Thursday, September 23rd, I chose to spend yet another evening on the couch.
This time I spent most of the time texting my advice giver and sister, Dana. :)
After she said she had to get to bed, I thought I would try and go to bed myself.
An hour of sleep later, I awoke to a very painful contraction.
I grabbed my pillow and made my way to the couch again.
After a couple of hours of semi consistant contractions, they were finally getting to be 8 minutes apart. I didn't want to startle Richard out of bed, so I chose to text message his work phone.
"I think I'm timing them at 8 min apart for the last 5 or more...they hurt :( "
He came out of the room, half asleep, and asked if I was really sure.
The fact that this time the only tidying up I could do was make our bed before we left... had me thinking yes this is it.
We left the house at about 3 AM and I told Richard he better get some breakfast. He tried to convince me he can grab vending machine food at the hospital, but I convinced him it was going to be a LONG day and pointed out the Whataburger along the way.
The only thing we failed to not think about, was the fact that it was about 3:30 AM and a Thursday night. We were then entertained by a truck full of ladies all dolled up, yelling their order multiple times out the window.
Wow.
The contractions were getting to be 5-3 minutes apart as we waited in the drive through line, entertained by these ladies.
When we finally got to the hospital, we found a great parking spot... only to find out those doors we parked so close to were closed for the night. We walked around the side of hospital to get admitted through the E.R. A proctor came down and escorted me in a wheel chair, down the long halls, across the hospital to Labor and Delivery. Richard at one point, trying so hard to be the helpful husband, took control of the wheel chair and I nearly ended up running into a wall.
The nurse took back over and Richard just held the doors along the way :)
At about 4:00 AM we were checked into Triage and discovered that I was 4 cm. dialated!
This was it! We waited on our room and at about 6:30 AM I received my epidural.
Now it was time for the waiting game. Those who came to wait with us were Mama, Daddy and Dana. Soon to be followed by Richard's Mom and Dad, Justin Manning and Eric Rhine.
(and then little did I know my sister Holly from Oklahoma was on her way too!! :) )
As the late afternoon, was approaching so were some uncomfortable contractions. They increased my epidural and by 2:45 in the afternoon it was pushing time!
On September 24, 2010, at 3:26 PM, Jack Anthony Pagel entered this world.
Best. Birthday. Ever.
I love you little man!
Well the room is ready!
