Cameron James

June 10, 2011 Tom and I woke up very early.

Tom's mom came over to stay with our children while we headed to the hospital.
We stopped by the store to buy the newspaper so our baby could see what the headlines and stories were the day they were born.
We have done this for all of our children.
When we got to the hospital they took us to the same room we were in for Jacob. It was one of the old rooms. Tom mentioned getting one of the new rooms and our nurse looked to see if one was available. There was, so we moved to that one. It was a little nicer - definitely more comfortable seating for Tom.
Our nurse got me comfortable and she started the induction.
My doctor came in. He checked me and I was 4 cm. He broke my water.
It was kind of funny because Tom and I both had our phones out and we were both texting family and friends when my doctor walked in.
We actually texted a lot during this labor. It made the time go by faster and kept my mind from getting too nervous.
Tom even had a "joke" bet going on with his friend on what time our baby would be born. If his friend was correct, he would get to name our baby.
(Ocho Octavius - because this is our 8th child.)
Still, it's a nice nickname.
Anyways, labor was going slower than we were thinking it would.
After awhile with pain, I got an epidural. The Anesthesiologist was awesome. He was very kind and made me very comfortable.
Around lunch time my nurse checked me. I told her that I was starting to feel pain again. She had the Anesthesologist come back in. He adjusted the medication and it helped a little, but not completely.
It is very frustrating when you have been pain free and then all of a sudden you are right back to having pain.
I was checked and still sitting at 5 cm. I had been that way for quite awhile.
Tom was getting hungry for lunch, and the cafeteria was about to close. It was around 1:15. I told Tom he should go eat - our nurse and the Anesthesiologist told him he should go too. I was only 5 cm.
Tom went to the hospital cafeteria, the doctor left my room, then my nurse left telling me to call her if I needed anything. I was alone in my room when I had another contraction. This one hurt! I put my face into my pillow and cried - and breathed. I pushed my medication button. A couple of minutes later, another contraction. Again, I put my face in my pillow and cried. I pushed my nurse's button. I could barely talk when she answered. I told her I was in a lot of pain. She told me she'd be right in.
Then another contraction. This time my nurse came in while I had my face in my pillow. When she came up to me she saw the tears streaming down my cheeks and was surprised. All day we had been joking around, and all of a sudden I was in some serious pain and crying.
She told me she would call the Anesthesiologist again, but first wanted to check me. She did. Then she asked me when concern in her voice, "Did your husband take his phone with him?" I said, "Yes I think so."
She told me I was complete and I needed to call or text him to hurry back.
I texted Tom. (It is still on my phone.)
At 1:30 I texted Tom to come back to the room.
At 1:31 he texted that he was coming. In fact, he had just taken his first bite of the sandwich he had bought.
A couple of minutes later, Tom came in. He held my hand while I was crying through another contraction.
Soon I heard my other doctor's voice - there are 2 in the practice I go to.
Both had been in the OR together, this doctor was able to leave more easily.
I heard him tell me I could push - I did. Out came a little bald head. Another push and I heard Tom say, "It's a boy!"
It was 1:39.
Jacob had a little brother.
We named him Cameron James - aka CJ.