One year ago today Jack Henry Cibula was born. Here is the story of how he came into the world...It all started on his due date which was Friday, April 13th 2007. I woke up for the umpteenth time to go to the bathroom. It was becoming an hourly ritual at this point in the pregnancy. I dragged my HUGE belly down the hall (our master bathroom was still under renovation at the time) and took care of my business. Back to bed, or so I thought. As I walked back into our bedroom, I stood for a moment and stared at our bed. Clay was still snoozing happily away. But to me, that bed looked like an impossible mountain to climb. How could I go on like this. It took everything I had just to hoist myself in and out of there time and time again. I looked at the clock...5:31 am...too early to get up and start the day. So I stopped, and told God I just couldn't do it anymore...Jack was getting way too heavy. As I began to step up to try to get back in bed, God answered my prayers. My water broke right there in the bedroom at 5:32 am. And if anyone tries to tell you it's not "like the movies", they are lying. It was a never ending flood. Thank goodness I was at home! Looking back it was an amazing experience and the start to a wonderful blessing.
I gently woke Clay and told him the news. Being the nervous father to be, he flew out of bed, grabbed his stuff and hurried me on. I on the other hand wanted to take my time. I assured him we had a little while to get to the hospital and we could relax. Clay called Dr Taylor, who was on call, shared the news, and realized I was right about the time. I headed straight to the shower, knowing it could be my last for a while. After getting cleaned up and loading the car, we were ready to go. We packed Cosby and Lucy (she was still staying with us then) in the car and headed to Doggy Day School. We arrived to the school at 7:25 and I was still feeling fine...just minor contractions and a few nerves. I kissed the furry babies goodbye and reminded them of how much I loved them. Their whole world was about to change and they didn't even know it.
Finally off to the hospital! This soon to be Mommy was starving, so as gross as it is, I had Clay stop at McDonalds for an Egg McMuffin. I know, I know, I wasn't suppose to be eating so close to delivery. But, remember Jack was still in there and that meant I was still starving ALL THE TIME. Half way to the hospital I really started to feel the contractions. I tried to count, I tried to breathe, but all I could do was hold on to the bar above the car door window and squinch with pain. Of course, Clay took this as his free pass to drive like a maniac. In between contractions, I had to remind him to "take it easy".
Once arriving at the hospital, they immediately checked me in and sent me to a cozy room. Almost heaven, but not quite yet. The nurse examined me and I was dilated 3cm and still in major pain. One call to the anestician and one epidural later... I was in heaven. Clay made all of the necessary phone calls and by 12:45 my Mom and Grandma were there. When they came in I was in a complete state of relaxation...comfortable in my bed, no pain, 6cm dilated, and just waiting for my baby boy to show up. I was encouraged to rest, maybe take a snooze, but how was that possible? Luckily Dr. Carroll (my OBGYN) was now in for her shift, so she checked in on me regularly. Everything was going great.
By 5:20 pm, I was fully effaced and 10cm dilated. It was time for a baby! I followed all of Dr. Carroll's instructions and pushed my little heart out. I wanted this baby so badly. On every contraction I pushed and waited to hear the nurse and Dr. Carroll say we were making progress...but, nothing! Where is this baby, I thought? An hour later, Dr. Carroll instructed the nurse to stay by my side, have me push on every other contraction and she would be back in a few minutes to check the status. She then mentioned it may be time to go to Plan B. "Plan B?, What's that?" I asked. Please not the dreaded "C" word. But, yes, it was...she was referring to a C-Section. I begged to try for another hour, I reassured her I could get this baby out. She kept repeating, "this baby is too big and you are too little". Looking back I now know, she was only pacifying me by giving me some extra pushing time. Dr. Carroll knew Jack wasn't coming out without a fight. But, I had to keep trying in my own mind.
By 7:00pm, I had had enough. I was exhausted and in pain again...how could this be? The pain was so severe I felt tears welling up. The nurse tried to tell me it was just my exhaustion and the pressure. "No!", I repeated, "it really hurts!". Shortly after, Dr. Carroll arrived and we slowly made the transfer to the operating table. It was at that moment that she noticed my epidural had fallen out during the previous two hours of labor. See I knew I was in pain...a pain like none other. The entire way to the operating room, Dr. Carroll rubbed my head and gently soothed me. I feel so lucky to have had such a caring Dr by my side. I kept my eyes closed the whole way there and only opened them for a split second once entering the operating room. I remember seeing bright lights, metal everywhere, and lots of masked faces over me. The coziness of my delivery room was gone...I didn't open my eyes again until it was all over. After another epidural, we were finally ready to get Jack out. In what seemed like a split second, the c-section was over and my baby boy was finally in the same room as me as a separate person! I will never forget the sound of his cry. It was the most beautiful sound in the world. As I lay there with my eyes still closed, tears streamed down my face. At that moment, I knew my life would never be the same again.
I wanted to hold him, feel him, kiss him, but he had to be taken away to get checked out. I heard someone in the operating room say, "that's a big boy". Then I heard Dr.Carroll say, "7:47". That's all I knew, all that work and that's all the information I could get...he was big and he was born at 7:47 pm. They invited Clay to go with Jack to see his bath and measurements and I was wheeled away to a waiting room. The waiting seemed like an eternity. My Mom came back to see me and I drilled her with questions. She said he was beautiful, perfect, and with
his Daddy. Finally, Clay arrived with our baby boy in his arms. The most amazingly perfect baby boy I had ever seen. I greeted him, kissed him, and then immediately nursed. And with no problem, he contently ate and snuggled with me. It was instant love...a love like no other. I excitingly asked Clay, "how much does he weigh?". I wanted to hear at least 7 1/2lbs....there had to be some reason I couldn't deliver him earlier. Then Clay, answered "8lbs 14.7oz". Oh what relief, it wasn't my fault after all. Dr Carroll was right all along...he was too big and I was too little. Wow, almost 9lbs...I couldn't believe it! A huge, happy , healthy baby-all I could think was Clay and I are so blessed!
his Daddy. Finally, Clay arrived with our baby boy in his arms. The most amazingly perfect baby boy I had ever seen. I greeted him, kissed him, and then immediately nursed. And with no problem, he contently ate and snuggled with me. It was instant love...a love like no other. I excitingly asked Clay, "how much does he weigh?". I wanted to hear at least 7 1/2lbs....there had to be some reason I couldn't deliver him earlier. Then Clay, answered "8lbs 14.7oz". Oh what relief, it wasn't my fault after all. Dr Carroll was right all along...he was too big and I was too little. Wow, almost 9lbs...I couldn't believe it! A huge, happy , healthy baby-all I could think was Clay and I are so blessed! So, here we are, exactly one year later and not too much has changed. Jack is still huge, healthy, and happy and the greatest blessing of our lives.
Happy Birthday sweet baby Jack!
