Worth the Wait

Benjamin David Sullivan joined our family on February 20, 2012. 

The sordid details, but not too sordid:

I'll keep it simple.  He wasn't in any hurry to come.  Despite primrose oil, acupressure, and walking all over the world, he still needed help.  On Monday morning we called into the hospital to go ahead and get things started with a doctor's help.  We had hoped that breaking my water would kick start things, but when has anything ever been that simple? 

Two hours after the breaking occured, still no satisfactory progress.  So the dreaded pitocin was to be had.  We started out slow and turned it up every hour as progress was still slow going.  Fortunately I had the company of some great friends.  Friends like "The Emporer's New Groove", "The Great Race", and "Pride and Prejudice".  David also brought some James Bond movies but that was really the last thing I wanted to see. Something about bringing life into the world to the sounds of explosions and gunshots... meh.

Moving on.  Part of our goal with this was to go natural.  Didn't really want an epidural and had studied up on techniques to help through the contractions and pain.  Our nurses knew this as well as the doctor and were happy-ish to help out.  Some more than others.  But all in all our wishes were respected.  So.  The pit drip.  It kinda of... intensified everything.  About 3 the contraction pain took it a step up.  Got a little rough.  About 4:30 I kind of wanted to die.... just a little.  The nurses reassured me that they have a 100% success rate when dealing with birth.  I would live.  So on we went.  Onward, ever onward.  At 5 I was crying with the pain and I was only dilated to a 5.  I asked how much longer they thought it would be, they said probably 2-3 hours.  Then I not only thought I would die, I wanted to.  "Give me the epidural" I said.  Paper signed, the specialist was sent for.  20 minutes later I was hunched over for them to do the deed.  He missed, got a blood vessel instead of the right spot.  Two contractions later I wanted to push more than anything in my life.  They checked me again and I was fully dilated.  No epidural for me!  This was 5:30 by the way. So doctor was sent for, I had someone on both legs and the pushing began.

At 6:55 Benjamin came into the world and mine became complete.  I cannot get over how much I love this little guy.  In fact as I type right now I struggle not to cry a little.  He is just so very precious and I just can't get over what a miracle he is for us.  We weren't sure this day was ever going to happen, and here we are.

So there's the story.  More picture than you ever want to look at will surely turn up on the blog.  Our lives have completely changed and I couldn't be more ready for it. 

Thank you to friends, family, neighbors, ward members, co-workers... everyone really.  Thank you for the support.  Thank you for the love.  Thank you for the cheering on.