Best of Friends, The Richardsons: Samuel's Birthday

On Tuesday I woke up around 3:45am eager to get to the hospital so I could meet my new little boy Samuel. Lesh and I got to the hospital around 5:30 where they took me straight to my delivery/recovery room. I got dressed into my hospital gown, signed some papers, got my hospital bands put on and then into the bed I went.

Then the nurses could not get my IV in and they poked me 5 different times to find a vein that would work. This was quite painful and I have the bruises to prove it. 2 different nurses had to work together to make one work. So that was done and then I was hooked up to a blood pressure cuff, baby monitor and contraction monitor. Come to find out that my contractions were already 5 minutes apart so I was already in labor on my own! The nurse started my pitocin around 7:30. I asked for my epidural around 9:30 and was feeling good until around 11:45 when I started to feel my contractions again and very strongly. The anesthesiologist was called to come back and he tried 3 different drugs to help my pain go away, but unfortunately none worked and I got to experience labor like my ancestors did! Quite painful, but thankfully I was only in excruciating pain the last hour and I only had to push once!

Samuel was born at 12:58pm weighing 8lbs, 21 inches long. I was shocked by his weight considering Nathaniel was only 6.9 lbs and 19 inches long. The doctor said, he's big and I was like, what? And then to find out he had brown hair and lots of it? Totally different from Nathaniel. It is funny because this pregnancy has been completely different from the beginning.

I felt so blessed to have a healthy baby boy born with no major complications. We loved all our nurses and I love my doctor too! What I loved about the hospital I delivered at was that I delivered and recovered in the same room. Also the baby never leaves the room. Usually the baby is taken away for a few hours to get looked at, but at my hospital the nurses and doctors come to the baby and there is a special bed that is in the room with you so you don't miss a thing! It was wonderful!!

I was able to nurse right after delivery and watch him have his first bath in my room. Later, family started to arrive to meet Samuel. Nathaniel meeting Samuel for the first time was the best!! He was so excited to see him and hold him! I love having 2 boys!

That night I did send Samuel to the nursery so I could get some good sleep in between feedings and got some good rest. The next day we had more friends and family visit. We went home after 2 nights in the hospital and now we are adjusting to the lack of sleep! I'm exhausted, but I'm rejoicing and thankful to God for this wonderful blessing!! We have asked of God and have been heard by God. Thank you Lord for Samuel.

Seconds after Samuel was born!