Max is 5

I know I've been talking a lot about Max lately, but there sure is a lot to say. This is one great kid and we are so glad he is ours.

Today is Maxwell Paul's 5th birthday and he couldn't be more ready. He has been waiting for more than a year to be 5. Maybe that's why he now tries to tell everyone he is six. He has grown up so much this past year and continues to amaze me with his awareness of people and circumstances around him. He is more than ready to start kindergarten in the fall.

I decided that since I related Nora's birth story in her birthday post last year that I might take the time this year to document the other kids birth stories.
Max was due on March 1st, but after being VERY late with Jack I was ready to wait. I had an appointment on the morning of March 2nd and told the midwife that he better be born 'today' or wait for two days. My birthday is the 3rd (tomorrow) and I figured no kid wants to share their birthday with their Mom. So, if I could help it I was going to try to hold out. The midwife checked me and said that I was more than ready to have this baby and that he could come anytime. We decided to strip the membranes and see if he would come that day.

By the time I was in the car to go home I knew he was on his way. I was in the middle of my Masters program at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse at the time and still had access to the Campus child care center where Ella and Jack would go when I was in class. I quickly picked up Ella and Jack from the campus child center where they were playing and ran home to get them lunch. Since this was kid #3 I didn't feel the need to hurry to the hospital and/or panic in any way. I was more concerned that Ella and Jack got their naps. Yes...I am the nap nazi.
Ella and Jack pretending there are babies in their tummies like me!

After getting them home and in bed I called my friend Adri to see if I could drop the kids off at her house after they woke up from their nap. I told her I was pretty sure I was in labor, but didn't want to hang at the hospital longer than needed. I knew I was going to have the baby naturally and would rather get some things done at home that have to wait in a cold hospital room.

Once the kids woke up I called Adri back to make sure she had already gotten home from picking up her kids at the bus stop. She told me that she felt better about coming to pick me up because she didn't want me to suddenly go into hard labor while driving the kids to her house. So, she came and got us at about 4:00pm. She dropped me off at the hospital and took the kids to her house. Paul was at the hospital because that's where he works. I'm a very non-drama person, so I figured I'd just page him when I got there...no need to trouble him before he is needed.
They checked me into the hospital at 4:15pm and they wheeled me up to the delivery room. I hate that by the way...I'm perfectly able to walk, but once you sign that paper they are responsible...and they wouldn't let me...grrrrr. Anyway, I got up to the room, they hook up the monitor and check me out. I was dilated to a 7 and the midwife went to check to see if the birthing tub was available. Yes, I wanted to do a water birth. I was so excited and ready for that. Of course, the hospital only has two. One was being used, and the other was in a room where they were re-doing the floors. That meant no water for me. I was disappointed. So, they let me just sit in the tub in the room I was in until it was time to deliver.

As the midwife was checking on the tub I paged Paul. He was in a surgery, so one of the O.R. nurses called me back to see what I needed. I told her what was going on and told her to have him come up to the 5th floor. 20 minutes later I was at 9 centimeters and the midwife wanted to break my water. I knew what that would mean...when my water breaks that means a baby is coming right away. I told her not to break it until Paul got there. So...I paged him again. The nurse called again and told me that Paul said he would probably be done with the surgery in 20 minutes or so. It was at this point that I got a little demanding. I told her that this baby would be here by then and she better get him up here ASAP!! Luckily, Paul was only assisting another Dr. and wasn't the primary surgeon. So, I guess she went into the room and whispered to him. The other Dr. looked up and said, "is your wife in labor?" Paul hadn't told him because he never wants to inconvenience people. When he admitted that I was, the other Dr. said, "well, what are you doing here? GO!" Typical Paul...
Paul, Max, and the pager.

Paul arrived a few minutes later and got nervous when he realized that I wouldn't be delivering in the water. He never liked the idea of it anyway, but he knew that's what I had planned on and that the water calms me. He kept asking me if I really wanted to do it without drugs, and was more nervous about it than I was. It was funny...even then...at that moment...it made me laugh. I was fine with it and new it would be okay.
The midwife broke the water and sure enough, minutes later, at about 5:30pm, our little Maxwell Paul was born at a whopping 9 lbs 10 oz. I knew he was going to be big. Jack was a 10 pounder as well, and I felt huge. It was the greatest experience and even now I get a little emotional thinking I may never give birth to another child. I'm one of those weirdo's that loves the giving birth process...even naturally. I can do without the pregnancy thing, but the birthing experience is amazing.
After enjoying the baby for an hour or so Paul left to go pick up the kids at the Ruby's house and get them dinner and to bed. I felt it a personal victory to have only inconvenienced them for 2 1/2 hours while I had a baby. I, like Paul, hate inconveniencing people...but love to be inconvenienced to help people out...go figure! Luckily, Grammy (my Mom) was able to come out to help on the very day I came home from the hospital. It was great.
Our family has been so blessed by having Max in it. I feel so humbled and grateful to be his mother. I can't wait to see what the future hold for this wonderful boy.
WE LOVE YOU MAX!!!