Friday evening Meredith told us that she was being admitted for an induction - as I like to say "jump start".
But she went into labor on her own Saturday morning and while she did go to appointment on Saturday 9.14, her labor was well-established.
The nurse started the "jump start" and then about 6 hours later a little epidural to help mom with the intense contractions. About 5 hours later the water needed to be broken as baby loved the Miami Beach womb - 98 degrees with a little wave. Only then did baby decide to show interest in arriving - finally started to thin and dilate.
At 3:45 p.m. on September 15, 2013, Zane Benjamin Edwards was born to Meredith Miller Edwards and Benjamin Edwards.
Grampa and I arrived later and we are so proud of Meredith and Ben!! There was also Maw Maw Debbie and some of the Edwards family. Little did we know that Aunt Carly made it all the way to the hospital from Wilmington.
And then the moment arrived. I fell in love with another man - Zane is the most handsome baby I have ever met. All 8 lbs 4 oz and 21.25 of him. What a fantastic experience to hold you!!
When you came home on Tuesday, you were already holding your head up and rolling on your side. Well, you were already grown -- 2 weeks old by that time.
Zane -- we are all so in love with you.!!!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Days after the Dr. Appt
The days after the Dr. appt were quiet. Just waiting for the baby. Nothing earth shattering occurred at the Dr. appt. The Dr. just recommended an appt to deliver the baby if nothing happened naturally.
That was Tuesday.
Today is Friday and Meredith calls me after I am home from work.
She received a letter from the Dr. to report to the hospital at 7:30 pm Sept 14. They will give her some meds to induce labor. If she is not far enough after 24 hours, then they will consider a cesarean section.
Either way, the baby will be here. The momma and baby will be healthy and happy.
We will all be happy.
That was Tuesday.
Today is Friday and Meredith calls me after I am home from work.
She received a letter from the Dr. to report to the hospital at 7:30 pm Sept 14. They will give her some meds to induce labor. If she is not far enough after 24 hours, then they will consider a cesarean section.
Either way, the baby will be here. The momma and baby will be healthy and happy.
We will all be happy.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Twas the Night before the Dr. Appt
T'was the night before the 41st week Dr. appt. and no baby is to be found.
Yes, little one, you have missed your due date by a week.
Your due date was Sept 3 2013 and no one thought you would make it this long. We really expected an August birthday. And as I have shared, no one wanted an August birthday for you.
During the pregnancy, your mom was told that her belly was measuring early or big several times. They actually measured you at 6.2 lbs at 36 weeks - given an approximate .5 lbs each week during the last month - you should weigh around 8.5 lbs now.
So your momma is huge. But she has a great attitude and does not seem to be miserable at all.
She is very healthy (except a little cold that has resulted in a torn muscle in her ribs) and hungry and still enjoys a good walk or swim. And of course, your momma is beautiful. You will see the pics, she is gorgeous.
Tomorrow is the 41st week Dr. appt. Your mom and dad will listen very carefully to the Dr. and midwife before a decision is made if we continue to let you grow inside the warm cozy belly or outside in your mom and dad's loving arms. God has a special plan for you. We are excited to see that plan unfold this week.
So we have been waiting ... all of us. Your mom, dad, grammy, grampa, and maw maw as well as your puppies Shelby, Sherlock and Peanut. Aunt Carly has visited your mom and dad regularly driving up to Burlington from Wilmington. We all love you and hope to see you soon.
Yes, little one, you have missed your due date by a week.
Your due date was Sept 3 2013 and no one thought you would make it this long. We really expected an August birthday. And as I have shared, no one wanted an August birthday for you.
During the pregnancy, your mom was told that her belly was measuring early or big several times. They actually measured you at 6.2 lbs at 36 weeks - given an approximate .5 lbs each week during the last month - you should weigh around 8.5 lbs now.
So your momma is huge. But she has a great attitude and does not seem to be miserable at all.
