Baby Blackham is Born!

I laughed when I got on our blog and the baby counter said "5 Days to Delivery!" Our little boy made his debut on Monday, March 15th, a few days ahead of schedule. I think he was trying to spite his mom, who is chronically behind schedule, or else wanting to be here for March Madness and some good Cougar basketball (which we are a little overdue for). We are so happy to have him here and healthy. After much debate and discussion, we have named him Carson Scott Blackham. I never imagined it could be so great to have a child. Don't get me wrong...it was definitely not all fun, but he is such a miracle. He is so perfect and so cute, and I don't think we could love him any more than we do.

For those inquiring minds who want to know the details, keep reading. For those who don't, just scroll down. I have certainly heard my fill of labor stories in the last several months, and I don't blame you if you skip mine. Last week I kept having thoughts of getting a few things ready JUST IN CASE our baby was born early. I didn't heed those too well, thinking I would have Spring Break to finish up those things I wanted to do. I had been having contractions on and off for several days, but I wasn't too concerned. Well, Sunday morning I woke up thinking that my water had broken - two days after I reassured my students that my water wouldn't break in class and that people's water doesn't really break that often until they are IN labor and at the hospital. Apparently I don't really know what I'm talking about, and that became quite apparent.

I pulled Sam out of a meeting to take me to the hospital. Five hours later, they couldn't confirm that I was in labor or that my water had broken. They sent us home. We came home and ate dinner, and contractions kept getting closer together. After two hours of 4 minute apart contractions we went back to the hospital. They sent us home again, and I'll admit that I wanted to pop off the nurse's head. She was nice, but not too sympathetic or reassuring. Apparently I was supposed to wait until contractions were 2-3 minutes apart - not what the doctor had told me, by the way. And she said I was ONLY in early labor. Lucky for her, I did not pop her head off, just cried a lot and came home.

They gave me Ambien to sleep the rest of the night before sending me home. I heard this little voice screaming in my head that maybe I shouldn't take the little pill, but I did. It was a horrible night, and maybe worse for my husband. I started hallucinating - apparently I thought I was Alice in Wonderland - and I got really sick. Then the REAL contractions started, and amidst all of this my dear husband tried to reason with me. He wasn't sure I could handle the hospital sending me home again, so he tried to make absolutely sure I was ready to go. I decided to tough it out for as long as I could. It was a long, sleepless night, and finally we went to the hospital at around 7 on Monday morning. Hallelujuah! The mean nurse was gone and the nice nurse was there. She didn't waste any time. I was dilated to a 7, and they got me an epidural right away.

I can honestly say I have never been more ready for a shot to the spine. I swiftly went to sleep, and after some much-needed rest, I was ready to have a baby. My mom and dad had driven down from Eagar and had arrived by this time, and my sister had come to the hospital. It seemed that we waited for quite awhile for the doctor to get finished with a c-section, but by the time the doc was ready, so was baby Carson! It didn't take too long at all to get him here. He came fast, and he was pretty healthy - despite a few potential complications.

I don't think I'll every forget the feelings I had when I saw our little baby boy for the first time. It's really unbelievable that we can bring little spirits into this world. They are so perfect and innocent. I am so thankful for the plan of salvation and for families. Sam has been a rock through it all too. I couldn't ask for a more supportive, loving, and helpful husband. He's already turning out to be a great dad, and it's pretty awesome to see him taking care of our little guy. It was also nice to have other family members there, and I am especially indebted to my mom for becoming our live-in nurse/maid/cook for a few days. I have a much greater appreciation for what she went through (without an epidural!) and I am so grateful for her help and support.