On July 3rd 2015 I found out we were expecting again! Matt and I were ecstatic. After our previous miscarriage it had taken months to conceive again. There were many tears shed and pleadings to our Heavenly Father. Finally we would be expanding our family!
For the first 16 weeks everything was going smoothly. I was, of course, tired and a bit nauseous but everything was developing as it should. Once I hit four months along contractions hit along with a drop in blood pressure. I was feeling so awful and heard those dreadful words: bed rest. With Camden I was put on bed rest at 28 weeks. I was nervous with this one to say the least.
In October we found out baby Link was another boy. I was so excited! I wanted another boy and for Camden to grow up with a buddy. Matt was a little sad at first. He wanted a girl so badly! After a few minutes his excitement grew as we talked about names. Originally he was going to be named Fynn. After talking about it it just didn't feel right. Little Fynn became little Tate instead.
The next several months we filled with days with Camden, some pain, a huge belly, decorating the nursery, and a fabulous baby shower! Once I hit 37 weeks Matt took a trip to California for work. I was nervous, but had the faith that our little guy would wait for his daddy. At my appointment it was confirmed he was definitely waiting- 0% effaced and 0% dilation. What!? I was upset. All that pain for nothing!
Matt came home Wednesday at midnight. I was overjoyed (and relieved) to have daddy home again! On Saturday I got up from a nap and as soon as my feet hit the floor my water broke. Not like a trickle. It was a movie status gush. I waddled to the bathroom, made the appropriate phone calls, and slightly panicked that my baby was actually coming.
Once at the hospital and going through triage, we were taken to a room. Everything seemed to be going well. I felt great. I was dilating on my own without pitocin, The doctor was just going to let everything proceed naturally. Next thing I know my nurse tells me to get on my hands and knees, Oxygen was strapped to my face and nurses and the doctor comes in. I soon found out his heart rate went from 160 to 90. Talk about a panic attack! Thankfully he moved around and it came back up.
The rest of labor I stared at that heart rate monitor. I prayed with all of the strength I had and pleaded for the safety of my baby. By 5 cm I was ready for an epidural. An hour and a half later it was in place, but only my left side was numb. After 30 minutes tweaking with everything in my back and two manual syringes I finally felt relief.
Not soon after that it was time to push. His heart rate dipped a little again, but I was able to push in between contractions. After a 9 hour labor and 20 minutes of pushing Matthew Tate made his entrance at 11:35 pm. He was perfect, He had a bit of fluid in his lungs, but after a good suction he was fine.
The epidural wore off fairly quickly on the right side. The left side was another story, It took an additional 6 hours to regain feeling enough to get to the bathroom with assistance. I've never been so grateful for the use of my legs. It's something I remember almost daily.
My father-in-law brought Camden to the hospital. We were so excited to see him! A night away felt like an eternity! He immediately loved his brother and frequently like to look at his "baby brother". We were released the following morning at 1 am. We were ready to go home and take our cranky toddler to his own bed!
The first week was bit rough. I hit baby blues and had to go see my OB (an hour and a half of sleep in 2 days will do that to a person). Tate was gaining weight slowly, had reflux, and had a high level of jaundice. We spend a lot of time at the pediatrician and hospital as they did his heal pricks. I felt like I was relearning how to take care of a newborn all over again.
Tate is now 6 weeks old. His jaundice is all but gone. His reflux is controlled and he's gaining weight beautifully! I'm finally starting to feel a little normal. The soreness is wearing away and hormones seem to be leveling out. Camden is still so in love with his little buddy. Every day I hear, "Mommy, he's so cute! Hello Tate!". Matt is working as hard as ever. He is the biggest help at home and I am so grateful for his willingness to do so!
Life is a bit crazy right now, but we're slowly getting on a schedule. We love every minute of it! For now, our two littles are enough. We love our family and are so grateful Heavenly Father entrusted us with this sweet boy!
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