Caleb’s Birth Story
Updated May 14, 2020
I can’t believe Caleb is already a month old and I haven’t shared his birth story yet. Sorry! My hands have been full, literally. It is hard to type with a baby in my arms:) So without further adieu, here is how baby Caleb entered the world.
On Monday, September 26th, I started having contractions around 2:00 p.m. They were somewhat painful, but I was managing. I went on a lot of walks around the neighborhood and tried to stay busy to keep my mind off of them. The contractions got stronger and were every 3-5 minutes apart. Josh was timing them on his iPhone app:) Finally, around 7:00 p.m. we gathered our bags and went into the hospital.
They checked us in and hooked me up to a machine to measure my contractions. They were still every 3-5 minutes apart. The nurse checked me out and told me I was not even dilated yet. She also told me I probably wouldn’t have the baby for another week or two, even though I was 3 days overdue. I think she needed to read my chart:) We told her I was overdue and then she said, oh, well they will probably induce you on Friday then. I was crushed. I was ready to have the baby! I didn’t want to wait until Friday. The pain kept getting worse while we were there, so they gave me a morphine/phenegran shot to help me relax. I was very disappointed, but Josh was optimistic. He kept saying, we are having this baby tonight!
So we went home and tried to relax. The shot helped a little, but I was still in pain. We turned on Friday Night Lights, but even Tim Riggins couldn’t calm me down:) My contractions were getting stronger and stronger. I tried walking around the house, lying down, and even rolling on the floor. Josh was getting worried so he called the hospital again. They told us to come in since I was in such pain. At 1:00 a.m. we went back to the hospital. They checked me out as soon as we arrived. I was now dilated to a 5.5. Yahoo! I knew I wan’t making up the pain:)
I didn’t go to the hospital with a set birth plan, but I knew I wanted an epidural from the very beginning. I don’t deal with pain all that well and knew I would need the extra help. As soon as they put the epidural in, life was good. As soon as I calmed down, Josh said he needed to sit down and asked if they had any crackers. He was all worked up and started to feel nauseous:) Luckily, we both were able to relax. Our midwife kept checking on us and said things were progressing nicely. Around 3:45 a.m. they said it was time to push. I was ready to have this baby!
I couldn’t feel anything, so I wasn’t sure if I was pushing hard enough, but our midwife kept reassuring me that I was doing a good job. I almost fell asleep in between pushes, I think the shot from earlier in the night made me drowsy. I had to tell myself to keep my eyes open:) My contractions were lasting 10-11 minutes long, which isn’t normal so they were watching the baby’s heart rate closely. Luckily, everything was ok. I pushed for about 40 minutes and at 4:26 a.m. I heard the most beautiful baby cry. Our sweet baby Caleb made it safely. Josh cut the cord and they let me hold our little angel for the first time. He had a full head of dark hair and was as precious as can be. He weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. He was absolutely perfect.
They took us to our room and we stayed in the hospital for two days. Caleb had a little jaundice, so he had to be under the bili lights for a day, but it cleared up in no time. He was a good eater and sleeper, right from the start. We couldn’t take our eyes off of our little guy and all of the nurses were smitten by our handsome baby boy:)
We’ve been home from the hospital for over a month now and we are loving our new lives as parents. Sure, we are tired and probably too paranoid, since we are first time parents, but we are taking one day at a time. Josh is a wonderful father and such a good husband. We make a great team and enjoy spending every second with our sweet little pea. We are so blessed to have such a beautiful baby boy. Life really is amazing.
Thank you for sharing that beautiful story, Maria. He is precious.
He is absolutely beautiful! I love his hair! Congratulations!
Congrats! He’s absolutely beautiful! 🙂
Congrats again! So glad everything went well and you’re home enjoying your little guy 🙂
Thank you for sharing this story! Your baby Caleb is totally precious. 🙂
Thank you for sharing Caleb’s birth story with us, Maria! He is so beautiful and I can’t get over his beautiful eyes and that full head of silky baby hair. Hope I can meet your little pea someday. Congratulations again!
I am a second mom to twin boys. I was there at the hospital and fell in love at the incubator. They were 3 and 4 pounds plus a little. You are in for such a glorious experience. Boys are so much fun! And, they like to hang out in the kitchen and cook.
Oh, I forgot to add, your baby is just sooooo beautiful. And, just think in one year, he’ll be walking and able to wear a Halloween costume.
Congrats and thanks for sharing your beautiful story. Every birth is as unique as the child it brings to the world. And I have to say that one of the greatest parts of marriage is watching your husband become a father, makes you fall in love all over!
He is so precious. Congratulations!
What a wonderful birth story!! I got all teary… and am so happy for you two!
I was wondering if you would post more about the birth! What a great way to remember when Caleb showed up 🙂
congrats! what a wonderful story! i am due with my first in 2 weeks. yesterday after my doctor examined me, she said she was very sure my baby would come within 2 days. we’ll see!!!
Best of luck to you! Congrats!
Thanks for sharing. He is so beautiful!! Much happiness to you all.
Chiming in late but wanted to say thank you for sharing your blessing with us!
Awesome story – he is just beautiful! I have 3 more months to go and can’t wait to meet the little one.
Life is amazing. Thanks for sharing your story and the photos of your beautiful son!
maria– i didn’t even know this area of your blog existed! my bad. i was wondering where all the baby pics were. ha!
just finished reading this and still can’t believe you had a baby. thrilled over the moon for you and josh AND so happy for you both.
seems just like yesterday you were saying “i’m pregnant!”
🙂
I created an On the Side page for non-food posts:) The time did fly by! We are so glad our little pea is here. Thanks Dawn!
Finally had a chance to read this – beautiful story!! Caleb is so lucky to have such amazing parents 🙂
Thanks!! So good to hear from you! Miss you! xoxo
a belated congratulations to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life is wonderful with a baby boy!!! xoxoxo
Hi there! Found you on Tasty Kitchen. I had a baby on Sept 27th as well! Here’s her birthstory: http://spelhouselove.com/2011/10/06/the-explosion/
i love your story of your sweet baby boy.. my little angel just turned one.. she was a week over due and still only was a 5lb 12 oz. bundle 🙂 made me remember so many little things just reading your story. I think it’s time to write mine for the baby book . better late than never. thanks for sharing
Thank you!
Hey there this is somewhat of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if
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Congrats, what a wonderful story – Mama’s KNOW when it’s time even when all the signs might not yet be lining up. Enjoy every moment – he is adorable
Look at how cute he is .. Blessings on his journey