Fast and Furious

How was the birth? Fast and furious! If you are curious about the story--don't worry, no gory details--read on!

Sunday, September 28th came and still no baby. He was already 12 days past due and we had a scheduled date at the hospital for induction. We were to show up at 7:30pm and start the ripening gel in preparation for the induction the next morning. So, we dropped Owen off with Jon's parents...and went out to dinner! After full bellies, we showed up at the "baby hotel" (aka. hospital) and checked in. Because I was having such consistent contractions, they couldn't do the gel. We settled in for the night and enjoyed watching our last Sunday Night Football as parents of one child.

The next morning, my wonderful midwife decided not to induce me. Instead, at 7:15am she broke my water...and everything started. We walked one loop around the nurses station and had to go back to my room because of the intensity of the contractions. After laboring in my bath tub a while, we moved to the waterbirthing suite to finish and birth in the waterbirth tub. At 11:38, Evan Lyning Flaa made his way into the world after 3 minutes of pushing. My midwife almost missed the birth because it happened so fast!

Just over 4 hours of labor, but boy was it intense! I had a shot of nubain early on but no epidurals are allowed for a water birth. Jon says I had some good primal screams during the labor and I kept hitting the wall to the point they were conderned I would hurt my hand. Apparently I gave everyone some good laughs through it all. (I tend to get a little sarcastic when I am in pain.) At one point, I remember asking for a stick to bite on and some vodka claiming that birthing women always got that in the "olden days."

My nurse, my midwife, and the midwife apprentice that were with me were wonderful. They all said it was one of the most fun births they had ever been a part of. My sister was also there and a great support, but my husband was the best of them all! He even endured the multiple nail marks I left in his hands--oopsie!

We are so thankful for our newest little family member! Owen is fascinated with his little brother and loves to help. He enjoys hearing the baby burp and is very concerned when Evan cries. "Sad," he says over and over until Evan stops crying. Overall, we are adjusting quite well. We could all use some more sleep, but that'll come, right?!

PS. Waterbirth is actually giving birth in a big water tub. Babies don't breathe until they hit air. The warm water is great for easing back labor and decreasing your chances of tearing. I would highly recommend it!

It's a Boy!

Evan Lyning Flaa was born on September 29th at 11:38 am. He weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces and was 22 inches long. We are finally a family of four on the outside!

More pictures and stories will follow...

Waiting

Still waiting!! We are now 5 days overdue and counting as we wait for baby #2. We are encouraged that Owen is really working hard at developing the necessary skills needed to be a good big brother. He has become particularly good at sharing. In fact, just this week he decided to share a cold with his pregnant mother : ) They are both having a wonderful time bonding together over snotty tissues as they both breath out of their mouths together.....

I'd write more, but Owen is in need of some fatherly attention. We'll try to update this site with pictures of the best looking family of 4 you've ever seen as soon as baby #2 decides to make an appearance...

preggy pictures...

Praise the Lord! The end is near! No, I am not talking about the end of the world...I am full term now and baby could come anytime in the next 3 weeks! Yahoo!

I am slower than molassess in January and ready to burst at the seams with this baby! The easiest place I have found to take Owen is to tennis courts. He's contained and can run all he wants!

Here are some pictures my photographer friend took of our family. She needed a preggy model with a big belly. I DEFINITELY QUALIFIED! (And I just like to be able to tell people I am a model when they ask what I do.) "You know, full-time mom, part-time model..."

Enjoy!

KJ for the Flaas