Baby time

It has been over two weeks since we had our baby. Little Stephen Dave Stewart. The past two weeks have been the best two weeks and also the most tiring two weeks of my life. It all started Tuesday may 8th at about 6 am. I had just made a trip to the bathroom and laid back down in bed when my water broke. I knew i didn't pee my pants because I had just gone to the bathroom. I immediately jumped out of bed and told Stephen my water broke. I hadn't had any contractions leading up to that point which made us think the baby was going to come late but he was actually 4 days early! I called the hospital from the bathroom and they told me to take a shower, eat breakfast, then come in.

We got to the hospital around 8 am and I was admitted at about 9. the midwife told me that if my labor didn't progress by noon she would give me a pill to help soften my cervix. Stephen and I were shown to our room, then we walked around the hospital, ate lunch, and around noon the midwife came back with a pill. She said she could give me another dose in four hours if my labor still hadn't progressed. Stephen and I walked around the hospital for another hour and then I suddenly started feeling painful contractions. They asked me to rate them from one to ten. I never know how to answer that question. So I don't even remember what I said. The midwife came back and said that she didn't want to see how dilated I was because it increases chances of infection. Since my contractions just started we decided to wait a little longer. Finally about an hour later I was in much more pain. The midwife decided to check me and I was dilated to a five.

The only thing I had in my birth plan was to get an epidural. I am so afraid of pain. Once I was at a five they started giving me Iv fluids so that i could get an epidural. They also called the anesthesiologist. They said the fluid takes 20 minutes to go in. Before the 20 minutes were up I felt like the baby was going to come. The midwife checked me and said I was at a ten and that I couldn't get an epidural. It felt like my worst nightmare. She said that I should start pushing. So I pushed and pushed and finally baby Stephen came. Hearing his little cry was a tender moment in my life. I looked up at Stephen who was encouraging me the whole time and he had tears in his eyes.

I was so happy our baby was finally here. After holding him for a little while one of the nurses took him to weigh and measure him. He was 8 lbs and 20.25 inches. A pretty big baby.

I was surprised that I had him naturally and I was very fortunate that my labor progressed so quickly. Baby Stephen is the sweetest little thing and we are so happy he is here.

Sewing

I have been off of work a week now. It has been so wonderful. I have spent my time getting the baby's room ready and also doing some sewing for the baby. I bought a book by lotta jansdotter called simply sewing for baby which has some fun baby projects. I'm not very good at sewing so I appreciate the simplicity of the designs. Here are some if the things I have made.

Pregnant belly

I haven't been very consistent at taking pictures of my baby belly. But here are a few shots.

Uc Berkeley

Berkeley has such a beautiful campus. Stephen's building is the tallest building on campus and it has an amazing view if the bay.

Sunday walks

Every Sunday Stephen and I try to go for a walk somewhere in the area. So far our favorite places are the Berkeley marina and San Francisco bay trail. Here are some pictures of our Sunday walks.

Crochet

While Stephen plays call of duty with his brothers at night, I have been crocheting things for the baby. So far I have made a blanket and a pillow.

I chose the colors for the blanket before we knew the gender of the baby. But I decided after we found out we are having a boy, that I want the nursery colors to be orange and aqua/ turquoise. The pillow I will use somewhere in the nursery.

iPhone

Usually for Christmas the only thing I ask for is clothing. But this year, since I am pregnant and don't fit into my regular clothing, I asked for an iPhone. Since I got the iPhone I have spent a ton of time downloading apps and different things. One app I downloaded called old booth. It is pretty entertaining. Here is a picture I took of Stephen.