Jack Ryan Brassfield

Baby Jack Ryan Brassfield made his debut into the world yesterday, August 10th at 9:59am. He was 7 lbs, 13 oz, and 21 inches long. Fair amount of hair (which I am sure he will lose), chubby cheeks (not as chubby as Aimee's were), and a very sweet disposition.

I went in for my induction at 7 am yesterday. Even though I would have liked Jack to come earlier, it was kind of nice going in knowing that I would be having a baby that

day. After lots of checking in the nurse got me

started on pitocin. That was probably around 8... maybe a little later. The first dosage she started me on wasn't bad. My contractions were coming a little stronger - but no big deal. She asked me earlier if I wanted an epidural. I told her probably - but I wanted to wait a little bit because with Aimee, the epidural slowed my labor down a lot.

Big mistake this time around!

My doctor came in not long after I started the pitocin to break my water. I think I was only dilated to a 3 when he did that. Almost immediately I was being slammed with crazy bad contractions. It felt like a hot band of pain wrapped around my lower abdomen and back and on the tops of my thighs. I was caught a little off guard, that's for sure. I told Greg - get me the epidural!!! The anesthesiologist took a loooong time getting to me. I was starting to feel pressure... like pushing pressure by the time he arrived. I didn't think I would be able to sit still while he gave me the epidural. He asked my nurse, "How far along is she?" My nurse told him that the last time they checked I was at a 3. He says, "I don't think she's at a 3 any more."

Nope.

After he got the epidural in, they told me that it could take up to 20 minutes for it to be effective this far into labor. They checked me and I was at an 8. The pressure was getting worse with each contraction. I told my nurse, she checked me again and I was fully dilated, his head was there. It was go time!

Wait, I thought! But I can still feel my legs! I can still feel everything!

By the time the doctor and rest of the staff were assembled my legs felt tingly and heavier - my contractions still hurt like you know what, but they didn't last as long.

Seriously, before I knew it - I was pushing that baby out. I think on the 3rd push his head was out. One more and the shoulders were out. I could totally feel it and the pushing wasn't so bad. It felt good to push when I was having those painful contractions. So weird. This experience was nothing like my experience with Aimee. With Aimee I had no idea when to push... hardly felt any pressure... and it was a lot less painful!

If I ever have to be induced again, I will remember to get an epidural before my doctor brakes my water.

I think natural labor is something you have to be mentally prepared for and I really wasn't. Although I will say that it was a lot easier to push the baby out, especially since I could feel an urge to push!

And even though those contractions hurt like nothing I've ever felt before - I am grateful that I was able to be induced and that it went super fast.

When I got to hold baby boy, I knew his name was Jack. Greg said that he had the same impression when he saw him too. As soon as I said hello, I could tell he knew my voice. It was the sweetest thing. He knows his daddy's voice too. It's amazing.

I love his little squeaks and squaks! His little gremlin grunts... his bright and alert eyes... I'm so excited baby Jack is part of our family, I love our little baby!