And then there was 4...

Welcome Sean Carson McDonald!

July 16th 2010

7lbs. 3.5oz 22inches

It was quite a surprise for me to have Sean that day. I went to Bethesda for a routine post-date fetal stress test. The test showed that Sean was very happy and cozy inside of me. I did not have one single contraction during the test. So I figured that there was no way that I would go into labor anytime soon. Before I left the hospital I decided to stop by the L & D Department to see how far dilated I was. To my surprise and the doctors I was already 4 cm. They didn't want me to go back to Annapolis. So they sent me off walking for 2 hours. So I went to a local mall. Grabbed some lunch and walked. I did not feel a thing the whole time I was walking. So when I went back to get checked again, I was totally expecting there to be no change in dilation. Well surprise, surprise I was 6cm. They decided to admit me right then and there.

My mom had offered to go with me to my fetal stress test appointment just in case they ended up admitting me. I reassured her that they were not. That I was not having any contractions and that I would only be gone for about 2 hours. So here I am all by myself at the hospital it is 240pm on a Friday. And of course I forgot my cell phone in my car. The doctors were not going to let me go to my car, but the nurse convinced them that it would be okay and that she would go with me. I got my phone, called my mom and she made it to the Bethesda by 4pm!

I finally started feeling contractions around 415pm. They were about 2-3 minutes apart and not too painful. The doctors wanted to break my water, but I asked for an epidural before they did that. I heard too many stories of how painful labor got once the water broke. In retrospect, I probably did not need the epidural. But with Andrew not being there with me I didn't want labor to be anymore stressful than it needed to be. Once I got my epidural I think the doctors forgot about me. It wasn't until about 815 pm that they came back in the break my water. But it was okay because I was having a good time talking with me mom and nurse. Around 9pm I told the nurse that she might want to go get the doctors b/c I think I feel the baby and he wants to come out. So she runs and gets one of the doctors. The doctor checks me and says, "Wow, there is the baby... he is ready to come into the world". I think they broke the bed down in about .5 seconds. About 20 pushes later Sean Carson McDonald was born.

It was an absolutely beautiful moment that I wish I was able to share with Andrew. It wasn't until after Sean was born that I really felt a piece of the puzzle was missing. I absolutely LOVED having my mom there and all the support she was giving me through labor, but my heart ached to be with Andrew. I was able to call the duty number where Andrew was at about 10 minutes after Sean was born. They told me to call back in about an hour when Andrew would be in the office. 20 minutes later my cellphone rang and it was Andrew. We were able to talk for quite awhile. It was a bittersweet conversation. I was so happy that we were able to talk, but deeply wished that Andrew was right by my side holding Sean.

Elizabeth came to visit us in the hospital on Saturday morning. She was very curious on this new little person. Anytime Sean would make a peep should would get a look of concern. She is absolutely a wonderful big sister. Anytime she sees Sean she wants to give him a big kiss. It is absolutely precious. She is so sweet with him. I can already see what a caring disposition Elizabeth has.
Learning to juggle life with an almost 1 yr. old and a newborn has been interesting. Again, I am SO blessed to be able to be with family. My mom has been a huge help. It has made the transition a little easier. We are anxiously awaiting Andrew's return from deployment. I know he can't wait to meet Sean, but also see how much Elizabeth has changed over the past 6 months!