Giddy Up...There is a New Cowboy in Town...Welcome Owen Matthew Mahoney!

Our First Mother's Day!

Before Labor

Cousins!

Proud Parents!

Owen Matthew Mahoney

Arrival: May 4, 2011 at 11:25 p.m.
Weight: 6 pounds, 3 ounces
Height: 20 1/2 inches

Our miracle has arrived and we are ecstatic. Owen is by far the best baby and we are VERY proud parents. We could not have asked for a better delivery. Everything was smooth for the most part, especially after the drugs were administered. At 3:20 Wednesday morning Matt and I were awakened by a phone call from the hospital. They said to come on down. So I took a shower, ate as much as I could, and we headed out the door. A pretty surreal moment knowing the next time you come home you will have a baby. The funny part was I drove myself to the hospital, figured it would be a while before I drove again. I was right...haven't driven since!

Once we got checked in I was given cervidel, which is a drug used to induce labor. Our encouraging (or should I say discouraging) nurse told us it could be Saturday before we delivered. We quickly figured out by lunch time that it would not be Saturday, but sometime in the next 24 hours. Contractions were happening frequently, but mom was still smiling. The nurses said if you can talk and smile through a contraction then you are not in "true" labor.

Well, come 3:00 p.m. I was not a happy camper! Let's just say I said a few choice words and was asking myself why I we ever decided to get pregnant. Typically, contractions should look like a bell shaped curve...not mine. They never descended! Contractions are measured on a scale from 0-12 and mine were consistently between 6 and 8, peaking to 11 and 12. I stood and swayed on the end of my bed, while Matt and my mom took turns massaging me. The hardest part was from 4:40 to 5:00 as I waited for Dr. Callahan to come see me. This man is AMAZING! He must have known by the look on my face that I was in PAIN! He checked me, said I was 100% effaced and dilated to a 2. Next thing I knew he broke my water...ouch! I think that was the worst part. Little did I know heaven was coming my way...ITN/Epidural!!! It was smooth sailing from there.

The "true" labor came later when I started vomiting...yay! The nurse checked me and said I was now dilated to a 6.5. Owen was just around the corner! As they monitored me for a few more hours, I tried to relax and get some sleep. But our little man had a better idea, he was ready to get out and he wanted to do it before Cinco de Mayo (and so did I)! I couldn't tell, but Matt said the nurse was watching the babies heart rate very closely and she decided it was time to call in the doctor. By the way, this is the same nurse that told us on her morning shift that I may be there until Saturday! WRONG!

We did a few practice pushes and the doctor arrived. About 20 minutes later we were blessed with the best gift God could ever give us...Owen. We are so incredibly in love with him. There are not enough words to describe the feelings we have had over the last week and a half. You couldn't possibly love anything more than the miracle you and your husband have created. With all this being said, I love Matt more now than I thought I could. He is a great dad and I am so proud he is Owen's daddy.

We are resting comfortably at home and trying to get as many naps in as possible. We couldn't ask for a better sleeping baby! The hard part is making yourself wake up to do midnight feedings. But when I look at Owen, it is all worth it. He is healthy and that is all we could ask for! As far as postpartum for Mommy...I am adjusting. I have relied a lot on my sister and friends for advice on nursing, feeding, pumping, changing diapers...!!! Thank you to everyone who has come by the house to visit Owen and for all of the great meals, which have been delivered! We appreciate it more than you know.