That Moment...

Before I forget any detail I must blog about the birth of little Perry....

Thanksgiving Day/ Thursday- Nov 25: My mother, step father, and sister brought an amazing Turkey Day feast to our home since we were Bham bound. It was a beautiful day with much to be thankful for. I had very few contractions throughout the day and my plan was to "eat" my weight in dressing ... hoping to "evacuate" my little man! No such luck.. just a minor tummy ache from entirely too many sweets, casseroles, meat, and dressing!

Iron Bowl/ Friday- Nov 26: Wesley had to work so my mother decided to stay in Bham for the weekend to help me to my doctors appointment on Monday. (thank God for my sweet mother who has basically put her job on hold for the last 6 weeks for us!) I had a rough morning with a couple of painful contractions. We dressed in our Orange and Blue and got ready to watch our AU-some TIGERS! I spent most of the day in the recliner having some hard contractions ... still nothing consistent but noticeably more painful. That night was AWFUL... I was up having strong contractions every 10 minutes and called the hospital around 4 AM. They told me to wait until they were consistently 4-5 minutes apart...

Birthday/Saturday-Nov 27: After lots of water and pedialite they eased up some and Wesley went on to work... I had my mom so I didn't want him to sit around and wait for me to do something... when I could labor for another day or so. I was unable to eat my breakfast because of the pain I was experiencing but still no consistency to contractions. Mom and I decided to go to Olive Branch for lunch because I was getting hungry and I was going to be in pain regardless of where I was... might as well try and get a good lunch!? By the time my food arrived I had NO appetite and was cringing with pain. Still the contractions were not 5 min apart. My mom persuaded me to at least go get "checked" to see if I was dilating. So York, mom, and I headed to the hospital around 1 pm. I decided not to call Wes because we didn't want him leaving work for a false alarm. At 1:30pm the nurse checked me and asked me to "guess" how much I had dilated... After my discouraging "NO change" week before I told her that I hoped I was 10 but felt I was probably 2-3 if anything... She laughed and said "Well you are 5 centimeters and I can feel his head... I'm surprised your waters haven't broken!" WOW... I couldn't believe my ears! She then told me to gather my things that we would begin an IV, get blood work, and request an epidural that we would have a baby TODAY! After picking my jaw off of the floor I called Wes as they put me into room 8 around 2pm. Wesley arrived at Shelby Hospital (in Alabaster) from downtown Birmingham in only 20 minutes... he was so scared he would miss something! After they received my lab results they called for the epidural... which I got when I was 8 centimeters! Luckily it WORKED this time!! What a different experience than the first... Now wonder women have second and third babies! A total 180 from my first delivery. I was able to relax and chat with the nurses as I progressed to ten centimeters. It was amazing... this is how drugs are supposed to work! I began having alot of pressure around 5:30-6pm and they prepared for pushing. I pushed about 5 times and he popped right out!

Then it happened... the moment every Mom dreams about... the moment that was robbed of me during the birth of my first child... the moment in time when there is absolutely no doubt God exists... the moment all time stands still...

They placed a tiny new life across my chest. A long 9 + months you've waited to hold, kiss, snuggle, and stare at this precious gift. All is good in the world and Thanksgiving has never meant more than it did in that moment. I may have taken that moment for granted if I had gotten it with York... but because of the emptiness I felt as they took my first born from my womb straight to the NICU I will Cherish those sweet, pure, and priceless moments with Perry forever.

Bringing another life into this world is an overwhelming but incredibly rewarding experience that is just as amazing the second time. I think you feel more confident, together, and prepared for the second and your are able to enjoy and savor the minutes after birth more.

Perry is the perfect addition to the Harless Home and we are enjoying every second with this sweet child. York is doing beautifully with him... He says "brotha", "baby", "hey babeee", "John-Burke?"--I though he was calling him John Burke (Which is a great friend of ours little boy-that we are with all of the time!) but realized he was calling the car seat/carrier John Burke because they have the SAME one!! He loves to give him kisses all over and tries to put a paci in his mouth constantly! He is a bit rough but we are working on that. He climbed in his bassinet last night... luckily Perry was safe in the bouncy seat! He is wanting more of my attention than usual but that is FINE with me ... I missed him so very much during our hospital stay! I am trying to spend time with him away from Perry so he will know that he is important too and we love him very much. I think he will be a great help and a wonderful big brother! As for Wesley... most of you know he is an only child so when I told him we were pregnant again his mouth hit the floor! He has had 40 weeks to "process" that we would have 2 children soon, but it finally hit him last night! Picture this -York running around like a wild Indian (yelling, singing, throwing balls, climbing stools, etc) and Perry was screaming because he was STARVING... Wes walks in the door from a long day at work and I hand over Perry because I'm about to wet my pants! As Wes tries to soothe Perry and "discipline" York I take my 5 minute potty/sanity break! When I return Wes hands over Perry (who is still screaming at the top of his lungs) and tells me that York got a spanking because he was trying to climb in Perry's bassinet and that he needed a break because that was "intense". Really? Intense? I hadn't noticed... I guess Daddy's are just not wired like us Momma's! So York and Wes are adjusting to our new family of four and Perry and I are enjoying the ride! Life is so sweet right now and I am in love with 3 of the most amazing boys on this PLANET!

xoxo-Evan

(hospital pix, Thanksgiving pix, etc -coming soon!)