Welcome Caleb Jeffrey!

Well as the Lord would have it (and I think Dr. Seward somehow knew!), Caleb Jeffrey Clark was born yesterday, December 8, 2011, at 11:06am. 6 pounds 6 oz, 19 inches long. Here's the details:

I went to the Dr on Wednesday for a regular check up at 36 weeks and 2 days. I was 2 cm dilated and the head was down low. I thought for sure I would have a few more days. Dr. Seward said "probably within a week we might see fireworks". Great! I have a week to prepare. As he was leaving the room, he jokingly said "See you tomorrow." I laughed out loud and basically said I sure hope not.

That night, I went to our small group Christmas party by myself. Jeff was gone to a game and my mother-in-law watched Josh for me. He had thrown up the night before so I figured family was the best bet for watching him in case it happened again. Thankfully it didn't. At the party I was eating tons of food including a spicy artichoke jalapeno garlic dip. I definitely overate and at 11 that night, couldn't sleep well because I thought I was either going to be sick like Josh was or it was indigestion from all the food I ate! Thankfully I made it to 3am without getting sick. At 3, I started having different contractions. I had been having braxton hicks since about week 20 but these were different. These were sharper and lasted longer. I didn't think anything of them because they were irregular and I went right back to sleep after I had one. But starting at 5:30, I continued to get them and now they were every 4 minutes apart. I laid in bed for a half hour debating what to do. Finally I got up and went in the shower. They continued to come every 3 to 4 minutes. I called my dr at 8 and he said he was up at the hospital on call so come on up and get checked out. I got there having 3 contractions on the way...yuck!

Got to the hospital at 9 and was 5cm dilated. I think I would have rather been 8! But at least I was making progress in the last 3.5 hours. I labored on the birthing ball and standing up until 10:20 when I got checked again and was 8cm. Dr Seward broke my water then just hung out with us until about 10:50 when I told him I was feeling pressure. I started pushing at about 10:55. Seriously, the worst pain I can remember. I don't know if I just blocked the pain out with Josh, but I yelled several times "Get this baby out of me!" I truly felt and can still recall the "ring of fire" that felt like it lasted the entire 10 minutes of pushing. At 11:06, Dr Seward told me to reach down and take my baby. At that point, I again yelled, "Get him out!" as I was pulling him out. I don't think I cared at that point who was getting the baby, I just wanted him out. So Caleb came at 36 weeks and 3 days. Totally unexpected for me. Although physically I was prepared (Christmas shopping done and wrapped, house cleaned and clothes washed), mentally I was not! But praise the Lord, he is healthy and doing great! Nursing is going pretty well too!

I will post a picture soon when I get my camera photos uploaded. He is a sweetie :) Josh just basically ignores him. But I think he will get used to him quick. Thanks for everyone's prayers!