BABY BOY PAGEL ARRIVED on June 3rd at 9:28 AM! Here is his birth story that I wrote for our family scrapbook:
My desire from the start was to have a VBAC with Sterling. I
truly believed that I would go into labor easily and be given the chance to
attempt the VBAC. I knew the odds of a repeat c-section were still high, even
if I did get to try, but I still wanted to be able to attempt a natural birth.
However, God had different plans for us. Despite doing everything possible to
naturally induce labor, nothing worked. I even post-poned my c-section from
June 1st to June 3rd, hoping the extra couple days would
give me a better chance of going into labor. Matt and I had prayed from the
beginning of the pregnancy for God’s protection over baby’s delivery, whether
c-section or VBAC. Both have their risks. I prayed that whatever we faced, we
would have a peace about it and see it as God’s answer to our months of prayer.
So when June 3rd came, we saw it as God closing the door to our
VBAC.
The night of June 2nd, I barely slept. I was so
nervous and excited—nervous for the c-section, but excited to meet Sterling. I
got out of bed at 5:00 AM and showered, curled my hair, and did my make-up. I
figured if I was going to be in the hospital recovering for a few days, I might
as well have my hair done. Kerry came over to watch Jace at 6:30 so we could
head to the hospital. We got there at 7, and once we were checked in, we were
sent to triage where I was hooked up to a couple IVs, signed consent forms, and
waited for the 9:00 hour to come when our c-section was scheduled for. Once it
arrived, and all of the doctors were there (3 doctors who worked on me, 2
anesthesiologists, and 2 nurses for the baby), I was taken to the OR where I
was given a spinal block and I was surprised that it didn’t really hurt much at all. Matt wasn’t
in the room for that, which he appreciated. Once I was prepped for the
c-section, Matt came into the room. This c-section was different then my first
with Jace in that I felt more of it then I would have liked. But a short time
later, out came baby Sterling, crying! I didn’t think I would be emotional as I
didn’t cry when Jace was born. However, as soon as I heard Sterling cry, I
sobbed like a baby. And I couldn’t stop. He was the answer to so many months of
prayer! After they gave me a quick look at baby, they took him to get cleaned
up. They had to suction him a bit and give him some oxygen because he was a
little purple. But he pinked up pretty quickly. Sterling Davis was born at 9:28
AM weighing 8 pounds and 6 ounces, and was 19 and ¼ inches long. We got a
couple of pictures and then Matt and Sterling were taken to the recovery room
while I was stitched up (that took an extra 30 minutes). Once in the recovery
room I was able to nurse him and do some skin-to-skin. He was so precious. We
stayed 3 nights at the hospital, and within the first day, Sterling pooped 8
times and went down to 7 pounds 15 ounces. I tried walking the halls the first
night because I know that’s good for my recovery, but every time I stood up I
would throw up. So I couldn’t walk until the next morning. Our stay went so
well and the nurses were amazing. Sterling was healthy the entire time (no
jaundice, low blood sugar, etc) and he slept and ate very well. By the time we
left the hospital, he weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces. I was nervous to come home
because I remembered our first nights with Jace very well—lots of crying and no
sleep. Sterling is the complete opposite. I had to wake him up in order to eat
and he sleeps like a champ. He is such a chill baby. Matt and I feel so
blessed! We love him so much and are so excited to have another son to raise.
God has been so gracious to us in answering our prayer for another baby, to
allow a smooth pregnancy, to grant us a safe delivery, and to give us such a
sweet baby boy. We are in love.
Morning of the C-Section! Last bump-pic!
Matt has all the pictures of Sterling from the OR room on his phone. So no first pics to post quite yet. He got a picture of me seeing him for the first time… Cue Ugly cry! Oh man it's a hilarious picture! I'll post it when I get it to my computer. :)
But here he is!
Jace seeing him for the first time!
They have a little garden area outside of the Maternity Ward at my hospital. So I walked Sterling outside a couple times when I walked the halls for recovery purposes.
Coming home!
I tried taking a couple newborn pics of Sterling… this was one of the only good ones I got. haha.
First day a church for Sterling! (My hair is strategically placed… let's just say that's the last time I leave the house without nursing pads…)
Jace wanted to tickle Sterling's feet.
Jace wanted to help give Sterling his blanket. I died laughing. He tries so hard to be a big help.
Suns out, guns out! Tank tops on babies are just too cute!
Matt on the left. Sterling on the right. I think there are some big similarities. Everyone I see says that Sterling is Matt's mini-me. I have to agree. I don't see much of me in him.
Well, the first month of Sterling's life flew by. I am so blessed to have 2 boys that I love so incredibly much. God has been so so kind to Matt and I to bless us with another child. He is everything I could have prayed for and more. It's amazing to look back and to see the struggle it was for me in trying to get pregnant for a year without success. Those times were so hard. But looking back, that time was so crucial for my spiritual growth, dependence upon God, and for drawing me closer to Him. I wouldn't trade it. It was perfectly designed by God for MY good and ultimately HIS glory. In the recovery room we stopped and prayed to thank God for His blessing of another son. He is good.
