At the Hospital- LIVE UPDATES!

Hello, blog readers and random internet stalkers!
I've opened today's blog to keep you up to date on my labor progress as it occurs.
Nathan is going to be my guest blogger today and will add info as he can if I'm unavailable.... so check back often for continuous updates throughout the day!

8:00am I have my IV's in which took forever and 2 nurses because they had problems with my veins

8:30 They started the Pitocin (drug to start contractions).

9:30 I'm now contracting now and waiting around for them to get bigger.

9:35 Nathan is pacing.

10:15 Nathan here Amber's contractions are picking up. She's starting to feel some pain, but barely. There is a well worn path between her bed and the bathroom. It seems the IV is dripping direcly into her bladder

10:30 Nurse Nathan is taking good care of me. He's in charge of unplugging my IVs when I have to pee, pushing my IV cart around, and then putting my blood pressure cuff back on. Ok, so he got the cuff a little too low and it just about squeezed my arm off. I'll still keep him.

11:47 Nathan again! Amber got her epidural at 11:30. All went well there - she can't feel anything from the waist down now! She now has to lay flat on her back until noon. We're waiting for the doctor to come and break her water. She's on the phone with her dad at the moment :) Oh yeah, and I just went downstairs to get some pizza and breadsticks. Mmmmmm.

12:03 Amber here! I'm laying in bed, numb from the waist down. The epidural guy really hooked me up with some good stuff. I'm hungry and wishing I had a really big cheeseburger. We're still just waiting for the doctor to come and break my water. I'm having contractions but this epidural is so good I can't feel them. Yay!

12:05 I forgot to mention that they have Facebook blocked here. I think Nathan can access Facebook mobile from his phone but I don't have that fancy stuff set up.  Facebook withdrawal.........

12:30 The nurse just did a 'check' and I'm only about 3cm (I started at 2 cm when I came in this morning). We think that when my water breaks that number should go up pretty quick..... we hope!

12:36 Nathan again - they just broke her water. Almost 4 cm. And I am going to the fridge to get a coke.

13:01 Nathan again - we're goin' military time! Huzzah! Couple notes about what's going on:
1.) Everytime Amber laughs she oozes fluid. Niiiiiiice.
2.) It is fun to make her laugh.
3.) They gave her this really nice mug, but she can't drink anything. More laughing.
4.) Anyone wanna skype??? (Just kidding!)
5.) The couple that blogs together stays together. (Haggariah 14:1)

13:27 Nathan. Our nurse has a violent aversion to ketchup. Afterbirth? Placentas? Needles and shots? No problem. Ketchup. She's grabbing for the trash can.

In other news they just took a reading of Amber's contractions and they are strong and consistent!

14:04 (Amber is dictating this one to me ;P ) Almost asleep. Phone rings. Machine beeps. The nurse checked me again. 90% effaced. 5 cm. It seems some of you are enjoying the live video feed (kidding!) Nathan figured out the recliner and the beep woke him up from his nap. Ha. Ha. We will also provide live traffic updates as we have a clear view of I-69 and 82nd St. Might do weather - we'll see.

14:21 Nathan here. She's at 8 cm. She's putting on a mask. The oxygen mask. Ooooooh. Fun stuff! Baby's heart rate just dropped too, which means she probably literally dropped! Is she coming?! Oh, yeah, and I just handed Amber some chapstick.

14:26 There are like 6 people in her now. Amber is ready to go. Wow that was fast! Getting ready for the first push!!!

14:29 Doc is rolling in soon. Getting ready for the first push! Wait for it! Wait for it!

14:35 Doc is here. Amber is getting situated to push. Others are rolling in! Doc said I get to cut the cord again!!!!! Doc can see her head - no pushes yet even!

14:38 BABY IS HERE!!!!! BABY IS HERE!!! BABY IS HERE!!!

15:50 OK! Time for the big update! So much has happened!

Her name iiiiissss (drum roll, please):

KENNEDY MAY

6 lbs 3 oz.
19 1/2 inches
Born at 2:37 PM! Amber did extremely well! In fact, if I may quote her "That was easier than a dentist appointment!". (Hopefully that is encouraging for all you soon-to-be mothers out there!)

I don't know what to say (this is Nathan). God is soo good! Better than we deserve!

16:06 Hello! OK, so am I efficient, or what? I went from 5cm to 10 cm in just no time at all and felt the baby literally coming out. The room and nurses were not ready nor was the doctor there yet. Lots of rushing around while I'm saying "She's coming out!". The doctor arrived and then they told me to push... I pushed once but it didn't feel like pushing; it was too easy. Then the baby was out. I think the pushing was under 3 minutes for sure. Kennedy cried at first but she hasn't made a peep since and has been quiet and content. Just perfect! And, for those of you keeping track.... yes, we are having a baby during an ice storm.! Now, I'm hungry and hope my cheeseburger gets here soon. :)
PS The middle name May is after my Grandma; it's her middle name.



20:55 We've had quite the evening. Both sets of grandparents were able to make it in the ice storm to get here and visit tonight. Keegan came too and wasn't a big fan of his sister but slowly warmed up to her. I'm feeling pretty decent but I'm having some pain now; I'm hoping the drugs kick in soon. :)
The doctor told us that if I went into labor at home instead of being induced today that we wouldn't have made it to the hospital; Nathan would have delivered her. We are thankful for how we were able to be induced today!
Kennedy is quiet so far and just very content. She hasn't really cried or anything hardly; what a night and day difference than our experience with Keegan!
Here are some pics from today:




PS The winner with official bragging rights (on guessing the date of birth) is MARIAH! Way to go, Mariah!!!!!!!!!!
PSS Thanks for everyone's comments and notes!