Welcome Eli

I’m not sure who came up with the phrase, “The days are long, but the years are short” but it is so very true.  This past week has flown by.  I absolutely cannot believe that Elias is already 10 days old!  In honor of my little man I wanted to share his birth story.  Okay, let’s be honest this is really more for me than anyone else.  I love to have a written record of things because I quickly forget or confuse details and I love being able to go back and reminisce.  So, here is a snapshot of Elias’ birth story and events from his first week.

Thursday, February 12th

4:45 a.m.       I woke up to use the restroom (for the 4^th time since midnight) and felt my very first contraction.

6:00 a.m.       After noticing that my contractions varied from 4-7 minutes apart and lasting only 10 seconds (not strong at all) I decided to go ahead and shower but I was seriously doubting that this was the real thing.

6:15 a.m.       I woke up Josh just to let him know; however, he was very concerned that since we lived over an hour from the hospital we should begin preparing to leave.  In his defense, the Friday before (at my last appointment) my doctor said I was 2 cm dilated and 60% effaced so the labor should go very quickly. 

6:30 a.m.       I called my OBGYN to get their opinion. They asked me to come into the office.  We finished packing the van.

6:45 a.m.       We woke up kids and got them dressed. I still was not convinced this was the real thing and was hesitant about spending the time, money, and energy driving out to Raleigh.

7:00 a.m.       We left the house and made our way to Raleigh.  Contractions averaged 5-6 minutes apart and 15-20 seconds long.  They were getting a little stronger which gave me a little more hope that today was going to be the day.  Josh was speeding.  I think he just wanted an excuse to drive with his flashers on (silly husband).

8:00 a.m.       Because I’ve always gone into labor in the early morning, it’s kind of our tradition to stop by Chick-fil-a and grab a biscuit on the way to the hospital…so, we made a pit stop at North Hills.

8:15 a.m.       We arrived at my OBGYN.  My blood pressure was very high.  This actually did not concern me at all because I typically have an excellent read on my blood pressure; however, during both of my other labors it was elevated on the day I delivered. Unfortunately, during the hour I was in the doctor’s office my contractions slowed to 7-8 minutes apart.

9:15 a.m.       My doctor told me that I was still only 2 cm dilated but about 80% effaced.  She said, “It could be today or it could be next week.  We will schedule you an appointment for Monday morning.”  I was majorly disappointed.  I was confused and frustrated because I didn’t know what we needed to do.  All I could think was, “What happens if we drive an hour back to Rocky Mount and then my water breaks and we don’t make it back to Raleigh in time?”  We decided to spend the day in Raleigh and see if the contractions would progress.

10:00 a.m.     We took the kids to Cameron Village story time so they could sing, dance and read books with Mr. Erik.

10:45 a.m.     We went over to Alexander YMCA (since my membership didn’t expire until February 16^th) and let kids play with the Haynes kids in the childcare.  Josh was able to work remotely in the lobby for a few hours.

12:45 p.m.     We had lunch at Moe’s.  At this point my contractions were consistent at 8 minutes apart.  I was still pretty bummed and very tired by this point.

2:15 p.m.       Traci Gallaher invited us over to her house so the kids and I could take a nap.  This was helpful so Josh could continue to work as well.

3:30 p.m.       We woke up and I began timing my contractions again.  They were back down to 5-6 minutes apart.

4:30 p.m.       We drove over to State Street.  Dana Haynes made me a delightful peppermint hot chocolate and then she, Robbie, and Josh took all the kids to Marbles Kids Museum while I rested. 

5:30 p.m.       I walked down the street to visit with Becca McInnis where we started making plans to go out to dinner for Ben’s birthday.

7:00 p.m.       On our way to Mellow Mushroom, my contractions quickened to 3-4 minutes apart and got quite a bit stronger.  We decided to go ahead and drop our kids off with the Gallaher’s (who were having small group at the Round’s house) and head towards the hospital.

7:20 p.m.       Because we had not had dinner and were both pretty hungry, Josh quickly ran into Chubby’s Tacos and grabbed a burrito for us to split. My contractions shortened to only 2 minutes apart lasting about 45 seconds so we scarfed our dinner down in the ½ mile drive to the hospital.

7:45 p.m.       We checked into triage at Rex.  My contractions were 1.5 minutes apart.

8:30 p.m.       The triage nurse told me that I was still only 2cm dilated.  Josh and I were completely shocked!  Hospital policy states that they cannot admit a mom or place her in a delivery room until she is at least 4cm dilated.  Because of how often I was having contractions and how far away we lived my doctor recommended that we try walking for a while.  He said he would check me again at 10:00 p.m.

8:45 p.m.       In the not-so-fashionable hospital gown, escorted by my amazing husband, I started walking laps all around that hospital.  Okay, to be honest, I wasn’t just walking.  I was so determined to stay and have that baby that I was speed walking…and praying…and pleading.  We walked, and walked and walked.  We practically wore out the tiles on the 2^nd floor of that hospital.  We did laps through the ICU, the heart center, by the gift shop, and all through the women’s center.  And then we walked some more (all while still having contractions 2 minutes apart).  At 10:00 my doctor wasn’t around because he was delivering another baby so I took that to mean I was being given more time to walk.

10:30 p.m.     With much anticipation and anxiousness I met the doctor to be checked.  Praise the Lord my cervix had dilated to 4 cm!  We were admitted and sent to room 231 where I cried I was so happy.

11:10 p.m.     I showered and the nurse hooked me up to monitor my blood pressure, contractions, and the baby’s heart beat.

