure the origin of this becoming my lucky number, but I have referred to it for as long as I can remember as my favorite!

So, it only seems natural that this week is one of the best weeks of my pregnancy thus far, right?

Well, sure enough, as luck would have it, I lost something on Saturday night, but I have already found it!

My ankles.

You heard me correctly. It happened. My ankles went away. I came home from a 4-bar, I-am-the-coolest-pregnant-wife-on-the planet evening with great friends and family and sat on the couch when I noticed it.

My ankles no longer had ankle bones.

My calves continued right into my puffy little insoles.

Kyle tried to help assuage my shock by giving me a quick foot rub, but considering it was a 4-bar evening, this was an ineffective treatment.

So I sat with my feet WAY up on the back of the couch and downed some water.

Was it the super over-salted popcorn at bar #4?

Was it dancing to the blues band?

Was it simply drinking a ton of water, a tea, and a root beer over the course of the evening?

Or would my ankles be gone for good?

This story has a happy ending.

THEY ARE BACK!!! That is exactly why I am sure that 32 IS my lucky number!

Other positives of the week to further support my claim:
-Another clean bill of health at the doctor this week
-A great evaluation at school
-My sorority kick-off party is Thursday, which is always fun
-We got the baby's room painted!

Overall, I'd say that it would be hard to argue against the fact that this is a great week to be pregnant.

32 weeks (almost) in front of our newly-painted nursery wall!

A New Meaning to Labor Day

As a teacher, I just got my first day off of the school year (6 full weeks without a break!), with Labor Day. But I can't help but contemplate that "labor" will mean so much more to me in just 9 shorts weeks. That is right, only 2 months from today is my due date. I usually feel like 2 months is a long time, but when it comes to waiting on a baby to arrive, 2 months does not seem like nearly enough time to feel ready.

We spent our Labor Day weekend busy as usual. From bridal showers to pool parties, to dinners with friends and some catch up on TV, we sure know how to fill up a weekend. We even spent some time doing manual labor as we finally started to paint the baby's room!

Sneak peak picture for you...

Sorry for the finger glare... one of these is the color we chose for the accent wall!!

And it is hard to tell, but this is the gray base!

Hope you all had a relaxing and safe Labor Day weekend!

3 Months to Go!

We have made into my 6th month, approaching 27 weeks. It has really, in retrospect, seemed to have gone by quickly. I mean, a half a year of pregnancy?!

I feel energetic, I have definitely started nesting, and I am starting to feel like we're making progress on being prepared for the baby!

Here is the big belly shot.

The Stats

Due Date: November 3, 2013

Currently at 21 Weeks

Baby is about 12 ounces, 10.5 inches from head to heel

Gender: ?????? :)