Axton Arrives!!!

Axton Walter

June 18, 2011

7 lbs 8 oz, 21" long

Audria had the pleasure of being in labor for well over 24 hours.  Her contractions began on Thursday night and continued through the night (making it impossible for her to sleep).  Yesterday, Caleb emailed and asked if I'd stop by and check on Audria (he was at work).  She was doing great...having contractions...but they weren't regular yet.  I took the boys home to swim and then dropped them off with Daddy Steve at nap time and Namaw and I went to clean and help Audria with last minute preparations for Axton's arrival!

After we left her house, Dr. Carl came over and tried to help ease her back labor using his chiropractic knowledge.  She toughed it out at home until 9 pm when the contractions were 3-5 minutes apart and pretty intense!  They decided to head to the hospital and she was disappointed to learn she was only dilated to a 2.  However, her contractions were intense and regular, so they admitted her to the hospital.  Her water broke around 11 pm and then around 1:30 am this morning she got an epidural.  She was handling the contractions well...but the intense back labor that never let up was gonna do her in! 

I slept off and on last night listening for texts and phone calls.  Finally at 4 am we got a text that she was dilated to a 7.  Dad and Mom wanted to go ahead and head to the hospital, so I got up and got dressed.  Brody came in with leg cramps and wanted to go with me to the hospital...so off we went.  Thank goodness the Starbucks was open!  I splurged and got a venti ;)

We arrived to the hospital to find David & Daina sleeping on a couch in the waiting room that was attached to the L&D room (super cool to have a private waiting room!) and Trisha was asleep on one of the counter tops in the room!   After a little while, Poppy (Audria's grandpa) showed up and we all hung out in the room with Audria and Caleb until around 10 am.  At that point we decided to go out to the main waiting room because it was getting close to "push time"!  Carl arrived and became the source of entertainment for Brody.  I was amazed at how well Brody did with spending a day at the hospital!  I think having a playmate in Carl eased his boredom.  Here's a few pictures from our wait... (click on the collage to make it bigger)

I know what you're thinking...."That's not a venti?!"  You're right.  This was round #2!  This is what helped me make it though the day.  Starbucks and my iPhone....oh...and the prospect of holding a newborn nephew!!!

After 1 hr 15 minutes of pushing, baby Axton was born!  We got a text at 12:26....the minute he was born!  (Way to keep us in the loop, Trisha!)  When his head was delivered, a rush of fluids followed and he inhaled some of the fluid.  This caused a commotion in the delivery room and they nurses rushed into action.  He ended up being wheeled off to the NICU (much to everyone's disappointment!)  The doctor informed Caleb and Audria that there wasn't anything seriously wrong...but they needed to get the fluid out of his lungs.  They're hoping that he'll be able to join them back in their room by tomorrow.  We got to see pictures of Axton that Caleb took and I think you'll agree...he's adorable!

Brody was pretty disappointed that he didn't get to meet Axton (as were all of us), but I wonder if he thinks that's just what happens when babies are born?  He's still waiting to meet Luke too!  Hopefully in a few more days he'll finally get to hold one of his new cousins.