We're Parents!

I was sent home from the hospital last time on bed rest... I began to notice that I had a crazy amount of discharge and it was really watery. Not wanting it to be my "bag o waters", I ignored it... for a week... until my mom told me to call the doctor on Labor day. I cried, then called. We went in, and sure enough... I had been leaking water since I was in the hospital last time and didn't know it. Fortunately, I had plenty o water left. Unfortunately, I was doomed to be in the hospital until I gave birth (at the time thinking it could be a month and a half). I got an IV- but didn't mind it so much this time without the "mag", and they sent me to my room.

Tuesday: I felt like I had period cramps all day- just a constant ache.

Wednesday: I woke up feeling fine. Ryan came by and did his homework. 11:00am Meanwhile, I began to feel these same cramps but in serges. (from what Summer told me- this meant I was having the baby today) Ryan continued to do his homework as I started to use hypnobirthing techniques to block out the dull pain. 1:00pm I had a couple of visitors come by and I would talk inbetween serges. After they left, I felt like my back hurt just as much as my abdomen so I had Ryan rub my lower back during serges and we continued this until transition. He was so wonderful and did everything I needed to stay focused on my hypnosis. Guess what?! It really works! I didn't feel like I was in a lot of pain until transition. 3:00pm A doctor came to check on my dilation: 3cm. They moved me to "labor and delivery". I immediately asked for a birthing ball and continued everything just the same. 7:00pm I had a couple of visitors who I would talk to inbetween serges. (somewhere inbetween 8:30 and 9:00) Nurse came in to try to adjust the monitor. (which hadn't been on the whole time because my movement on the ball and his movement prevented this). She went to get the doctor to help. I felt a huge pop and water ran everywhere. For me, this was when transition began... and ouch! They moved me to the bed so that they could monitor the baby. The doctor found out that I hadn't been checked since 3:00- so she checked me and I was 5cm dilated and almost effaced. Because I was not prepared for this stage of labor, I demanded that I get the epideral. It took so long to come... and I had 4 serges before the doctor came back that when she checked me again it was too late. I was 1+ (baby was coming)! 9:24pm Soon after, Dennis Ryan Funk was born. The most amazing experience ever! I kept saying, "I did it!"

He came out breathing so well! Everyone is impressed at his development at just 33 weeks gestation. He was 4 lbs 11 ounces and 17 inches long. This picture was taken a couple hours after birth.

DAY 1: thursday

He will impress the girls with his luscious lips!

He will stay here until he can maintain his own body temperature.

Eyes wide open!

Day 2: friday

He graduated to wearing a onsie! (one step closer to going home but a lot more steps to go) After his breakfast, he snuggled up for a nap. To prepare him for what comes next...

The "tanning bed".

Only cool dudes are allowed.

We are so blessed to have such a healthy boy. All of the nurses are impressed with his progress which makes his parents even more proud. We love him!