Friday, February 13th

12:25 a.m.     I was exhausted from only getting about 3 hours of sleep the night before, timing contractions for almost 20 hours, and the emotional roller coaster we had been on throughout the day.  Josh and I agreed for me to take stadol and try to rest.  Although it gave me temporary relief from the contractions I was unable to rest well because of noise from another room and outside my door in the hallway (Josh slept well though- ha ha).

1:30 a.m.       The night nurse was concerned that I had not dilated any further and began strongly suggesting that I take Pitocin.  I argued that I didn’t want to take Pitocin but would rather walk.  However, because of my blood pressure they would not let me walk anymore.

3:00 a.m.       The contractions were causing a lot of pain in my lower back so Josh gave me the most amazing back rub ever.

3:30 a.m.       The night nurse told me that if I did not start dilating there were only a few options:  1) I could take Pitocin to induce labor, 2) I could get the doctor to break my water, or 3) I could leave.  I told her that if I was not progressing by 5:00 a.m. then I would get the doctor to break my water.

5:00 a.m.       After 24 hours of contractions, and knowing that my doctor was about to break my water, I decided to go ahead and get an epidural (Josiah came within an hour of my water being broken).  Although I was still having very frequent contractions I was still only 6cm dilated.

5:45 a.m.       My doctor came in and broke my water.

7:05 a.m.       Unfortunately, the epidural had slowed my contractions down to 5 minutes apart (However, I was so thankful from the relief that came from the lowered intensity of the contractions).  Josh had been asleep for about an hour when the day nurse burst in the room.  She was a little firecracker.  Moving through the room at high speed she opened the blinds, wheeled in the table with the doctors tools, turned on the baby warmer, and started rearranging furniture to prep everything for delivery.  Josh and I looked at one another confused.  Without trying to be rude, I asked her if she had checked my monitor, how long she had worked in labor and delivery and basically if she knew what she was doing.  With full confidence she said she had been doing this for 30 years and that she promised we’d be having a baby within the next hour or two.  I asked her how she was going to do that.  She said she was going to do whatever it took to get my contractions going strong again and she was going to start by, “flipping me like a pancake.”  She had Josh and I laughing like crazy.  While Josh went and grabbed breakfast, she moved me all around, she poked and prodded my stomach, and sure enough my contractions quickened again.

8:35 a.m.       I told Josh that I felt "pressure" and was going to call in the nurse after the next contraction.  She walked in as I was finishing that sentence, lifted up my blanket and said, “Yep, 10cm dilated.  Call the doctor.  Time to push.”  Josh and I were astonished.  Finally, the time had come.  We were SO ready to meet our little one and find out if it was a boy or a girl.

8:45 a.m.       My doctor arrived.  Josh, my doctor and the nurse coached me though about 7 contractions (12 -15 minutes) and…

9:00 a.m.       Josh announced that baby BOY Kelly was here!  We finally got to meet Mr. Elias Samuel Kelly!  (8lbs 4oz and 21 inches long).

Highlights from his first week:

*  Within moments of Elias being born I was able to hold and snuggle with him! He almost instantly began rooting so I tried to nurse him. He latched on by the 3rd or 4th try. To me this was practically a miracle because I’d had so much trouble nursing my other kids.
*  Addilyn and Josiah’s response to meeting their baby brother will forever be one of my favorite moments in life. I expected Addi to want to help and sure enough all she wanted to do is hold him. I was amazed at Josiah’s response though. Siah, was beaming and wanted to examine Elias from head to toe. They both were enthralled with how tiny he was. Josiah wanted to keep touching his little ears, and toes, and he kept rubbing his head. It was absolutely precious. This little boy is greatly loved by his siblings, that is for sure.
*  Saturday, Elias began cluster feeding. I could not get over how much this little champ was eating.
*  Sunday we got to go home! Josh and I realized we have brought home each of our children in a different vehicle to a different house. Kinda funny how that’s worked out.
Sunday night, Elias’ medicine wore off from his circumcision and he also had terrible gas (I’m talking stinky man gas- not just baby gas- lol). All day Monday he was stinking up the house. Addi and Josiah nicknamed him “little stinker.” He had also not had a bowel movement since his operation. We made a trip to Wake Forest to see the pediatrician and they told us he had lost 10% of his birth weight (I’m not sure how that was possible because of how much he’d been eating). I was also advised to cut out dairy to help with both his constipation and gassiness.
*  Tuesday the snow and ice came in which worked out perfectly for us to stay in and cuddle.
*  By Wednesday, little man was not struggling with gas anymore. Since then, I’ve had to wake him up at night to eat. I’m pretty sure he would already be sleeping 5-6 hours if I didn’t have to wake him.
*  Thursday we went back to the doctor and Elias had gained 6oz back already! The doctor was very impressed at how well he was doing!
*  Friday, Elias started smiling in his sleep. I’m not sure if it was gas, dreams, or just a happy thought, but I love those sweet toothless smiles all the same. He also started holding his head up much better, looking around more often, and focusing his eyes on things.
*  Saturday we had a dear friend come over to take newborn photos of Elias. She is SO talented and I cannot wait to share the pictures with you all! That evening we also had some of our Wake Forest and Raleigh friends over to meet Elias and see our new home, since most of them had not been able to make it out yet. It was such a great time.
*  Today, Sunday, was Elias first time at church! He was warmly greeted by lots oohs and aahs. Josh presented him to the Youth the way Rafiki presented Simba in the Lion King. The youth were distracted from listening to Josh because of Elias’ persistent hiccups. I also successfully wore him in the Moby wrap for the first time and he slept all the way through the service.