Matthew's Birth Story

After seeing my due date become ancient history by a whole week this little baby finally decided he was ready to face this crazy world. It was good he didn't come on his due date as that is our anniversary. Kind of glad he didn't have to share with us. I walked and walked and walked and ran stairs and tried standing on my head to induce labor, but to no avail. We finally tried playing laser tag and almost made it had the lady in charge not noticed my belly. I guess pregnant ladies playing laser tag in the dark is not the best idea. I was just going to stand in a corner and shoot as the people went by, promise. It turned into a funny story and we played air hockey and whack a mole instead. Guess baby decided we'd had enough waiting because the next day contractions started. I've never been so happy to feel pain. I curled my hair, put make up on, washed walls, mopped the floor, vacuumed, and most importantly ate lunch. By dinnertime the contractions were really starting to not feel so great. I hardly ate anything. Then I put my boys to bed and we watched a movie. Mostly, my mom and Chris watched a movie while I pretended to sleep in between crawling around on my hands and knees during contractions. I'm not sure how close they were but I'm told it was about 6-8 min by this time. I finally decided that they weren't going to go away and started gathering the last minute things while we finished the movie. I had a moment of tears and slight panic at the pain and the fact that life as I knew it would be changing again and that I wasn't sure I was ready for that. Thank goodness for my mom who helped me keep it together. We finished the movie and we got in the car and drove the hospital. I had about 3 contractions on the way. We were laughing in between and I moseyed up to the baby center in between leaning on a wall during a contraction. We got there around 10:30 PM. As I was waiting in the triage room Chris mentioned that if I was a 4 that would be good. Set our sights low and then there's no room for disappointment. I was pretty sure I was way past a 4 because they really hurt, but I went along with his theory. My favorite words the triage nurse said were, "goodness gracious!" I was about a 7/8! Yahoo!! She called Judy, the midwife, and I walked to the labor/delivery room. I was GBS positive so I had to get antibiotics. I got strapped into the monitor and sat on the bed squeezing Chris' hand til it was purple while he counted for me to sync my breathing with. He truly was amazing and I couldn't have done it without him!! We filled out paperwork, joked with the nurses, and labored on. I'm pretty sure I threw up in here somewhere as well. If Chris weren't there I'm pretty sure I would have thrown up all over myself. Then the baby kicked so hard during a contraction that he broke my water. Judy checked me again and I was a 9. I really wanted to get in the shower, but we never got that far. I went to the bathroom with strict orders to not push on the toilet. Haha! I then stood by the bed, leaned over an exercise ball, about broke Chris' hand again during contractions until I was ready to be done. I laid down on the bed, pushed a few times, wanted to cry because it hurt so bad, but was so so so happy it did hurt because it meant I was almost done. He came at 12:46 AM. Judy put him right on my chest as soon as he came out. He was slimy, purple and absolutely beautiful! Chris cut the cord after a while. Then I asked for drugs, because my goodness why should a lady have to hurt anymore once the kid is out! Those after pains are not the most delightful thing I've ever felt. I was having a hard time relaxing and enjoying the moment. I asked for just a tylenol or something. The nurse, Denise (who was really awesome!) said, "sweetie, we can give you something in your IV if you'd like. It will work faster." Me: "Ok, but just a little." I think I even held up my fingers to show just a little. Haha! Those drugs were fabulous! I just wanted to sleep, but I was finally able to relax a little and enjoy watching my husband fall in love with another little boy and feel the glimpse of Heaven that was surrounding us. I am so grateful I was able to have a natural birth and that I have a healthy, happy baby boy. During every contraction I kept telling myself, "I can do hard things and this can't last for forever." I didn't tear (thank goodness) and in the words of my sweet husband, "it was a picture perfect birth." 

Nothing like having a baby to remind you that there is always more room for love in your heart.

We decided to take a picture right before we walked in. 

I love this. 

When the boys came, they kept calling him Noah because that's the name we've been talking about for so long, but it just wasn't fitting. Nothing was really fitting actually. We talked and prayed and prayed and talked to know what we should name this adorable baby. We finally decided on Matthew Lee Bench. Then we sort of cringed whenever we heard anyone call him that. I even asked if I could change his name even though I'd signed the birth certificate. What finally won us over to his name was when I got home and little Seth said, "baby Mattchew." He's still called Noah sometimes, but oh well. Matthew shares a name with a cousin of mine and we think he's a pretty great guy. I hope he's ok sharing his name. 

He was so sweet with his new brother. He probably kisses Matthew 6 or 7 times a day and loves it when Matthew looks at him. 

James couldn't wait to hold his new baby. He has been the best helper and he always wants to hold his new brother. When people come over, James tells them all about his new brother. Actually, anyone who will listen gets told about our new baby. It's absolutely adorable. 

On our way home from the hospital. I had pants for him but decided that it was too much work to put them on him. And too hot. Sorry kid.

Sometimes, I'm watching the clock, wishing it went faster and other times I think, "someone pinch me because this feels like a dream." Truly life is about enjoying those moments that matter most.