Brock Michael Norton - Dec 5th, 2011

Well, as most of you already know Brock Michael Norton was born on Monday December 5th, 2011 at 2:47 pm.  Weighing in a 7lbs 3.7oz and 19.5 inches, he came into the world wide awake and ready for action.

As planned we checked into the hospital at 6pm on December 4th.  I was given Cervadil and left to "marinate".. I started having contractions immediately (we actually suspect they started before we arrived).. they were mild and actually made me laugh - which kept throwing off the monitors, much to Scooter's dismay.  (He got VERY good at reading all the charts by the end of our stay at Tomball Regional).

By 2 am the contractions were no longer "funny"... but I stayed up and stayed quiet so that Scooter didnt worry, and got some sleep for the both of us.  By 4:30 am I was in tears -- this was not what I had expected and there was no way I could do this for much longer.  When the nurse confirmed that dispite the contractions I had "not made any progress", a phrase I am all too familiar with, I thought I might die.  Instead I threw out all plans of a 'natural' childbirth -- it was an ill advised idea anyway -- and I took the pain killers..

Less than 2 hours later I was dialated and ready for Pitocin, which I was told would make the contractions increasingly more severe.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? But I was also informed that I was far enough along for the epidural.  Hey - I already took the narcotics, and they have worn off.. I have a LONG way to go and this wonderful angle (nurse Erica) is offering me COMPLETE pain relief.  Who was I to turn it down?? At 8 am I was feeling like a rockstar, that could no longer walk due to complete numbness of my lower body.

At 2pm we were informed it was time to start pushing... 20 minutes later, and still feeling GREAT, I was told I had to stop pushing because baby was going to make it before Dr Davidson.  At 2:30 Dr. Davidson was in position and we were moving again.  Brock made his appearance at 2:47 pm, and because of an earlier conversation with the "angel", Nurse Erica, about Courtney Kardashian's strange, reality TV, child birth (you know the one where she caught/delivered her own baby)... I decided to do the same.  Really it wasnt a conscious decision, and by the time I realized what I was doing it was too late to back out...

Plus there were much more important things to wory about like -- IS IT A BOY OR A GIRL??

Obviously it was a boy, we named him the next day after long debates on possible names.  Two long days later we were allowed to go home.

Last night was our first night at home and I am sure that with each passing day it will get easier and more routine, right?? 

I hope the update wasn't to descriptive or too much info for anyone (remember you chose to follow the link and read the blog).. but it is feeding time now and I dont have time to edit before I post.  Love you all!!!

Last Day of Work

So (unlike November 18th - that now seems SOOO long ago) this will really be my last day of work.  Even if baby decides not to make an appearance until the end of next week I dont think it is safe for me to be at work when I am 42 weeks pregnant.

Dont get me wrong - I am NOT worried about my health or the health of baby Norton.. I am worried about "snapping" one day - completely loosing my mind, that is.  And I figure a middle school is not where a person should be when they finally loose it.

So for the safety of my students and my co-workers,, I will officially be on maternity leave after 2:45 pm today (December 2nd).

Oh my god -- I cant believe it is December already!

Pregnancy Updates

Okay... because I dont want to be one of those obnoxious people on facebook that post EVERY DAY about their pregnancy, I have come up with a solution that I can stomach. (no pun intended)

Now that I am 41 weeks and counting - I understand that many of our friends are chomping at the bit for daily updates.  Here is where you will find them (maybe not daily - but regularly until I finally go into labor).

I was due on November 26th or November 28th (depending on the conflicting paperwork we have).. Those due dates have come and gone and I am back at work trying to save every possible maternity leave day that I can.

On Tuesday I had my final Dr's appt, where I thought they would schedule me for a labor induction in the beginning of my 42nd week.  NO SUCH LUCK.. but we are getting closer.  I have been assured I will not be pregnant forever.

I have been instructed to check into Tomball Regional at 6pm on Suday December 4th.  If there is still no progress (as has been the case for the last 5 weeks) They will administer Cervadil (sp) and I will have to spend the night.  On Monday morning, if the Cervadil has worked it's magic, they will be able to start giving me Pitocin (sp) to induce labor.  However if the Cervadil does not help labor advance as desired, I will be sent home for another week.

Past that I have no idea what the plan is...

So here we are, putting all our sanity on the success or failure of the Cervadil.

WEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!