The Story of Our Boy

I have sat down to write this post SO many times...I just never could quite get my emotions together enough to document the day our son was born. It makes me emotional even now to think about it.

 

but...

 

I want to share our story.

Settle in, this is gonna be LONG!

 

 

On October 1st, I had a Doctor's appointment. (If you've followed along from the beginning, you know that we had already scheduled my induction for October 3rd due to my high blood pressure and a couple of other issues the week prior.). The night before my appointment *something* happened to let me know that Cooper Joseph was getting ready to make his appearance (Mommas you KNOW what I'm talking about). 

 

I had my ultrasound and headed over to see Dr. G. My BP looked ok, but my amniotic fluid level had dropped and she didn't like how low it was getting. That coupled with what had happened the night before, was enough for her to go ahead and bump my induction up by one day. Meaning WE would be meeting Cooper THE NEXT DAY. As in the 2nd! As in all of the planning and preparing and dreaming would be through and we would get to see him and touch him and smell him in person, for real. We were shocked, excited and a million other emotions. If I had not been so BIG pregnant, I would have skipped out of her office and over to Labor and Delivery.

Then it hit me, I didn't even have my bag or Ben's bag or anything. Cooper's coming home outfit was at home still in the garment bag. I panicked. Ben reminded me, we did have a car and he could drive home and get it. Whew! Crisis averted. Ha! My pregnant mind...

 

We left and walked over to L&D. Ben got me all settled in and then left to go get our bags. He asked what I wanted for my "last meal". Of course I chose MILO's! A #2 with no onions, extra sauce and a large sweet tea (AND maybe an apple pie, but I'm not telling) to be exact. My favorite! Ben got back with our things and we ate and settled in for the night. I couldn't sleep. I was SO excited, scared, nervous and uncomfortable because of the fetal monitors and a million other things. I remember tearing up thinking that I would be SO exhausted the next day if I didn't sleep and I knew I would need my strength for pushing (or so I thought). My sweet nurse patted my hand and said, TRUST ME Honey, you'll sleep as soon as you get your epidural. It eased my mind and I finally closed my eyes.

 

I set my alarm for 5:00 because I knew they were going to start my Pitocin at 7:00 and I had to shave my legs, wash and flat iron my hair, pluck my eyebrows and do my makeup. Ha! Hey, I was meeting THE most important person I would ever meet in my entire life and I wanted him to think his Mommy was pretty. After all, we had been waiting 9 months to meet each other!

 

My sweet nurse got me all prepped and started my IV (ouch!) and we waited on Dr. F to come in and get the party started. She came in and checked me, started my Pitocin and talked to me. She is so wonderful and relaxed and soothing and made me feel so comfortable and at ease. She left and said she would be back to check on me.

 

Then our parents arrived. I was SO happy to see them. ESPECIALLY my Momma. Oh my goodness was I happy to see her. They were just beside themselves with excitement. We all were!

I was told at one point there were over 25 people in the waiting area. Waiting for OUR BOY. I can't even begin to say how much it means to me that that many people love us that much. To come spend the day waiting for our boy! There aren't enought words.

 

Then I started FEELING the labor pains. A little at first, then more, then MORE. The nurse checked me and I was at a 4, so she said she would talk to Dr. F and they would notify the anesthesiologist that I was ready for my epidural. I was so nervous about the epidural. I have no idea why because it was a cinch. Seriously, I didn't even know he was done until he walked around in front of me and helped me lie back. Ha! He was the bomb. I felt so much better and finally got some sleep. I slept for a while and then Dr. F came in to check me. I had not progressed. AT ALL! So she said she would give me another hour and then we would have to discuss plan B. When she came back I still hadn't progressed much and Cooper's heart rate would drop when I would have a contraction, so she wanted to go ahead and do a section. Like, NOW!

Everyone rushed into the room and started prepping me and Ben for what was about to happen. It felt like the room exploded. People rushing around and I had oxygen on and it was just so exciting and so scary at the same time. Ben kept rubbing my hand and telling me it was all going to be ok. I know he was scared to death, but he sure didn't show it.

They took me to the operating room and I remember feeling so calm. A little nauseated, but very calm. Praying over and over and over and over, "Lord, please let my baby be ok and safe. Take me, but please let my baby be ok and safe. Amen".

I was SO READY to meet my sweet Cooper Joseph Counts. I remember a sweet nurse asking me about my eyeshadow. Ha! We had a nice chat about our favorite makeup while they got me ready to get started. she was up by my head doing some things and it was distracting me from what was actually going on, which was wonderful!

When Ben was finally brought in, the tears came. I couldn't contain it. I was so happy to see him. I was SO happy he was my Husband and the father of our miracle. I looked at him and he looked at me and we knew our lives were about to change forever and ever in the best way possible.

Then, at exactly 1:57pm on October 2nd, they pulled My Sweet Cooper Joseph out and held him above that blue sheet under those big lights and I SAW that face and it was all over. He was so perfect. So, I said it out loud while sobbing, "HE IS PERFECT!". Both Dr. S and Dr. F said in unison "He IS perfect." They both looked over that sheet at me right in my eyes and said "He is perfect. You did great Mommy".

When I saw his face, I thought, of course that's you, Cooper Joseph Counts. That's who I carried and grew inside of me. Of course that is your nose and those are your eyes and your beautiful lips. Of course you don't have much hair. Of course! It was like meeting someone I had already known my entire life.

It was the face I had seen in my dreams so many times. But better. If that's even possible...and the sound of that strong, loud cry. Music!



I thanked my God right then and there for giving me the best gift I have ever received. I looked at Ben holding OUR baby and I felt so complete.

Our little family of 3.
It is all I need and all I've ever wanted.

Ever.


*Lots of other things happened after Ben took Cooper back to our room. I lost a lot of blood and was VERY sick, BUT I don't want to go into all of that because it doesn't even matter now. My boy is here and we are all healthy and happy.

My Doctors were Rockstars is all I have to say!