From the Mouth of My Babe

Big Nate with Grandma Mary-Ann on his birthday. We can't wait for Grandma Maddie to be able to meet him when she comes to visit again in a couple of months. He's worth the wait, Grandma, we promise!

Davis declared to me several times yesterday, "Mom? Do you know what I wuv more dan pancakes, angwee burds, an awe of my toys?...MY FAMIWEEE!...even baby Nafan."

Pictures of Nathan

When Davis was born, my dear friend Chrissy came to the hospital and took photos of him when he was just a day old. They are some of my favorite pictures in all the world. When my dear friend Kami offered to do the same for Nathan, I was thrilled. Here are just a few of my favorites:

We couldn't stop laughing because all of the newborn props that she brought for him were way too small, like this hat...

And of course this little papoose thingy.

I think this one will go on our wall, it's one of my very favorites. 

Such a sweet baby boy! Thank you, Kami!

Nathan Michael's Birth Story

Watching The Today Show with mom this morning.

I've been mulling over in my head where to begin with our big guy's birth story, since I feel like I was in labor with him for the better part of a month, but here goes...
After my mom left last Saturday morning, I was convinced that Nathan was going to stay in my womb until at least the 4th of July, and I was miserable to say the least. While I was so so happy that my mom could spend the week with us and that Mary-Ann was on her way, I couldn't help but think about how I was getting all of my help before the baby and what on earth was I going to do after the baby arrived? When you live over 2,000 miles from family, you have to make educated guesses about things like these, and I had guessed wrong.
I went to my midwife appointment this past Monday morning, 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant. While I was slowly progressing (3cm dilated and 50% effaced), it was determined that I would be induced the next morning because, 1) I was almost a week overdue with my 4th child, and 2) my husband was scheduled to take mandatory board certification exams on Wednesday morning. If I were to go into labor on my own during his test, it would not be possible for him to be present at the birth. I was elated after the appointment, knowing that I had less than 24 hours left of this pregnancy. I wasn't thrilled at the thought of being induced, but I was even less thrilled about staying pregnant any longer and risking delivering a baby without Ryan.
We checked into the hospital around 8am Tuesday morning and my midwife met us in the labor and delivery room shortly thereafter. It had been my hope this pregnancy to do a natural childbirth. Even though I had 3 successful deliveries with an epidural, something in me wanted the experience of a natural childbirth. It's what my body was made to do, right? I had tried to read up on it as much as I could and prepare myself mentally as much as I could, the whole time keeping an open mind and not giving myself unrealistic expectations, just hoping for the best. Even though Ryan didn't understand my desire to fore go an epidural, he was supportive of my decision.
After the pitocin was started and my contractions became regular, I started to feel the discomfort of labor, but it was manageable. That is, until she broke my water. When I was dilated to 5cm she broke my water, and instantly the intensity of the contractions doubled.  After two or three contractions I was ready for the drugs.
My midwife, Laura, told me to breathe through three more contractions and then she would see how I progressed. At that point, we would talk about what my pain options were. After three grueling contractions I had dilated to 6.5 cm, which, in my head at the time, wasn't nearly enough to keep going. Laura told me that she could put a little medicine in my IV that would take the edge off of the pain of the pitocin-laden contractions, or that I could have the epidural. She assured me that I would be pushing within the hour. That seemed like an eternity to me. I was shocked when Ryan encouraged me to keep going without the epidural. "You can do it, Sara."
 I thought, 'If he thinks I can do it, then maybe I can.'

Ryan stopped by after his big exams yesterday to spend a little time with his baby boy.

I think I must have dilated another 3 cm in one contraction, because I remember saying, "I just want the epidural!" and then I looked over at Laura and she was suiting up to deliver the baby."Which position is most comfortable for you to push, Sara?" she asked, "Whichever is fastest! I just want him to come!" I moaned. Everyone but me laughed at that comment. I pushed twice (while screaming my guts out)--- through the next two contractions--- and the next thing I knew they were placing him on my chest, asking Ryan if he wanted to cut the umbilical cord. And all the pain was gone, it was the craziest feeling. It was definitely the most emotional birth of any of my children, partly because it was so raw and partly because he's my baby, and having him born means my whole family is here.
I was talking to Ryan later on that afternoon and I told him that I was surprised he encouraged me to forego the epidural, seeing as he was so skeptical of it throughout my pregnancy. "Honey," he said, "I knew you could do it, but I also saw the look on Laura's face---there was no way you had time for an epidural. Going without it was your only option."
Am I glad I did it? In hindsight, yes. At the time I would have sold my soul to be numb from the waist down through those last three contractions, but now that it's over I'm glad I got to experience it the way I did. I have the utmost respect for women who choose natural childbirth time and time again.
Later that night, Ryan and Mary-Ann brought the three older children to meet their new brother. I was exhausted and a little worried that it would be a really stressful time for me, but when they walked through the door into my hospital room, I was overcome with pure joy. It was truly one of the happiest moments of my life, having my family together. Everyone is in love with Nathan.
We named him Nathan because we decided that such a big boy needs a strong name. I'm thinking "Nate the Great" will be a perfect nickname for our big bundle of joy. And we gave him Michael as a middle name because we wanted him to be named after his grandpa, because his grandpa is awesome.
We are all feeling pretty blessed right now.

Nate the Great and I on his birthday.

Introducing our Newest Addition...

Baby Payne #4 arrived today at 1:25pm. Both mom and baby are tired and happy. Our big guy weighed in at a whopping 10lbs, 4oz and is 22 inches long! A name is still being decided on.

We are so happy to have him here!

From the Mouth of My Babe

Beating the heat with our backyard blowup pool.

Maddie said it best the other day when she declared, "It's nonstop fun when Grandma's around!"

We miss you already, Grandma!