Madison's Arrival

Hey Everyone!

Here is the story of Madison's arrival into our world.

Monday morning at 1:30 April woke me up by saying she thought she may have peed in her sleep and needed to go to the bathroom.  I asked if she had pains that would go away then come back and she told me she wasn't sure, but thought her water may have broke and was going to take a shower.  While she was showering I heard her moan really loud at which point I stopped my hurried packing of the truck to see if she was ok and take note of the time.  I knew at this point that there was no question about her being in labor. I stayed in the bathroom and waited until the next contraction started; I thought my eyes were lying to me or I had mis-read my watch when it started 3 minutes later.  My eyes were being honest and my time telling abilities were not failing, the contractions were indeed 3 minutes apart.  At this point, I said to myself, "oh shit we are a good 25 minutes from the hospital going the speed limit."  So I went into overdrive getting the truck packed.  Once I had finished I returned to the bathroom to find April out of the bath and having another contraction.  Once she finished she said she had to dry her hair and put on her makeup.  I thought, "Really? Dry hair, make up?"  She had almost finished drying her hair when she finally decided to listen to me and get in the truck. 

I got her loaded and climbed in the drivers seat at which point she reminded me that I should give the horses some hay.  I jumped out of the truck and threw a few flakes over the fence then ran back to the truck.  I sped towards our gate, slammed on the brakes, opened the gate and got back in the truck. It is now 2:07 according to the clock on the truck radio.  April told me to drive careful because it hurt when I stopped the truck, which is understandable.  I wanted to go as fast as I could through our neighborhood, but the cops are so bad here I held it to only 10 miles over. Once out of the neighborhood I kicked it up to about 80-85 down 3351 towards I-10.  I knew once I hit I-10 I would be golden since it was so early.  While I was driving the books I had read and classes I had taken on driving were kicking in. Hands at 9 and 3 to maximize control, shuffle steer, late apex corners, brake before entering corners, look through the corners to find my exit, gentle roll back into the throttle mid-corner, etc..etc...   We got to I-10 and hit green lights at the access road.  Once I got on the highway I figured I would keep it under 100, which I did.  Although, 98mph is still fast through a narrow construction zone.  After scaring the crap out of a few cars on the road, we arrived at the hospital at  2:25.  

As we pulled into the emergency drive April finished a contraction so we had +/- 3 minutes to make it to labor and delivery. I left the truck in the emergency circle drive of the hospital and April and I ran to the second floor where labor and delivery is.  They knew we were on our way because I had called them while we were making our mad dash.  While we were trying to answer their questions to complete admission, April had another contraction at which point the nursing staff went into action and shuffled us off to the nearest delivery room and promptly striped April down and examined her at which point they said, "You are having this baby now and you can push whenever you want."  Now the only thing that was in our birth plan was drugs and lots of them.  This was April's first demand when we got there.  They told her that it was way too late for that and that she was going to have the baby without them.  I have never seen such a look of pure horror on someones face.  I asked if I had time to move my truck, and they said probably "..if you hurry."  I sprinted down the hallway and figured I had better call Ted and Mary.  So while running down the hallway I gave them an update and they said they would get ready and head our way.   I finished parking the truck and sprinted back to the room to see one nurse complete the IV as a second one say she could see the head.  This was at 2:35.  I looked down and saw the head then concentrated on trying to help April through the delivery.  The nurse that had put in the IV was amazing.  She helped April focus and walked her through pushing, I couldn't thank this nurse enough later as she took Madison and I to the nursery.  Anyway, April had 9 minutes of pushing and loud screaming and at 2:44 am on 1/24/11 Madison Alexis entered our world.

After she was born, they went through the normal steps, clean, check vitals, get the AFGAR score which I believe was 89, weight 6 lbs 13.5 oz, etc.  I called my parents at this point and said that Madison had arrived.  My Mom said "you mean you are at the hospital."  I told her no, and to listen to her new granddaughter crying.  April then nursed Madison for a few minutes before Madison and I headed off for the nursery.  While April was nursing, the doctor on call finally showed up, 15 minutes after delivery.  I may dispute whatever bill I get from that lady. Once we get to the nursery the nurse there started explaining to me what she was going to check and do.  She measured Madison's length, 20 inches. She checked her temp, blood sugar, blood pressure, and a bunch of other things.  While doing this she said that it normally takes an hour before they get the baby's temp up and stable enough to give them a bath.  Not my daughter though.  The nurse looked at me and laughed and said that my baby is an exception because her temp is where it should be and Madison preceded to have her first bath.  I was ticked because I didn't have my video camera but I got a few photos of the experience.

The rest of the time at the hospital was nothing out of the ordinary.  Family and friends came by on Monday to see how April was and get introduced to Madison.  Then Monday night we kept Madison in our room and she thanked us by keeping us up all night but I wouldn't have changed a thing.  I use to have several favorite sounds; the first time a motor kicks off after I've rebuilt it, the sound of a high-lift, solid lifter cam in a big block, the sound of a top fuel dragster.  Now after spending the first couple of days with my new daughter and especially that first night, there is nothing sweeter then the sound of her little sounds and cries.

We arrived home around 11am today, 1/26/11.  April's parents were kind enough to take care of our animals and clean up a little bit in our house while we were at the hospital.  We were very glad for this so that we could concentrate on our first afternoon home with our little one.

I have taken 2 weeks off of work to spend with April and Madison and acclimate to our new life.  April and I are so exited to begin to watch Madison grow and learn.  We are sure there are going to be some exciting things in our future.