JEREMIAH JAMES HAS ARRIVED!

[chantal21]

He is here! I am soooooooooooooooooo in love. I put some pictures up and will get some more on here soon as he becomes more alert.   My little miracle is 8lbs 4oz. and 20 inches long! Little bit of hair (longer in the back) but what is there is daddy's red hair with some blonde in it....TOO CUTE!!! He was 2 weeks early, but PERFECTLY HEALTHY!  I got to the midwife about 2:45pm on the 10th.....everything went REALLY quick until I hit 8-9cm.....Oh man...I thought I was going to have him really quick....but because his head was slightly turned...it slowed EVERYTHING down around 10pm. They had to give me 2 bags of saline water because I got so dehydrated from diarrhea even though I had 10 bottles of water all day.  I must have looked like a ghost or something, they were very concerned. I thought he would have been here on the 10th...but he decided to show up at 4:20 a.m. on the 11th after a long 6 hours in agony because nothing was happening, and the contractions were on top of eachother with no end (or so it felt) and EXTREMELY painful. I was perfectly fine until I hit 8cm and everything slowed down. My midwife was contemplating taking me to the hospital at one point, she kinda threw it out there as an option and that it could happen, so I was prepared. (and believe me, had they broken down and taken me I would have had an epidural) Thankfully they didn't and I held out just fine!! WELL WORTH THE PAIN....LET ME TELL YOU!!! =)  Would I do again??? YES....but come back to me in 10 years and then we'll talk! LOL!!!!                                      
Then we were thinking maybe we would just go ahead and break my water. After careful planning and ready to go to the hospital if the baby didn't respond well, she broke my water. His heartrate stayed great so it was okay. After she broke it, I pushed for an hour and 20 min and FINALLY he was out. WOW....that really hurt and it took a lot out of me. I have been soooooo tired these past five days. I can't believe he is here and only 5 days old! Daddy and I adore him so much and can't stop kissing him. I am so thankful that God has given me a son! I've waited so long for him!!
Oh yea...also, I did not have the water birth...I did however labor in the tub before I was 8cm and it felt great. After I was 8cm for hours on end, the tub really didn't work anymore....but because the baby was having position problems...they didn't want me to push in the tub. I was on the toilet, birthing stool, bed, standing, nothing really felt good. In between pushing, I would fall asleep for a min or two, regain my strength, and pushed again. I was laying down most of the time on my side pushing and screaming bloody murder (up until that point I was quiet as a mouse and noone believed I was 8 cm!!!) Then once the head finally came out (oh my goodness) I got on all fours and he came right out!!! Thank the LORD!!! =)  We are trying to nurse and having some difficulties, but that is to be expected, and I am NOT going to give up. OH LADIES....I AM SOOOOOO IN LOVE!!!!! I can't stop kissing him and staring at him. He has my almond eyes...and everything else is my husband's! LOL. He doesn't really look like my child....hehe. =)  He opens his eyes and is so alert now!  He is such a good baby so far! He is out like a light right now so time for MOMMY (hehe tha'ts me!!!!) to get some sleep! Thanks be to God for keeping us both safe and healthy. =) EEEEEEK!!   I can't believe I'm a mommy!! Can't wait to hear when you ladies have your little ones!!! =)

[BabyHardiman]

We are down to 4 days!!  Everyone keeps saying they do not think I'll make it that long.  I just want her to stay where she is at until Tuesday to give her lil lungs time to develope.

Gosh girl, you are a hardcore mommy!  =)  You love the purest way possible.  No drugs during labor, and now you are breastfeeding.  It is very rare to hear of mommies like you.  I would have tried to deliver without an epidural, but I don't have a choice.. =(  I WILL however be very determined to breastfeed her.  I want that bonding time with her.

I hope Ava looks like her dad too.  =)

[chantal21]

Aww thanks so much sweetie! I really appreciate it! It was a tough labor, but I am glad I experienced all of it. =) He is his father to a "t". Even to the hair color. lol. The only thing of mine he has are his almond shaped eyes! lol. He just got done nursing and is doing so much better with it. Still struggling to get latched but when he does....he's good to go! =) Awww...just 6 more days for you!! I am so excited for you. I hope it all goes well, and you gotta post pics as soon as you are up to it!!
I really am thankful to God for helping me through it all! Can't wait to hear of more april births!! =)
Take care and get some rest before that little one arrives! <3

[BabyHardiman]

Congrats!!  I am soo happy to hear that everything went so great for you.  I want to applaud you for NOT going to the hospital and taking the epidural.  You are a brave mommy, and I can tell how extremely devoted you will be to the health and happiness of your blessing of a son.  He is GORGEOUS by the way!!  Wow, and pushing for an hour and 20 minutes had to be painful for you.  I can't get over your devotion of not getting the epidural.. it soo uncommon these days!  I would give anything to be able to have that experience of natural birth.  For me natural is out of the question.  I am scheduled for my c on 4/22, in just 6 short days I'll be holding my sweet angel.

Congrats again Chantal... you are an amazing woman!!  I can't wait to watch your lil man grow in pictures.  Huggs and Kisses to both of you!!