We made it to the other side!

(ok, I've started this blog 3 times.. we'll see if this time I actually get through it)

It's been a while now since I've posted, and I'm sure most of you understand! It's crazy that our lives are consumed by this little eight pound baby boy.. and we wouldn't have it any other way! So much as changed in the past week.. challenging, tiring but completely amazing. Even after a long night of waking up to feed little Leyton, we just have to look at his face and he's completely forgiven.

So, where to start.. ok, the story. I will explain briefly the story of how we came to meet sweet lil' Leyton. I am going to disperse pictures throughout.. more for my sake so that I can be reminded why anyone would go through such pain.. he was so worth it.

I started contracting at home at 10:30 at night on Thursday, March 4th. They were coming every 10 or 15 minutes and were more annoying than painful. But I knew we weren't going to sleep, I knew this baby was coming! At this point I thought for sure our little one would arrive on my birthday. Little did I know...

ok breaktime.

The contractions went through the night.. we were timing them and Luke was such a great help getting through them. I didn't realize how much they were going to hurt my lower back! pretty painful. We called the hospital about 6am to see what our next move was. The contractions were still 7-10 min apart so they suggested trying to sleep. I was surprised, but I actually did sleep for a couple hours. The next day, I was still working through the contractions. We went for a walk.. went to Panera.. watched movies, anything to get through it. It did seem like a long time, but I was glad to go through most of it at home. I don't like hospitals. break.

haha, that one's cute.

So... about 3 pm, we finally went into the hospital. They were closer together and realllly hurting. When we went in (soo nervous!), I was dialated to 5 cm.. good stuff! They hooked me up to the good drugs, the epidural and life was good. People came to visit, hang out, I was loving it. I didn't feel any contractions as well as anything from my waste down. Then came the tough part..

At this point, the nurses were impressed how well things were going. They thought for sure we'd meet our little babe by 8 or 9. wroooong. I started to push at about 7 pm. I couldn't really feel anything, which made it tough, not to mention the fact that Mr. Leyton decided to drop back down and not come out yet. So, I was sort of pushed for a while, then the real pushing started about 10:30. The good drug had worn off and I could feel everything. eek.

Then... he came!! At 12:38 am on Saturday, March 6th, we got to meet our little man. Luke told me that we had a boy and I was.. thrilled! I was also completely exhausted and totally drained, but so relieved. He was here! (Side note.. my mom and Luke were amazing to have in the room. seriously, so wonderful. I couldn't have done it without them.) They put Leyton on the warmer thing and did whatever they do. I would love to say that he was beautiful and perfect, but that wouldn't be quite true. Pretty swollen face and a good size cone head. :) But to have them lay my tiny son on my chest was incredible, nothing like it. ever.

Ok, so... apparently I had a fever when I was in labor, so I gave it to the little man. Sad! They have to treat it as an infection, so they kept him in the special care nursery for the following 72 hours. That was tough. But we were able to get a hard night sleep that first night, which was good. For the next couple days, Luke and I could go into the nursery to feed him and hang out when we wanted, but no one could hold him! Oh! My family is amazing! Ryan and Lisa surprised us by driving up from Des Moines that Friday night and the next day on Saturday, Chrissie and Nathan surprised us from Colorado!! I was soooo excited. That made it a bit hard because they couldn't hold the newest addition to the family. But they did get to look at him through a window, a bit zoo-like.

Overall, incredible experience. I take it back, Erin.. you can do it (someday, that is). And I'll do it again for sure, a few more times. To have such a gift in our little Leyton, it was so worth it.

Life is so good. Luke has been home for 2 weeks, and it is sooo fun to be with Leyton and spend time as a family! Life is simple. All we do is hang out with and take care of Leyton. He eats, sleeps, and cries and does it like a champ. Life is sure different! I'll be better at blogging (I think) and keep you posted on all the changes. It's all so wonderful and we're loving every minute of it!

THANK YOU to everyone who has been helping us. We are so grateful for the prayers, the support, the hospital visits.. the meals!! We are thankful for the company and the visitors, for our amazing family and friends. Thanks!

Here's some more pictures. enjoy.