Nolan Taylor Morrison: The Beginning.

We arrived at the hospital at 8am for a routine baby stress test and amniotic fluid check because it was his due date. They strapped fetal monitors around my belly for about 30 minutes to see how his heart beat was doing over a period of time. The nurse noticed that I was having small contractions about every 10 minutes. I had no idea, I thought I was just crampy. She said that this could go on for days and that Jason should have no problem getting to his job in Virginia that day.

By the end of the test though we noticed his heart rate dropping a lot during contractions, I could tell that the nurse was concerned but was trying to not show it. She took us in to the ultrasound machine to check how much fluid was around the baby. At that point she told Jason that he was in fact not going to work that day, and that we will have the baby TODAY! The baby had no fluid around him.

We had about 5 minutes to call family. Jason's parents hopped onto a plane to come meet their grandson.
They took me to a Labor and Delivery room to monitor his heart in order to determine if we needed a c-section or not. Jason left to pick up our things at home, and all I could do is stare at that clock and try not to freak out. When Jason returned, the nurses explained that I was not a good candidate for induction and that my safest route was to have a c-section and avoid labor. Labor would not be safe for the baby. After we gave the go ahead for C-Section, we had about 30 minutes to wait for the doctors to be ready, the longest 30 minutes of our lives! They got Jason into some scrubs and I was rolled off to the OR.

The Epidural was an experience. It I was sweating profusely as he prepped me for anesthesia, I almost crushed my nurses hands. My legs began to tingle, and they laid me on my back. The nurse struggled to find the baby's heart beat so they began work right away. It is beyond bizarre how you can feel everything that the doctors are doing, yet it does not hurt.

Because they had to rush into it, the nurse brought Jason is after they already began surgery! They brought him behind the curtain to comfort me and I just looked at him and said "well, this is really bizarre." He had a terrified look on his face, and I was completely calm. I felt them pushing the baby out of me and they rushed him over to the baby nurse. He needed help to breathe. Jason and I patiently sat there for what felt like 10 whole minutes trying not to freak out as they crowded around Nolan trying to get him to breathe. Finally he let out a little cry and all was well. Jason went over to see him as they stapled me back up.

Nolan Taylor Morrison was born at 2:04om and weighted only 4lbs. 14.6 oz. The nurse said he would have been an even 5lbs if he had not peed on her when he woke up.

They brought him into the recovery room to hang out with me as I waited to be able to move my toes. That is a very strange feeling.

Tiny feet.

My sister and my mom and her husband Dave were the first to meet Nolan (my sister is above, don't have mom photo yet)

Coryn came after school, I think it was love at first sight! Jason's parents arrived from Florida at around 7pm to meet their newest little man.

I spent 4 days hanging in the hospital, watching him sleep and playing with his feet.

I am fairly certain that there must be a degree program in proper car seat usage. He slept the whole time from strapping him in at the hospital to meeting Bella at home.

This is Nolan and Bella's first meeting. She is a bit confused by the addition of this little person and has followed us around the house since we have been home. She desperately wants to kiss him, but I am trying to keep her at bay. I am sure that when I wasn't looking, Jason let her have a lick. They will be great friends, I am sure.

This is our first morning home. He is patiently napping in his sling as a write this post.

Thanks to my mom and sister for being such a big help this week, and to Alison for whipping up some gourmet meals! Thanks to Donna and Randy for rushing to see us and taking care of my Bella, my Coryn, and my house while I was away! (Thanks, too, for making a wonderful son) Thanks to Coryn for being my diaper changing helper and for being so loving and accepting of your new brother. Thanks to all my visitors for keeping me from going crazy in that little room. (The magazines were a life saver, Jo) Thanks to everyone who sent us flowers; mom, Tye and Emily, Erin Chris and Coryn; Linda and John!! They made my room look and smell lovely. Thanks to Meg who walked (and washed) the dog. Thanks to my nurses who convinced me that I should, in fact, take the pain killers that they offered. Thanks Dr. Prevas for slicing me open.

Finally, thanks to Jason for taking such good care of me, for being a great fatherconvincing me that I might make a good mom. We will know in about 18-30 years, I guess. If I left anyone out, blame the nurses for the previously mentioned pain killers.

OH, Thanks Jessah for taking his first potraits!

Off to feed!