Okay, so it's been a very long time since I have been able to post anything to the blog. I will try to recap the last few months in one post to get everyone up to date on all the happenings in the Walton family.
As all of you may already know, the biggest and most exciting event that has happened, was the birth of Lilian James Boado Walton. She was born on October 24 at 7:17 am and was 6 lbs, 8 oz and 19 inches long. Here is the semi-short version of our birth story:
My water broke at 7 am Saturday morning and contractions started a few hours later around 10 am. The contractions became progressively stronger and closer together throughout the day and night. We ended up going to the birth center around 3 am on Sunday but was sent home again because I was only 1-2 centimeters dilated (which we found out later was completely wrong). The midwife said I would have a long day ahead of me and wanted me to get my rest so sent us home with a prescription of Ambien. Ian dropped me off at home while he and my dad went to get the prescription filled.
While at home, I was in so much pain I felt like I was dying a very slow death. Each contraction felt like I was being stabbed with a knife over and over again in the stomach. But not just any knife - an old, dull, rusty knife that was being twisted after every stab. I had lost hope that I would be able to have a natural birth with no drugs and had made up my mind that once Ian came home I would have him take me to the hospital.
It took Ian almost 2 hours to get back home because it was nearly impossible to find a pharmacy open at 3 am. Once he got home I told him I couldn't take the pain anymore but he insisted I try taking the Ambien before I decided to go to the hospital. I was in so much pain that the Ambien didn't have any affect on me and I actually started to push because it was the only thing that made the contractions feel better. I told Ian to call the birth center and once the midwife heard I was starting to push, she had us immediately come in. We got to the birth center around 6 am and I was 8 cm dialated. They quickly got me in the birthing room and soaking in the tub. I pushed for 45 minutes and Lilian was born.
Remember the Ambien I took? Well, it kicked in right after Lilian was born. I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to sleep. This gave Ian some good quality bonding time with the baby.
As all of you may already know, the biggest and most exciting event that has happened, was the birth of Lilian James Boado Walton. She was born on October 24 at 7:17 am and was 6 lbs, 8 oz and 19 inches long. Here is the semi-short version of our birth story:
My water broke at 7 am Saturday morning and contractions started a few hours later around 10 am. The contractions became progressively stronger and closer together throughout the day and night. We ended up going to the birth center around 3 am on Sunday but was sent home again because I was only 1-2 centimeters dilated (which we found out later was completely wrong). The midwife said I would have a long day ahead of me and wanted me to get my rest so sent us home with a prescription of Ambien. Ian dropped me off at home while he and my dad went to get the prescription filled.
While at home, I was in so much pain I felt like I was dying a very slow death. Each contraction felt like I was being stabbed with a knife over and over again in the stomach. But not just any knife - an old, dull, rusty knife that was being twisted after every stab. I had lost hope that I would be able to have a natural birth with no drugs and had made up my mind that once Ian came home I would have him take me to the hospital.
It took Ian almost 2 hours to get back home because it was nearly impossible to find a pharmacy open at 3 am. Once he got home I told him I couldn't take the pain anymore but he insisted I try taking the Ambien before I decided to go to the hospital. I was in so much pain that the Ambien didn't have any affect on me and I actually started to push because it was the only thing that made the contractions feel better. I told Ian to call the birth center and once the midwife heard I was starting to push, she had us immediately come in. We got to the birth center around 6 am and I was 8 cm dialated. They quickly got me in the birthing room and soaking in the tub. I pushed for 45 minutes and Lilian was born.
Remember the Ambien I took? Well, it kicked in right after Lilian was born. I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to sleep. This gave Ian some good quality bonding time with the baby.
Ian and I were lucky in that we had a lot of help the first month of Lilian's life. My dad came out a week before she was born to help out with the dogs and stayed a total of 2 weeks. My mom came out the day she was born and stayed for 3 weeks and the day she left, Ian's mom came to help for a week. Because of them, Ian and I didn't really have to endure the fatigue and extreme tiredness that most new parents experience. Thank goodness for grandparents!
We took Lilian on her first road trip when she was 10 days old. Ian had to go back to Ohio for election night so my mom, Lilian and I packed up the car and followed him there. The usual 5 hours drive took us 9 hours there and 10 hours back. It was a long drive but it was good to be able to be there with Ian, even though the night didn't turn out the way everyone had hoped.
Since Ian's boss lost the election, Ian was able to spend a lot of time at home with Lily and I. It was nice being able to figure out this parenting thing together and to be able to give each other breaks when it was needed. I can't even imagine what it's going to be like when we both have to go back to work!
Here are some pictures during Lilian's first month, including her first bath and Halloween.
Here are some pictures during Lilian's first month, including her first bath and Halloween.
