Shum Aiga Rocks!: April 2012

I'm way past due on posting this (give me a break, I have a newborn, am in the process of moving, and my hubby is living in a different state) but it is nonetheless a very important and special event in our family. On March 28th, this handsome little guy joined us a few weeks back.

Of all our kids birth's Taiven's was definitely the most eventful of all. I went into deep detail in my personal journal so I'll try to keep it brief for all of you, but I'm horrible at that so it'll probably be long! Tuesday March 20th: Went in for my check-up was already dialated to a 3 (kinda freaked me out, worrying if Junior would make it for the birth) Had an induction scheduled for Aprl 4th (Tavita REALLY wanted him born on his birthday). Doctor then proceeded to tell me he was concerned because I had lost a pound and my stomach was measuring small. Thought it might be my placenta not fully functioning, wanted me to have a growth check ultra sound, if baby wasn't in at least 10th percentile, they would give Junior enough time to fly in then take the baby asap. (I was now totally and fully freaked otu) They then told me to come back on FRIDAY for my ultrasound. This lead to 4 days of extreme worry and lots of tears that my baby wasn't getting the nourishment he needed. If the baby ever went 10 minutes without moving I'd freak out thinking that he was in major distress or worse. I heard and read all sorts of horror stories about babies that died or nearly died as a result of the same condition. It was a HORRIBLE four days. Friday March 16th: Went in for growth-check. The tech took one look at me when I walked in and said she didn't see why the doctor was worried but checked me out anyway. Found out the baby was actually measuring a day ahead of schedule and his head had dropped. Thanks a lot Doc for making me go through misery for nothing! Next time you tell an expecting mother you are worried abouot their babies well being, send them in for an ultrasound THAT DAY! Next few days was spent scrambling to get ready for Junior's family to come, I had been too much of a basket case prior to even think about anything else. They came Monday evening which was wonderful. We hadn't seen them in 6 years and cousins got to meet for the first time (more on their trip later). All during Monday I kept feeling some pretty severe contractions but kept ignoring them hoping it was just Braxton Hicks. Tuesday March 27th: Went in for my weekly check and told them not to do an examination because I knew I was already progressing and didn't want them to trigger anything (had to hold on for 2 more days til Junior got here). Had an hour break and proceeded to a killer root canal. I had been trying to put it off hoping to do it after Taiven's arrival but both the dentist and the ob said not getting it done and risking the infection spreading to baby was more dangerous then getting it done so off I went. It took 2 1/2 hours (my tooth was "special" had and extra root and 2 extra canals all the roots were shaped like kickstands instead of straight down) with very little pain meds. Combine that with having to lay still on your back while 9 months preggo made for a VERY uncomfortable 2 1/2 hours. The endodontist kept having me take breaks and move around to make sure circulation wouldn't be cut off to baby. He said the whole ordeal was about as complicated as a root canal could get. I told him I don't do things any other way! Finally headed home to give Ross and Leanne (my incredible brother and sister in law) a break. Welcome to America, babysit my kids! Had an enjoyable remainder of the day hanging out getting to know their cute kids better. Spent the night planning out the rest of their trip. Had a lot of fun things planned, but little Taiven thought he'd mix things up a bit! Wednesday March 28th: Went to bed Tuesday night around midnight. Couldn't sleep due to the discomfort from my root canal. Then the indisgestion kicked in. Then around 2:00 am I started feeling contractions. Again kept ignoring them hoping they were Braxton Hicks (Junior was coming the next day, surely he could wait!) Contractions started getting more consistent. I was of very clear mind at this poing and was sure if I ate something the contractions would go away. Went down, ate a banana, and waited; and wouldn't you know, NOTHING! Those contractions just kept coming. So much for that plan. Finally at 5:20am I called Junior in tears to let him know I was in labor. My nerves were so shot at this poing I couldn't stop shaking (like horribly, could barely walk shaking). Took a shower, and it helped. Called my brothers Ryan and Tyler to come give me a blessing (SO grateful that I have priesthood holding brothers so close by). Junior called to say he found a flight and Jonathan was taking him to the airport. Woke up Leanne and Ross, yeah, you didn't watch my kids enough today, I'm now leaving them in your care indefinitely while I go have a baby. Aren't you glad you saved all that money to come tour America! They were saints about it and not only watched my kids but cleaned my house too! After the blessing I felt MUCH better and more at peace though still very on edge. Junior's Aunty Siiva offered to come sit with me unitl Junior got there. The two of us and Ryan loaded up in Ryan's car and we were off. By 6:45 I looked like this:

By 6:50 I looked like this:

That's right if you ever want an epidural FAST you just need to be a distraught basketcase explaining to the nurse that the man you have with you is in fact your brother not your husband and your husband is still in Arizona so they NEED to slow this labor down NOW! I had an epidural before I was even admitted! They told me the fact my water hadn't broken would be my saving grace. So long as that didn't happen, I just might be able to hold out (I have NEVER been so grateful my water doesn't brake on it's own, never has). They examined me once then said they weren't going to do anything more until Junior got there. Ryan then sped off to the hospital Aunty Siiva did a great job of keeping the conversation going so I could be as distracted as possible. At 9:40 one of the most beautiful sight I have ever seen came walking through the door:

I broke down in tears once again but they were tears of relief and gratitude. Despite all the family I had rallying around being so willing to help (and it was very much a joint effort by a lot of family as you can see) all I could think about was how much I wanted/needed Junior by my side. I needed his love, support and most of all I didn't want him to miss welcoming his little boy into the world. Now that Junior was there, I was geared up and ready to go. The doctor came in around 10:20 SHOCKED that Junior had made it. The fact that he was in the hospital room a mere 4hrs and 20min after getting a call from his frantic wife ws pretty impressive! Dr. Thorpe broke my water and things went pretty quick from there, made even more grateful my water didn't break on it's own because Junior would've missed it for sure. I think the epidural settled in my legs because they were COMPLETELY numb but I felt A LOT of pain and pressure during the final part of labor and the delivery (but hey, I didn't feel the shot they gave me in my leg post delivery one bit!). Dr. Reese came in 11:30 to deliver the baby, he too was shocked Junior was there. At 11:40 I started pushing and 3-4 mins (yeah, it was that fast) later Mr. Taiven Lealofi was here! If you can see that scale it says he was 7 lbs 8 oz (and that was coming 11 days early, so much for being in the 10th percentile!) and he was 18 in long. He was sooooo short. I loved when he was swaddled up because he looked so cute and compact.

Meeting my precious little boy for the 1st time (well 2nd, we hadn't gotten the camera out yet for the 1st. But it was my 1st time meeting him clean and recognizable!)