Brynlee's Birth Story

Wednesday, December 8th:
 40 weeks pregnant exactly- as of Monday I had not made any more progress towards having our baby! James decided to come home around lunch to just hang out for the afternoon. So we headed off to lunch. While eating I started having mild contractions that were anywhere from 5-7 minutes apart. These continued throughout the afternoon. Sometime around five, they started getting more regular at five minutes and a little more intense. Even though they still didn't hurt that bad, we decided to go to the hospital just to check things out.

We arrive at the hospital at 6:30. The nurse checks everything and hooks me up to the monitor to watch contractions for an hour. After an hour I was still dilated the same as when we came in {4cm}. Since we only live two miles from the hospital the doctor said we could go home- but the nurse told us we would be back that night {her guess was around midnight}.

Leaving for the hospital the first time.

So we leave the hospital and immediately the contractions are much more intense and closer together. By the time we got home at 9:00, I could not talk through the contractions and the pain had at least doubled. I tried to relax like the nurse said to, but that wasn't happening. So at about 10:30 we headed back to the hospital.

Once again the nurse checked everything and I was now 5cm dilated- so we were staying. We moved rooms and an hour later had progressed to 7cm dilated. The nurse called the anesthesiologist {who was 35 minutes away in South Tulsa} hoping he would get there in time. {They did give me "pain" medicine in the meantime. It didn't really take away any pain but allowed me to at least breath through the contractions.} Within the next hour I was 9 cm dilated. The anesthesiologist arrived to give me the epidural- which let me say, was not nearly as scary as I had imagined, and was even more wonderful than I had imagined.

Apparently I kept the room super cold- James decided to warm up while waiting for Brynlee

Just hanging- post epidural!

Although labor had been moving along very quickly, at this point everything kind of changed. Sometime in between being checked the previous time and getting the epidural, Brynlee had flipped and was now face up. Since this happened, she basically stopped making any more progress. So now we were waiting.

The nurses had me do a couple of things to try to get her to flip or at least labor down so that I could still push her out. So this whole time we had the on-call doctor. By this time, it was about 4:00 in the morning. The doctor was scheduled to have his own surgery that morning at 7:00, so he had to leave. This meant he could call my doctor in for the actual delivery! I was pretty excited to hear this... the whole time I was pretty nervous about not being able to deliver with my doctor. So yea. By 5:30 the nurses and my doctor felt like Brynlee was finally in the position that I could push. So I did- and Brynlee was born at 5:59 A.M. December 9th.

first family photo

I can't say enough about the nurses that we had. One nurse was even the mom of one of our good friends from church. They were all wonderful and really worked for us. {Later we found out that the had the on-call doctor stayed through the morning, he probably would have made us do a C-section} Overall, it really was a good experience!

Brynlee

She has arrived...

Brynlee Anne Summers was born at 5:59 A.M. Thursday, December 9th. 

And of course she is perfect and amazing- currently taking a small nap in her swing!

There is much more to come about her birth and arrival, but for now a few pictures...

There is plenty more to come... later!

still no baby...

So we went to the doctor again today. Everything is the same as last week- nothing has changed. I have to say, I was pretty surprised. I thought she would be here already. Oh well, she will come when she is good and ready! 

Last week a friend of mine took some pictures for us! They are super awesome... aside from me looking giant! Anyways- she is really talented and took a half hour and did some awesome work. SO here are a few of my favorites! Thanks Trisha!!

28 years later...

28 years ago the most amazing man was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma- James Thomas Summers. You were special from the beginning. Not only were you made in God's image, but you were made to bring glory to him, something you have taken joy in doing for 28 years.

There are many things you loved growing up {most of which you still}. Let's be honest, anything that has to do with fixing things or getting dirty! You were all boy growing up and are still a kid in many ways. You enjoy taking risks and give everything 120%.

7 years ago, God brought you into my life. Little did we know that riding in the same van to Colorado would turn into so much. Of course, it took a while- which was good since I was 17! Plus I thought you were old and so had no interest in anything more than a friendship!

But over the course of the next year- things changed for both of us! After getting to know you over the course of that year and the next 6 years here is what I have learned about you-

1. You love God with all of your heart and desire to live your life for him- following His plan for your life

2. You love me... more than I could ever ask someone too- and let's be honest we all know I have changed quite a bit in the last 6 years and you choose to grow and change with me and continue to love me

3. You relish your role as a husband- being the head of the house. You take this job seriously and truly understand that in order for our marriage to be successful, God is at the center of everything- and our family is ultimately your responsibility

4. You are SO excited to become a dad. I have no doubt that you will be AMAZING

5. After God, me, our family... comes our immediate and extended family. You love being around people- especially our siblings, parents, and nieces and nephews!

6. You love all kids and desire for each one of them to know Jesus and experience God's love in their life- you truly LOVE what you do each day! 

7. You love working outside or fixing things. Even on your day off, you choose to work!

8. You are one of the most understanding people I have ever met {this only being exemplified through my constant schooling and now pregnancy... I have always had your support in doing whatever I need to do!}

9. You are slowly but surely turning into a sports fan. While my family would wish it wasn't because of OU- we all love that you now enjoy watching football and sometimes basketball!

10. Everything you do and who you are brings glory to God each day!

I am beyond blessed to have you in my life! Happy birthday! I love you more today than I did yesterday!

39 Weeks

So we have made it another week. I honestly did not think I would still be pregnant come December. Not that I am miserable or anything- I just thought she would have come by now. Of course now that it is December James is officially wanting her here! In fact, last night we went on a walk {in 35 degree weather} to try to move things along. He may even be coming home for a bit today to walk with me again! 

Oh and did I mention today is his birthday?? There's the other reason! Originally I really did not want her to be born on her birthday. I think because birthday's were such a big deal for us growing up, I want everyone to have their OWN day. However, I may have changed my mind. Considering she will be born in the next ten days for sure... they might as well have the same birthday {better than one or two days apart, in which they would be celebrating with other family at the same time anyways!}

We did see the doctor on Monday. She is back in town and not going anywhere! So as of Monday I was 3 cm dilated... which is more than last time. I have to admit that at that point I was really wishing things were further along. All in all everything was good. 

How Far Along: 39 Weeks
Size of baby: mini watermelon {almost as creepy as the time the baby was the size of a small dog}
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +42 {ish}

Maternity Clothes: basically I wear sweats or maternity tights everyday! I have finally given in to the full panel jeans... blah. I don't like them, but it is nice to be able to wear jeans again!
Gender: Girl
Movement: Constantly

Sleep: still sleeping pretty good

What I miss:  laying on my stomach, exercising, having clothes to wear...
Cravings: still apples... also I basically put cool whip on lots of new things
Best Moment This Week:  James' birthday today!