Thursday, December 26, 2013

Motherhood

Motherhood. What a loaded term. There are seriously so many words to describe this profession I do not even know where to start.  Being a Mother is something no single person can truly prepare you for.  Not even your own mother! I was really banking on this! ;)
But in all honesty, being a mother has been the most loving, exhilarating, tiring, and addictive experience.  Though it's not something anyone can prepare you for, it's also the most natural job in the world.  I never knew I could love someone so much.  

My birth story:
So it all began on October 28th, Jonathan and I were due for a doctor's appointment.  After already being way past my due date, we knew it would literally be any minute.  I really thought I would have gone into labor 2 weeks early (or maybe it was just wishful thinking) and believe me, we pulled out all the tricks.  There is nothing I didn't try, except castor oil.  I was even on the back of a 4-wheeler the weekend I was due trying to speed things up! 



Back to the map... I began having contractions literally as soon as we pulled up to the doctor's office.  Painful, uncomfortable contractions.  It was the first time I had really, really felt this type of pain so I knew exactly what it was.  After visiting with the doctor and doing a quick ultrasound, we learned I was carrying an almost 9 pound baby. Whoa mama.  She strongly encouraged us to go into the hospital that night, for she didn't know if I could handle a natural delivery with me carrying such a large baby. 
Well, we went in at midnight (October 29th)  contractions were in full swing by 8:00 am.  Like the unbearable, I can't do anything but cry, kind of contractions.  So, bring on the drugs!! My epidural was painless and once that kicked in, I was golden.  I had many visitors in and out of my room.  Mainly family and close friends.  But I was so exhausted and STARVING that I just wanted to sleep.



No complications to speak of, except for one episode in which I will spare the details, and our beautiful baby boy was born at 5:48 pm. What an experience!!!  I was so terrified of the entire delivery process, that I wasn't sure how I was going make it. Through much prayer, and my support group (Jonathan and my Mom were in the delivery room with me) I made it.  And it was perfect.  Maurice "Auri" Joseph Walsh was 8 lbs, 11 oz and 21.5 inches long with head full of black hair!! None of these characteristics were surprising, but all too real once he finally entered our world. To date, delivering my son has been the most accomplished and proud I have ever felt in my life! An exhilarating feeling I will never, ever forget. 

After Jonathan and I spent an hour with our son alone, Jonathan then took him to introduce Auri to his fan club.  This was a special moment for him. Although I didn't get to witness it, Jonathan was so proud to be his daddy. With tears streaming down his face, his world completely changed.



There were so many emotions to follow after he was born, but first... what does a girl have to do to get some food!? 
Jonathan's dad came through for me with my very own Johnny's Pizza.  It was exactly what I wanted and boy was it the most delicious pizza I had ever tasted! 

The hospital stay was fantastic! No complaints here, St. Francis Medical Center comes highly recommended by the Walsh's!  I was literally sad to leave.  Mainly because I wasn't sure how I was going to function without my super sweet nurses waking me up at night telling me Auri was hungry.  But 48 hours later, we were definitely ready to get home. 

With much anticipation, fear, and excitement we made the drive home on Halloween night.  Auri is dressed to impress in his Batman costume.  Isn't he just the cutest thing you ever see?!




Driving away from the hospital, I lost it.  People tell you about postpartum emotions, but wow... I was a blubbering basket-case.  Sitting in the backseat with our son, my husband driving us home, my family is on the way to our little house.  It seemed so surreal.  A quick phone call from my sister, and I was laughing hysterically, so my tears of feeling overwhelmed turned into laughing tears.  


The first night home was a bit of a challenge, but we survived! Every night after that has gotten a little bit easier.  I wouldn't say I have the hang of it, but I am certainly close.  We have a schedule that seems to be working for us... you may have heard it: Eat, Sleep, Poop.  That is literally what he does. All day long.  The past couple days, Auri has been way more alert and staying awake more.  I have finally gotten in the routine of him eating in 3-hour increments.  What is most challenging, is figuring out what to do in between those increments.  I am usually faced with either cleaning, exercising or sleeping.  And I typically opt for the later.   

I can't seem to stop staring at my baby boy.  I could literally just look at him all day. We think he's pretty cute.  At 8 weeks old, he has begun to develop a personality that is precious.  He grins so much!  What a happy baby! 
There are times that I am so overcome with happiness that I could just cry.  My heart is literally so full of love for this little boy!  
Let's talk about Super Dad real quick.  My husband is AMAZING and what an INCREDIBLE Dad!!! Wow, I knew he would be great, but I didn't know he would be this great!! I don't know how I would make it without him.  He actually probably gets less sleep than I do.  But most of all, I adore watching him interact with our son.  It is heart-touching the way he is so in love with this little guy.
As a family, we are SO in love!!! 



This post is far overdue... Christmas festivities are to follow in the next few days!