Happy Birthday Asher!!!!

Asher Anthony Atkins (yep, we changed the middle name AFTER he was born! ha!)
DOB: Wednesday January 5th, 2011
Time: 12:52pm
Weight: 7lb 15oz
Length: 20in
Hair: strawberry blond that sticks up like a mo-hawk (no hair products needed! hehe!)

Ahhhh, I can't even describe the feeling now that I'm a MOMMY!!!! I LOVE every second of it!!! Mike documented some of the events as they happened at the hospital. I'm listing them here for my own purposes...they are probably pretty boring to most, but you're welcome to read how my hospital visit went.

Monday 1/3/2011:

8:30am:
Doctor visit to check blood pressure, high levels again. Doc said 'Ready to have a baby?!?' 'Yes!' I answered! He admitted us to the hospital right then...! EEK! Luckily we had our bags packed since we live over an hour away from the hospital. The doc explained that we would start the induction process this evening and by tomorrow at lunch time the baby would likely be here!

9:30:
McDonald's breakfast, stopped at my moms house to pick up nursing bras that she bought me! (Thanks Mom!!)

10:35am:
Checked into Baylor Frisco, answered a million questions, put my gown on and had to rest in the bed because of my high BP.

11:10am:
Labs...blood taken, urine sample, baby monitors on belly for Asher's heart rate tracking, filled out forms

3:40pm:
Last Supper: They explained that they have an amazing chef on staff and they can make me WHATever I wanted. I chose chicken salad sandwich, baked lays, sprite, chocolate ice cream and fruit! hahaha, it was DELISH!

4:30pm:
IV Prep in right wrist area. Eek, I hate needles!

5:15pm:
My mom came to visit. She mentioned that she took tomorrow off work in order to be at the hospital at the time of delivery! She also calmed my nerves a bit...I was so nervous!

8:45pm:
Nurse came in to say that my doctor called the hospital and postponed everything for 24-hours due to a 'schedule conflict'!!! GRRRRRRR! We were so upset! Since I was all prepped up and also still had high BP they wouldn't let me leave the hospital! I encouraged Mike to go home in order to get some rest in our comfy bed rather than at the hospital. Sooo, he left and they gave me sleeping meds in order to help me sleep. It worked just great...zzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Tuesday 1/4/2011:

9am--8:55pm: sat in my bed ALL day long. Played games on my phone, called friends/family, watched TV and ate food

8:56pm:
Moved to L&D room #7
1st dose of Cytotec given to soften cervix
dilated to 1cm

11:05pm: Ambian given to help me sleeeep
contractions started to hurrrrt

Wednesday 1/5/2011:

1:05am: 2nd dose of Cytotec given to keep softening cervix
LOTS of pain and contractions

lots of crying and shaking throughout the night...I was so scared, nervous and overwhelmed!

5:55am: dilated 3cm, pain and strong contractions continue

6am: IV fluids and got epidural process started

6:15am: Nursery nurse comes in to get Asher's table set up for delivery!

6:38am: epidural in. OUCH but totallllly worth it! No more feeling the contractions! Numb and heavy legs!

7:10am: urine catheter placed. Nope, didn't feel it! :)
Doctor comes...breaks bag of water

7:15am: My mom arrives, I'm feeling great!

8am: Pitocin started

8:15am: Mike's dad & stepmom arrive.

10am: 5cm dilated!

11:10am: 8cm dilated!

11:15am: delivery table delivered and prepped

11:55am: 10 cm dilated! Time to PUSH!

12:52pm: our sweet baby Asher was born!

Our overall experience was WONDERFUL! We would totally recommend the hospital, my doctor, the staff...everything! Asher came out very healthy. Over the course of days following in the hospital Asher was circumcised, bathed, tested for hearing, footprints taken, and loved on by lots of family and friends that came to visit! We are overjoyed and can't believe we are so blessed to have such a sweet baby boy! Thank you God!!