Well, since it's raining outside, and I don't feel like "getting out", I thought this would be a perfect day to tell you how my life changed on April 4, 2003. As pretty much all of you know, Brian was deployed to Iraq when I was 32 weeks pregnant. I knew our little guy was going to make his appearance without his Daddy around, but we did what we could to prepare. We picked out a name, Grandma Kim made his "bedding". Of course we wanted tools, well, because that is Daddy's hobby. We saved the diaper holder, the curtains, the sheets, the bumper, etc. In fact, Christopher still uses his blanket. Anyways, back to the real reason I'm writing.
Brian and I found out I was pregnant when we were in Sacramento for Ben's baptism. Of course, we told his sister and Scott, but didn't tell anyone else. Kyleigh, Brian and I went back home to Oceanside and everything was a blur. I told my Aunt Debbie in August when there was a small emergency at her house. Probably not the best way to tell somebody, but hey...you gotta do what you gotta do. In September, we met my Dad, brother, sister-in-law and niece at Disneyland for the day. On our way we stopped and had a shirt made for Kyleigh that said, "Kyleigh's gonna be a big sister". Nothing like almost giving my Dad a heart attack at Disneyland. Anyways, pretty uneventful pregnancy, until the day before he made his entrance.
Luckily, I have the most amazing friends. With Brian half a world away, there were a few of my friends on stand-by. Some to take Kyleigh, one to be my coach, one to videotape (yes, we did in fact videotape. ONLY because Brian was gone.) Anyways, my sister-in-law, her two boys and Brian's Mom were there to help. It was quite stressful because we were in such a small house and I was already emotional because Brian wasn't there. We did A LOT of walking, trying to get my labor going. I was hoping I would go "early" since Ky was two weeks early, but no such luck. Anyways, the day before he made his grand entrance, I remember being at Best Buy with my little lady and there was a big yellow circle. And, Ky, being the active 3 year old she was, decided she wanted to use that has a track. She ran around and around and around. I don't know why that bothered me so much, but I remember bursting into tears in the middle of Best Buy and calling my girlfriend Joy (Coffin) to see if Ky can come over there and spend the night. I just couldn't handle it. I took her over there, went home and took a nap. I woke up to Amy, my sister in law, cooking dinner. I still remember what it was...chicken parmigiana. It was so good! Anyways, after I ate, I went back to bed and I woke up at about 5:00am and went to use the bathroom, I yell for Amy (who was asleep on the couch) and she came in and told me I needed to go to the hospital. I decided I needed to shower first. She was going to wake up Cathy so she could drive me to the hospital. We left at about 5:30am and at this point I think I was pretty much in labor.
It seemed like a long drive to the hospital. I think I felt every.single.bump. in the road. We managed to make it into the ER after having to stop a few times in the parking lot to breather through my contractions. We got in there and I told the Nurse to PLEASE not send me home. She said she had to check me and then she would tell me, but if she had to guess, I'd be having a baby today. Well, she checked me and I was at a 5!!! YEE-HAW!!!! Let's get this show on the road!!!!
Got to my room at about 6:30 and remember being asked a million and one questions...and, it seemed like they were asked over and over and over again. Well, at 6:45 my water broke! Boy, talk about needing to push. Well, the nurse kept telling me that I couldn't push. Finally...after a good 10 minute debate...or more like me telling her I had to push, I asked her why I couldn't push. Her comment, "It's too much paperwork if I have to deliver this baby." HA! Talk about a shock. I looked at my coach and told her I was getting ready to push. I looked at Brian's mom and asked her if she could deliver the baby and there we went. We all got "into position" and I started pushing. The doctor came in, we had a quick talk about what was going on and she put one glove on and draped her scrubs over her with only one arm in and Christopher made his entrance. I started pushing at 7:00 ish and Christopher was born at 7:02. I didn't even make it through 2 sets of 10 (those of you who have had a baby know what I mean). Well, he made his appearance at 9lbs. 4oz.
I love you, Buddy!
P.S.
I will NEVER forget the wonderful 7 weeks that my Grandma was able to come in and spend with my small family while waiting for Brian to come home from Iraq. I will be forever grateful for all of those memories and the nickname she gave to my little guy that has stuck to this day. My Grandma was there when Brian came home from Iraq and was able to witness Brian looking at his son and holding him for the first time. Love you, Grams!
.JPG)
