When we got down to the operating room, I remember the anesteologist talking to me briefly before he began the epidural. Jackie, one of my nurses was standing right in front of me (she could have used a mint) so that I had someone to hold onto as the Doc was doing his thing. I was pretty nervous about the epidural, but it wasn't all that bad. We actually had to do two of them, as he couldn't get the first one to work. The worst part was the numbing shot, just as they said it was going to be.
As soon as he had the epidural in, they had me lay back flat on my back right away. During this time, the other nurse, Chrissy and another one were going through and counting and inventorying all the tools that would be used. I thought that was pretty funny and couldn't quite figure out exactly how we were going to lose anything during the surgery.
Dr. Shah was in there by now, talking to me and getting my belly ready. Dr. Brady, a 4th year resident, was also in there to assist. Dr. Shah went to put up the curtain, so that I couldn't' see anything and warned me that it smelled like a new shower curtain. The anesteologist said that he thought it smelled more like new cheap crayons when you first open the box. These comments got quite the conversation going. We (me included) were then discussing which one the blue sheet smelled more like. I agreed with the crayons, and we eventually convinced Dr. Shah of the same thing. He finally agreed because he said between his two kids and large dog, they had to buy new crayons often because the dog really favored the flavor. Our conversation then went to to how his backyard must be very colorful.
During this time, I heard one of the nurses ask if she should "Go get Daddy?" and Dr. Shah said yes. I think he had already started the process of bringing Reilly into the world. Dave came right in and sat right up by my head. It wasn't to much longer that Dr. Shah told us that Rei's head was out, but I was nervous because there was no crying. Dr. Brady then told me there would be some pressure and my son was born. Again, no crying. I was getting worried, but the nurses and Dave assured me that everything was okay, and at last, we heard a whimper. Not a cry, but a whimper.
During this time, there was a rockin' 80's station on the radio, which started a whole new conversation about good vs. bad 80's music and a small game of "Name that tune", in which Dave participated, but I just listened.
It was about 10-15 minutes later that the nurses finally gave Reilly to Dave and he was able to bring him over to my side of the sheet so that I could get the first glimpse of my son. I was instantly in love.
The Doctors finished their business and we were wheeled into recovery. In recovery, they did what they needed to do, I was finally given some ice chips and then I got to hold my son for the first time! We spent about 25 minutes skin to skin before Dave was able to go tell my family that Reilly had arrived. They came into see us right away.
I didn't get to leave recovery until I was able to move my legs, and my nausea had passed. It wasn't to long before we were wheeled up to room 434, which was to be our home for the next 3 days.
I can't believe it's only been a week that Reilly has been in our lives. I've learned so many lessons in the past 7 days. Just since last Tuesday, I've learned that:
- It's true what they say, you feel a whole different kind of love when you look at your child for the first time.
- Boys tend to pee when cold air hits them...even if it's 4:00 am and you are trying to be tricky and change their diaper while laying in bed.
- Right after cold air makes boys pee, sometimes they poop and it shoots like a fountain, and then you get to change your sheets in the middle of the night.
- It's just a good idea to get yourself out of bed and change diapers on the changing table to avoid situations as stated above.
- Housework can wait. Snuggling MUST come first.
- Doctors can be wrong on predicted weight so you really should have some newborn size clothes around so your son doesn't look like a gangster in every outfit in his closet.
- My family and friends are the best in the world.
- Spending the first night in the hospital after a C-section stinks. The nurses are only doing their jobs, but ugh, why can't they just let people sleep?
- A 7lb being can completely take over your life.
- Epidurals make your ENTIRE body itch....so much so that running through a car wash and being hit by those coarse brushes seems like paradise.
- Your entire attitude towards most things changes...as long as your baby is okay, you're okay.
- I didn't know my heart could expand to love anyone this much.

It's 8:38-and my baby is ONE WEEK OLD! Happy 1 week birthday, Reilly Alexander!
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