37 weeks and 6 days

Well, Monday, June 21st, was my last doctor's appointment. The weekend prior to this I had been really feeling bad. My thighs were very achy and I wondered if this was some type of labor. I was also having a lot of Braxton Hicks and I felt just yucky. We were supposed to take the kids to Wild River Country that Saturday, but I was just not up to it. So, we took them to see Toy Story 3 instead. I'm so glad we did this. It was our last big thing to do together as a family of four!


So, Monday morning, I was very anxious to go to my appointment. I just knew that I'd be about 4 cm or something because of all that had gone on over the weekend. When the doctor checked me I was only 2 cm and 80% which was up some from 10 days before where I was almost 2 cm and 50%. She decided to strip my membranes. She said this could help speed things along. Around 11:00 a.m., she left the room and I got up off the table and kind of felt a little gush. I thought I'd lost control of my bladder! I told Kris I needed to go to the bathroom. I used the bathroom and started kind of wondering if possibly my water had broken. The doctor was outside so I told her what happened when I got off the table. She asked me if it gushed. I wasn't really sure how to describe it. She suggested I walk around for a bit and see what I thought. We decided to just go on home. At home I was still having a little water leak out of me every once in a while. So, Kris and I debated on what to do. I talked to several friends who suggested I just go to Labor and Delivery and have them check me out. I'd never had my water break before so I was just a little unsure as to what exactly was going on. My brother Jeff had been in Texarkana for the weekend and was coming back into town that afternoon. I was VERY emotional for some reason and so mom suggested he come and help me with the kids that afternoon so I could just rest. Well, we decided that we'd go to Labor and Delivery when Jeff got there to watch the kids to see if maybe my water had broken. I packed everything up--just in case. I picked Kris up from work and we got to the hospital around 3:45 p.m. They took me to a delivery room and hooked me up to all the monitors. More fluid came out when I laid down on the bed, so I was pretty sure at this point it was my water. At about 4:15 they did the test and said yes my water had broken. At this point, I was 3 cm and 70% per the nurse. I was not having any contractions yet.

I put this picture on here so I could remember how big my tummy was!

So, around 4:45 p.m. I got my IV. Oh how I hate those things! My doctor wasn't on call so we saw Dr. Deed. She wanted to start the pitoccin soon but I had to get at least one round of antibiotic in me for the Group B Strep before I could have the baby. By 5:30 p.m. I had one round of antibiotic in and she started a low dose of the pitoccin. They told me I could have my epidural whenever I was ready. Since I was feeling no pain, I decided to wait a bit.


Around 6:15 p.m. I started feeling the contractions every 4-6 minutes for about a minute each. They weren't too bad. At this point my mom was on her way from Texarkana. She really wanted to be there for the birth. We were hoping she would make it. Dad had to bale some hay that night and had something he had to be back for the next day, so I wasn't sure he'd get to come. (He ended up driving in later that night just about the time the baby was born after baling his hay!)

So, around 7:00 p.m. they told me that my platelet count was a little low at 98,000. Apparently, it had to be above 100,000 to be able to get the epidural. I freaked out at the thought of not getting the epidural. So, they did more bloodwork to retest my platelets. Mom, Jeff, and the kids got there about this time and so they were a bit of a distraction for a while which helped. Around 8:15 p.m. they finally got my bloodwork back and it was above 100,000! Yeah! I was ready for that epidural by this time! The anesthesiologist came in and started trying to give me my epidural. OH MY! He had the hardest time. They stick you to numb you before putting the bigger needle in. He would put in the big one and I could kind of feel it going up. It is like it would go off to the side and I would feel this pain. I let them know about it and they'd ask me which side hurt. It was the left side. So, he'd come out and try again--and again--and again! Kris, who was looking on from a couch in the room, said this probably happened a dozen times! It was awful! Apparently my muscles in my spine were so close together that he had a hard time finding the epidural space. He said I was too muscular! Guess all that Aqua Moms paid off! Ha! The whole time I was bent over the bed holding onto the nurse and taking deep breaths trying to relax. There was one time it hurt so bad I just about lost control. I really had to work to regain my composure. It was scary because you have to be so still for this procedure. I just kept praying to God that it would be over soon. It finally worked around 9:00 p.m. Kris was just about sick at this point from watching it all! They checked me and I was 5 cm, 70%, and the baby was at a +1 station (+3 is where the head is crowing). The epidural began to work. I was a little worried about it working right due to all the trouble he had getting it in.

All through this whole thing I kept telling the Dr and nurses that I would probably go fast. I guess around 9:25 I was feeling some pressure down there and the doctor came in and said there was a change in the baby's blood pressure. So, she checked me and I was complete--10 cm and +3! He was right there ready to come out! The Dr. said we didn't need a practice push. I had no feeling in my legs, but when I got ready to push, I could feel all the pressure and knew when I was having the contractions. I think I had 4 contractions and pushed twice with each one. I could definitely feel the baby come out this time. With Hannah and Lincoln I had no feeling at all down there. Well, I got to experience it somewhat with this little one! I was really nervous about this and just kept praying that it wouldn't take long to get him out. Thankfully it didn't. Mom was able to be in the room, which was neat. Of course, Kris was by my side the whole time.

Layton Ean Keim was born at 9:34 p.m. He was beautiful.

It is such an emotional moment holding that little one for the first time. What a blessing.

Layton weighed 7 lbs 8 oz. and was 20 1/4 inches. I thought he looked kind of like Hannah when she was born.

I love this picture.

Daddy holding Layton for the first time. So sweet!

One of the neatest parts of the whole thing was introducing Layton to his big sister and big brother. They came in the room and were so eager and excited to see him. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I think I was telling them what his name was. Even now they still call him "baby brother" a lot. Lincoln actually refers to him as "my baby" quite a bit.

I love the looks on their faces. They were very curious.

Lincoln was touching all over him--pointing out all his parts. He seemed fascinated by his "little cheeks" and "dark hair" and "little hands". He can be quite rough, so we have to watch him closely!

Sweet moment. Hannah holding Layton for the first time. She has been FANTASTIC with him. My mom thinks she is such the natural little momma. She wants to hold him all the time and is very quick to bring me things that I need. We have been so proud of her!

Family of 5 now!!

See what I mean. Lincoln was talking about his "little cheeks."

Big brother holding Layton for the first time. I love his big smile!

Layton and Mimi! I was so glad Mom made it this time!

I noticed Hannah was in lots of the pictures. She just couldn't get enough of him that night.

Layton and Pappaw. Thanks, Dad, for driving all that way so late! I'm glad you were there!

Uncle Jeff and Layton. I love this picture with all the kids.

Layton getting all cleaned up.

Look at those cheeks and that hair!! Precious!

Mohawk.

My three kiddos! I love them so much!

Uncle Wes flew in from Dallas on Tuesday and stayed until Friday. It was good to see him.

We had several visitors while we were in the hospital. I wish I would have taken everyone's picture. I did get this cute one of Eden holding Layton. Thanks to all who visited us!

Getting ready to go home on Wednesday morning. I love his little outfit. It was so tiny.

Yeah! Going home!

Welcome Home Layton! We are THRILLED to start sharing life with you! We love you!

P.S. Lots more pics to come--when I can find the time! Can't wait to share!