Braden's Birth Story

Hello everyone! It's been a while since my last post, but we've been pretty busy since Braden's arrival! For those of you who haven't heard his story ... here is the story of Braden's "Birth -Day!"

I woke up last Saturday morning, July 25th, 2009 around 7:30am with severe "period like" cramping and my lower back ached. I had cramping/back aches the last couple weeks, but not this bad. Shortly after eating breakfast the contractions started. They were uncomfortable and sparatic; anywhere from 4-9 minutes apart. This pattern continued throughout the day. It was a rainy day and we just hung out watching movies with Mason, waiting to see if the contractions would get closer together. Around 3:30pm I told Keith we should probably think about eating an early dinner because I think we may end up at the hospital sometime this evening. By that point contractions were consistantly around 5-6 minutes apart and getting a little more painful. So what do the Hollingsworths do?? Order a pizza! We ordered the pizza a little after 4pm. By the time Keith got back with the pizza my contractions were 3 minutes apart and painful. I had called the "on call" doc, Dr. Sayat, to make him aware of what was going on and that we would be headed to the hospital shortly. We inhaled our pizza (me in between contractions) and then headed to my parent's house to drop off Mason.

This was interesting in itself because my mom was already watching Colton and my dad had knee surgery the day before! And now we were dropping off Mason, plus I wanted my mom at the hospital for the birth! The plan was for us to get to the hospital and evaluate my status. My mom was putting Colton to bed at 8pm and then depending on our phone call would come to the hospital, and Grandpa (again who just had knee surgery), would take care of Mason and put him to bed! If you know my dad, you are cracking up at this whold scenario!

So we finally get to the hospital around 6:30pm. When the nurse checks me I'm close to 7cm dilated and 90% effaced! Holy cow I was not expecting that! She asked me if I wanted an epidural then. She told me once they broke my water and as strong as my contractions were, things should move rather quickly. Around 7:35pm we were settled in our room and I was getting my epidural. The nurse checked me at 7:45pm and said, "Oh, I better go call the doctor." He needed a 15 minute heads up to get to the hospital and I was dilated to 9cm! It was all moving so fast! Which don't get me wrong ... was very nice! I started thinking however that my mom wasn't going to make it to the hospital in time. Dr. Sayat arrived and checked me at 8:10pm and I was still at 9cm and 95% effaced. They had me lay on my left side so that Braden's head would settle against the cervix wall and thin it out. At 8:35pm my mom arrived! Yay! After being checked again I had to switch and lay on my right side to do the same thing. My mom said that was God's doing so that she was able to make it to the hospital in time. Around 9:15pm I felt the pressure and asked for the nurse. I was ready to push! I started getting nervous! With only a couple pushes Braden was born at 9:36pm. He weighed 7lbs. 10oz. and was 20 inches long, with a full head of hair! It was truely amazing! I had a wonderful pregnancy, an awesome and quick birth experience (at the hospital at 6:30pm and gave birth at 9:30pm, can't beat that).

Sending my "Status Updates"

Braden Lee Hollingsworth

7lb. 10oz. ~ 20in. long

This picture looks like my hospital picture!

The newest love of my life!

Aunt Nikki came to see us!

Mason ... taking it all in.

My boys!

Thank You Keith for the newest addition

to our family! Braden is such a treasure.

A Fall Weekend in July!

The weekdend started on Friday evening. After Keith left for work, my parents and I went down to Grove City's Town Square for their Weekend Concert Series. A band called "Eight Days A Week" was playing (a Beatles cover band), and my mom loves the Beatles! We listened to music and they had children's activities for the kids. It was such a beautiful night to be outside, we all really enjoyed it!

Mason and Grandma taking a walk.

And coming back.

Playing cornhole

Saturday we had a family picnic at my Great Uncle Ralph and Great Aunt Martha's house. They hold this event every July. They have a beautiful property with lots for the kiddies to do, and lots of good food! Last year it was 90+ and we were sweating sitting under a shade tree. This year we were wearing jeans and jackets ... what a difference a year makes!

Mason anxiously waiting to leave!

Mason playing with another "Mason."

Mason was literally on this trampoline the entire

day. I'm surprised he could walk when he was finished

because I thought his legs would be jello!

Colt Bug!

Keith playing cornhole.

My husband striking a pose for the camera!

38 weeks ~ 2 weeks left

Is this baby ever going to want to come out!?

What Have We Been Up To ... ?

Where have the Hollingsworth's been!? It's been a little crazy around our house to say the least ... very busy!

Yesterday my mom and I took Mason and Colton to Maya's Birthday party at The Little Gym. They both had so much fun, such a neat idea! Thanks Jennifer (Maya's mommy) for inviting us! From simply running on the mats, to rolling on a wheel, popping bubbles, jumping on an inflatable mat, hanging upside down on the high bar, to doing a flip on the rings, Mason was simply in heaven!

Colton had fun just being Colton!

Like my brother, he's the life of the party.

Mason & Maya

Ready for treats!

Maya the Birthday Girl!

Look out Daren Lynch! It's Mason Hollingsworth!

We have been so busy lately, feverishly anticipating Braden's arrival. Every morning I wake up thinking ... will it be today? I seriously clean my house every day! I think it is more than "nesting" at this point. I may need to go OCD Annonymous or something!

37 weeks ~ 3 weeks to go!
3 cm dilated and 70% effaced

At my 36 week check up, which was Wednesday 7.8.09, I found out I was dilated to 2cm and 70% effaced! That was good news. We discussed what to do if I go into labor, etc.

The NEXT morning on Thursday I woke up having contractions every 5 minutes, they were not painful, but nonetheless they were occurring. After about 2 hours of tracking this I called my doctor's office. They wanted to bring me in to monitor the contractions and check me again. Keith and I packed the car ... just in case, took Mason to Aunt Teri's house, and left my mom a message at work. We were at the doctor's office from 11:30am - 2pm having my contractions monitored. They continued consistantly and were getting stronger. The nurse checked me and I was then dilated to 3cm and still 70% effaced, but I went from 2cm - 3cm in an hour. I was then sent to the hospital.

Could Braden be on his way? I was excited on the way to the hospital. However, once we arrived at the hospital and I was placed in a triage room, in that horrible gown and that little bed, it all sunk in and I got really scared. I was nervous about having another baby, it was all so sudden, and he would be very early. Well, after being watched for an additional hour and a half at the hospital, my contractions slowed down and when they checked me I was unchanged. We were sent home that evening ... FALSE LABOR!

At Work ~ 36 weeks (9 months)

Braden's Room is DONE!

Finally! I've been stressing about this for a while. With four weeks left until my official due date, Braden's room is complete! I can now breathe a sigh of relief. Here are some quick shots we took tonight...

All Done!

And a special Thank You to his big

brother Mason for all the clothes, blankets and toys!