Parker's Story

March 18, 2012-  It was a normal Sunday or so we wanted to treat it that way knowing it would be our very last day as a family of three. Bryson, Violet and I headed to church with lots of questions from friends "what are you doing here?!" We could only answer, well we didn't want to just sit at home! The rest of the afternoon we lounged around the house and continued to prepared our hospital bags. I think I went over my bag about 100 times.  I felt more prepared with what I would need this time. We then went to dinner with my parents, bryson's parents, and our niece Ashtyn.  I knew I wouldn't be able to eat a hearty meal for about a week.  With a scheduled c-section you have to fast (no food or drink) before the surgery. So knowing this would be my "last meal" I wanted something good.  A Jerry Built Burgers  had just opened down the street so we decided to eat there. Its a really cool restaurant with a cool hand washer station, computerized soda machine and very kid friendly.  I enjoyed a cheeseburger, sweet potato fries and a BlueBell homemade Vanilla milk shake.  I was quite satisfied.  We hung out there for awhile and headed back home. Violet and Ashtyn played while I was trying to not think about the big day tomorrow. Eventually everyone left and Bryson and I had a sweet time putting Violet to sleep.  I was a little emotional thinking that I wouldn't have just us time anymore, but excited to welcome another child into our lives.



Looking Rough, but to my excuse it was 5am and I'm 39 weeks pregnant!
Ready to meet Baby Boy!

March 19, 2012-  My alarm went off at 4:30am.  Today was the day we were going to meet Parker!  Surprisingly I slept pretty well...as good as you can 39 weeks pregnant! I felt really calm and prepared for the day. I showered and straightened my hair. I know I know, Bryson asked why I was straightening it too. I just felt better having it straight and felt like it would be easier to manage straight than curly.  I was feeling pretty thirsty but couldn't even drink water due to fasting. My parents came over at 5:15am, my mom stayed here while Violet slept and my Dad took Bryson and I to St. Luke's.  We headed to Labor and Delivery for our 6am check-in time. I changed into a robe, had my vitals checked, was hooked up to a monitor and signed a ton of papers.

Almost time!

The monitor detected quite a bit of contractions I was having, but I didn't feel any of them! Nurse Audrey started my IV and was very chatty the entire morning! She was really sweet and I appreciated the talking.  The IV started to hydrate me and I had to pee like 3 times in an hour.  They didn't have a IV hook in the bathroom, so my sweet husband held it for me. Thanks B! haha! It was almost time to head to the operation room. We had met with the anesthesiologist, Dr. Parker (cool huh!?) and were being prepped as to what to happen next. All similar to what we did with Violet. Nurse Audrey had me drink a salty orange solution to help prevent if I threw up it would not burn my throat. Bryson changed into his hospital outfit, we had one last hug and kiss and Audrey walked me to the OR.  Walking in I started to get nervous. It was really cold and the shock of the sterile, not pretty at all room got my nerves ticking.  Dr. Parker and his assistant, Carey, were the only people in there. Carey was so nice and made me feel calm. He was talking about his daughter and I kept talking to try to not be nervous. They helped me up on the table, I just stared straight ahead, and they started my spinal block.  It felt like a sting in my back followed by a warm tingle sensation. Immediately I felt my butt and upper thighs start to "fall asleep". It is the strangest feeling. Then it moved down to my legs and pretty soon I couldn't feel anything.  Pretty cool!

They changed me to operating table and kept chatting with me. Nurse Audrey came in and started to get things ready for the surgery.  Everyone was talking and I started feeling nervous and nauseous, not a good combo. Dr. Parker started to help with adjusting the medicine, but I was said "I'm going to throw up!" Carey was there with a little bowl and I threw up the salty orange solution.  I actually felt better! My OBGY, Dr. Boswell and assisting her Dr. Bobo came in and started to get ready. And the Baby nurse came in also.  I was back to feeling calm and excited.  They got right to work and Bryson came in and sat next to me, holding me hand.  We were just talking and Dr. Boswell was narrating as she went a long. I felt the normal tugging and some movement on my tummy but couldn't feel anything.  Soon enough she said "okay here we go!" and Bryson stood up and watched her pull out Parker!! She held him up right away over the drape! He was screaming his head off!! And I just smiled!  The baby nurse stayed in the room and cleaned and checked Parker right away (we were never apart!) Parker Maxwell: 8.5lbs and 20 3/4 inches long! Bryson carried the bundled screaming baby over to me and placed him on my chest. I said "hi baby" and immediately he stopped crying. It was the sweetest thing! He just looked and looked at me. 

Welcome Parker!

Parker just stayed on my chest as Dr. Boswell finished the surgery.  She noticed a cyst on my ovary and said we would check on it at my next appointment in a few weeks.  It was acutally really quiet and calm in the operation room.  Bryson and I looked at Parker and talked with Carey.  After Dr. Boswell was done I was moved to the recovery room and was able to start the first feeding with Parker.  He didnt latch on but we decided to try again later.  Bryson brought in our first little visitor, Big Sister Violet.  I think she was scared of me because I was all hooked up to an IV and holding a little baby. But it was still sweet for just the 4 of us to be together and for her to be the first one to meet Parker. Eventually my parents and Bryson's came into recovery to meet Parker.

After two hours in recovery they moved me up the 25th floor to my post-pardom room. I got a little sick after riding the elevator, but after drinking some water I felt a lot better.  My face was feeling really itchy and I was sweating off and on (the side effects to the medicine in the spinal) We were visited that night by Kim and Kimmy, The Espi's, my parents with Violet and Bryson's family.  We really had a 4 night stay in the hospital.  The next day the Eachos and Lindsey visited. That was really the extent of non-family visitors. With Violet we had a ton a visitors and realized this time we only wanted a few. Our 3 night stay at the hosptial was really low key and relaxing. Lots of cuddling with Parker, naps and re-learning the art of breast-feeding. Bryson was so helpful since I was unable to get up and down right away.  I stayed on top of taking my pain meds and recovered smoothly.  The most eventful event of the hopstial stay was my 28 staples.  All the nurses had never seen so many staples on a c-section! I felt proud :)  We were so ready on the 4th day to checkout and begin life at home as a family of 4.