Happy First Birthday Gavin!

After about 8 hours of actual labor, and one false trip to the hospital the previous day, Gavin Michael Toso was born at 12:35 a.m. 6 lbs. 9 oz. and 21.5 inches long.

On Friday, April 16th we hung out a bit with Grandma and Grandpa in the hospital. Once they left, daddy and I hung out and talked about what you would look like, how Easton would be when he saw you and at what time we thought you'd come. I can remember around 7:30 or so, the doctor came in and broke my water. Things progressed pretty fast from there. At around 11:30 the nurses began to set up for the doctor, and I couldn't control the excitement I felt. It was overwhelming. I could read it on daddy's face too! You were our first baby to be delivered this way! The doctor came in at 12:00 and by 12:35 you were out and in my arms! The feeling that I had from the delivery, the accomplishment that was made, and not only the fact that you were here, brought tears. I whispered in your ear, "Even though your entrance into this world might not have been as exciting and emergency like as your brothers, your birth was special for it's own reasons". (little did I know what your body had in store for us!)
The next morning, daddy came back with flowers and a scared big brother. Easton didn't know what to expect. I remember him peaking from behind the curtain and running back to the door. It took a little coaxing, but he finally came in. We could tell he was in awe of this little thing. He looked at your toes, your hands and touched your cheek like daddy does to his boys, and smiled up at me. He was proud and accepted God's gift. Then he asked where his present was.

Our doctors told us you had a murmur, but not to worry, because a lot of babies are born with one. We will never believe that statement again:)
Happy birthday little bug! I can't wait for you to show us all that you can be!

Part 2 of 3!

I started today, one year ago, waking with a little bit of sadness. Labor hadn't progressed and my contractions weren't getting closer. It didn't look like you were ready. The nurses throughout the night would come in and tell me what a wonderful strong person I was for attempting this VBAC with you and to not give up. Some even woke me to talk with me about my VBAC decision and how excited they were to be apart of it.....felt a little like a celebrity....(tired and wishing for some rest:)) Sometime in the early morning, our doctor came in and said, "Well kid, nothings happening. What are we gonna do about this?" He had been pushing c-section the whole pregnancy. I told him that we were going to go home and wait this out. He wasn't to happy, and told me I was stubborn like my mother(he was the doctor who delivered me). We were signed out shortly thereafter, and I said I would not be returning until it was absolutely necessary. I was starving!! I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast the previous day, and for me, that's a big deal. I called grandma and grandpa and had them bring Easton to meet daddy and I at Crispy Waffle, where I think I ate enough for 4 grown men! My contractions continued, but a good five to 10 min apart. After getting home, they slowing gained intensity. I remember thinking, "Wow. These aren't like the ones I had yesterday". Daddy was washing the car and Easton and mommy were playing with the neighbor girls and their mommy. It was a beautiful day. Around 1:00, (and after I ate a good lunch!) I told daddy I could NOT go any longer. We got some things together and left Easton with the neighbors. I was finally experiencing real labor pains, and regretted saying, "bring it on" the previous day. I didn't want what was brought! The nurses at the hospital got a kick out of me returning and remembered me as the speed walker. They said they could tell I was more in labor today than yesterday. By 3:00 we were progressing and things were looking hopeful! (to be continued)

How I've Changed!

Remembering the Past Year

Daddy text me this afternoon and asked if I remembered where I was at that particular time one year ago today. I had to laugh, because there is no way of forgetting those memories. I started the day today with a picture with my best friend Bridget. I remember telling her that something felt different today and I thought I was going to go into labor. I was so excited and spent the day at school with a big smile on my face! At my 1:00 doctors appointment, the doctor said that I was having contractions and that I needed to head to the hospital soon, because they were pretty close together. I didn't feel much, and I thought these contractions were a piece of cake! I came home and gave daddy the news, and he was stunned and a silly smile came across his face. He was just as excited to meet his boy as mommy. At the hospital I was hooked up to machines and monitored. Unfortunately, the contractions slowed and my labor stopped progressing. I walked the halls all night trying to get them back, but you weren't ready. Thursday morning I asked to go home. I was starving! Grandma and Grandpa brought Easton to meet daddy and I at Crispy Waffle where I think I ate enough for four grown men! .....to be continued:)

Our Little Helper