I had been in pretty regular contact with your mom over the past couple of weeks, checking in to see how she was feeling and looking for any signs that you were on your way. Your due date came and went pretty uneventfully and then on Tuesday, May 15th at 9:27 am, I got a text from Alli:
"Hey! Can I call you?"
Love texts like that!! I knew immediately that things had started and right away that rush of excitement hit me. We chatted on the phone for a few minutes, your mom was starting to have mild contractions and we agreed that she would keep in touch and she would let me know when she felt like she needed my help. About an hour later she texted again and asked if I could come over sooner rather than later and at about 11 am, I made my way over to your house.
Things were going smoothly, your mom was coping perfectly, taking each contraction as it came and then letting it go. No fear, no panic, just calm as can be. And hungry, your mom had an appetite pretty much the entire time. My favourite moment was watching her munching away on dill pickle chips, then put the bowl down to focus on a contraction, take a deep breath and blow the contraction away then 2 seconds later, back to munching away on chips, happy as can be.
We spent the better part of the day just hanging out, I sat at the table working, occasionally making suggestions but for the most part, she didn't need me, she just handled it so well. Your dad was there working away too, and running some last minute errands. It was a quiet calm day, music playing in the background, and everything was super chill. Slowly but surely the contractions picked up and got closer together and more intense, and all the while, your mom just rolled with it.
In addition to the support of all the people on the team (your dad, me, midwife Heather), there was Fred, your dog. He did not leave you mom. He stayed right with her through every contraction, protecting her and standing guard.
Around 530 pm, midwife Heather came over to check on things, your mom was about 4 cm dilated and still in early labour. Heather left again and told us to call her when Alli felt like she needed her. We moved around the house a little but for the most part your mom found the perfect spot to labour, a little triangle in the corner of the living room and we got into a pattern for coping with the intense contractions. Your dad was amazing, he was right there for every one of them.
Once things started to get really moving, we called the midwife back and she arrived around 930 pm to check on your mom again. She was now at 6-7 cm dilated, was making great progress and still coping so well. We spent another couple of hours at the house before heading to the hospital at 1130 pm. We got settled into the birth room (#8, the same room I delivered my baby girl in, 20 years ago this month!) and after a couple of hours, Heather checked your mom again and she was at 8 cm.
I was in awe of your mom. Still taking it all in stride, one contraction at a time and totally focused on meeting you! The decision was made to rupture her membranes (break her water) in the hopes that it would speed things up a bit. Labour got even more intense and after a few more hours and no real progress in dilation, the decision was made to get your mom the epidural so she could get some relief and some rest. She was working so hard and really needed a bit of break so she could be ready for you when it was time to push.
The epidural went in at 430 am and by 5 am, your dad was having a little power nap and your mom was supposed to be resting but I think she was too excited to meet you. Everyone took a little break and by 7 am it was time to push. You were finally ready to make your way out!
Now, usually it takes someone a little bit of time to get the hang of the whole pushing thing, especially when they have had an epidural. Not your mom, we explained what she needed to do and how to do it and she pretty much had it all figured out from the very first push and just a few pushes later we could see your hair and and then few more pushes, at 7:26 am, out you came, right into your mama's waiting arms. It was incredible. Her strength and resilience was truly amazing.
Your dad was right there for her and for you the entire time, they make up an amazing team and you are so loved little one. It was an honor to be there, on your special day.
Welcome to the world sweet boy!! xoxo
Carter Reid Wilman
May 16, 2018
7lbs 7 oz
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