My Story

This whole pregnancy, labor, delivery, and recovery has been easier than I imagined. I feel blessed.

On Tuesday, our 3rd anniversary, my school choir went to perform at Abravenal Hall. The other teachers and I joked that I just had to make it through the performance, then I could go to the hospital. Throughout the night, I imagined getting up on the stage and having my water break, having strong contractions, or something dreadfully embarrassing. Thankfully, the evening passed uneventfully. We got home around 10:30, had a little anniversary celebration, and went to bed.

Then, at 3 am, I woke up. I had a strong feeling that I was going into labor. I had some contractions that made me feel sick to my stomach, and I got onto the computer to do lesson plans for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. They were, by far, the least organized plans I have ever done. I didn't have any of my teacher manuals with me. Oh well. So, at around 7:30, Brian and I drove to school to take the plans and to prepare a few things for my class. My contractions had settled down a little, but I still had one here and there.

As we left school, I was a mess. I didn't feel ready to leave my students, and I kept seeing other teachers who just thought I decided to be done teaching because I wanted to. I was crying and worried, and an overall mess.

We went to the hospital, and Brian took me up to my doctor's office. I had planned on checking into labor and delivery, but Brian thought it would be better just to talk to my doctor first. What a smart, calm husband I have! The nurse checked me and said that I wasn't in labor and that I should go home.

I cried on the way home. But, I realized that I would be able to go back to school and finish preparing some things that hadn't been done. This helped me feel better. Brian also gave me a blessing that helped me calm down and helped my mind to focus. I felt renewed and strengthened.

Brian and I both went back to work. I let my substitute keep teaching while I worked on some neglected tasks. Then, I spent the last hour and a half with my class. I am so grateful for this last time. It helped me be prepared emotionally to be gone from them. After school, I kept working for a little while. I felt contractions throughout the day, but they were weak and maybe once an hour--nothing to be concerned about. At 4:10, I had one strong contraction that made me decide to go home and rest. So I finished up a few more things. By 4:30, I was having contractions about every 5 minutes and I finally got out the door.

Driving home was interesting. I am glad for my lamaze class. I got home and lay in bed, and the contractions were getting stronger and closer together. Brian got home at about 6 or 6:15, and we were in the car by 6:30.

We went straight to the labor and delivery unit this time. They made me sign all these papers. I felt like telling them, "I am having CONTRACTIONS and they HURT! Don't make me tell you what my phone number is! I don't know what this part about the pediatrician means! Can't you see I'm shaking?!" Finally, they let us go to a triage room, where I had to put on this gown that had all these snaps and ties. I couldn't figure it out and I was freezing and shaking. The nurse came back and hooked me up to fetal monitors. She also brought a warm blanket. That helped me relax quite a bit, but I was still shaking.

She said that I had to wait an hour before they would check me again so that they knew I was really in labor. Brian read to me and helped me relax during the contractions, which were shorter but just as intense. Then the nurse came back and said that an epidural would help my labor move more quickly. I was so tense that it was working against the contractions. I hadn't planned on getting an epidural so soon, but I'm so glad I did. I immediately stopped shaking and was able to relax. This was all around 7:45 or 8:00.

For the next 6 hours, Brian and I dozed in and out of sleep. At midnight, I had only dilated to 4 cm, but by 1:30, I was at 9 cm. I pushed for just under and hour, and our sweet Camden was born at 2:56 am!

After he was born, I started shaking again. I couldn't stop. It was terrible. Brian had to take the baby because I was just shaking so hard. After a long time, the nurse put Camden back in my arms, and my shaking stopped immediately. It was like a miracle to me.

Well, I could go on and on about the hospital (I had wonderful nurses the whole time.), but I just want to say how blessed I am to have my sweet husband and our new little Camden. Heavenly Father has truly blessed me, and I want to do all I can to take care of all He has given me.

Happy Mothers' Day

For all of you mothers out there, I want to say happy Mothers' Day.  It just so happens that our best Mothers' Day picture is also one of our best eyes-open picture.  The outfit really is too big, but we couldn't resist making Camden Mommy's Hero since he came just in time to be here for Mothers' Day.

For Mothers' Day our ward gives all of the women the day off, which meant I was playing the piano for primary and the organ for sacrament meeting.  I was excited to see Camden when I got home. 

I guess part of being a parent involves torturing your baby to get cute pictures.  Camden really isn't a fan of that red light that shines in his face before the picture.  He pulled his head back and put on his worried look as soon as I took the picture.

Now, a tribute to my wonderful wife on her first official Mothers' Day as a mom.  Seeing Camden born into this world was truly an amazing experience.  Michelle is so strong and loving.  She worked so hard to make sure Camden would be a healthy baby, and she truly performed a miracle.  I feel humbled to be a husband to such an amazing woman.  Her compassion sets her apart as an elect lady.  She loves to see people succeed, and she always tries to see people from the best perspective she can.  Often when I complain about others' actions or decisions, she reminds me that we don't know the circumstances leading up to their choices and gives them the benefit of the doubt.  She loves the gospel and has great insights to help me learn and grow.  She loves me and takes care of me.  At times things have been hard as I've gone through my first year of my MBA, but she is always so understanding and helpful even though she has a full load with lesson plans, grading, and other things.  She loves our baby so much and really takes care of him.  She is patient when he cries and helps him get what he needs.  Even in the few short days Camden has been alive, I've been able to see her love for him grow each day. I know, with her love, compassion, patience, and strength that she will be an excellent mother for Camden and any future children we have.  In short, Camden is the luckiest baby ever to be born to such a loving mother.

Thank you, Michelle, for your example and love.  I love you! Happy Mothers' Day!

Baby Camden

I think I'll wait for Michelle to help me with all the text of this post, but I finally went home and got the connector cable for my camera.  Here are some pictures of ou new baby, Camden.

Michelle cuddling with our little sleepy-head.  He finally decided it would be a good idea to wake up and eat.  He had a hard time figuring it out and then promptly went back to sleep.

Grandma Wilkinson holding her first grandbaby's hand.

Aunt Heather might have tried to take him with her if she thought there was any possible chance of doing so.

Here's a funny face, but it's a good shot of his golden-brown hair.