She is very healthy (except a little cold that has resulted in a torn muscle in her ribs) and hungry and still enjoys a good walk or swim. And of course, your momma is beautiful. You will see the pics, she is gorgeous.
Tomorrow is the 41st week Dr. appt. Your mom and dad will listen very carefully to the Dr. and midwife before a decision is made if we continue to let you grow inside the warm cozy belly or outside in your mom and dad's loving arms. God has a special plan for you. We are excited to see that plan unfold this week.
So we have been waiting ... all of us. Your mom, dad, grammy, grampa, and maw maw as well as your puppies Shelby, Sherlock and Peanut. Aunt Carly has visited your mom and dad regularly driving up to Burlington from Wilmington. We all love you and hope to see you soon.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
My Walks with our Dogs
Our family dogs have always walked with me.
We live on long dirt road, much like others around Orange County, with a few other homes which all have 10+ acres. The surrounding trees and streams are lovely so the walk is cathartic.
In the 21 years here, each dog has walked with me down this gravel road.
Initially it was Emmett, and then Spike. I walked and the dogs followed. Spike was always behind me - no leashes necessary. Never did I have to worry about him chasing any deer, squirrels or get lost from sniffing the surrounding trees. When Emmett passed away from old age, Spike continued to walk with me, just the two of us walking about a mile.
When Carly picked out Dexter from the pound, and he was no longer a small puppy, both dogs followed me without incident. Arthritis slowly consumed Spike's body but he persisted. Although each walk became more difficult, Spike followed until he couldn't walk the distance any longer. He stopped at strategic spots to rest, knowing that I would be back on the return home. It was our special time together.
Dexter continued this tradition after Spike passed from old age. The routine never changed. However, Dexter in his old age, became so arthritic that I sometimes had to pen him to prevent him from following me up the hills, for his own good. On one day, I thought that I should just let him follow me. I assumed that he knew what he is capable of and what his body can endure.
I walked up the long hill, to the top of the road, off the gravel and proceeded down the asphalt road for a longer walk. I turned my back, did not see Dexter and thought he would go no further than the mailboxes. I had no idea that on my return down the gravel road he had walked further than I could have imagined.
As I passed Dexter and heard the rustling leaves, I saw him struggle to get up to greet me. Dexter was waiting for me under the trees at the corner of the asphalt and gravel road. He had walked to the top of the long hill, past the mailboxes to the drive of a nearby neighbor and waited. His loyalty to our walk brought tears to my eyes. It was our last walk together. He passed about a month later.
During Dexter's older years, I did not let the newer, younger dogs walk with us. Sam, and then Chico, did not practice following me during our walks. I did not feel comfortable that they would stay in line so to speak, like our other dogs. And since Dexter's passing, I just didn't want to try - until this morning.
Their reactions were reminiscent of Emmett, Spike and Dexter. Once Sam and Chico realized that we were going out of our boundaries, off our property, they were so excited. Their tails wagged and they barked excitedly. Sam kept nibbling my hand as if to hold it.
We walked the same path I walked with their predecessors. Down the drive, to the left, past the stream, up the hill, down a hill, up a hill to the end of our road and back home. Amazingly all went well. They kept up with me and did not stray off. Until the return home.
At the top of the final hill they both disappeared. I whistled for them both but neither Chico nor Sam came. Surely they both knew these woods and would get home - probably before I did. No sooner had I turned around, here came Chico running at full speed as if to say, "Wait for me. You aren't going anywhere without me!! Here I am." But Sam did not come as quickly.
Trying not to worry, I headed home with Chico only to find Sam meeting us at our driveway and wet. I am sure he strayed to find his beloved stream of water for a quick dip as Goldens do love water.
In all, I am pleased. With more walks and practice, Sam and Chico will eventually follow tradition. Our family dogs have always walked with me.
We live on long dirt road, much like others around Orange County, with a few other homes which all have 10+ acres. The surrounding trees and streams are lovely so the walk is cathartic.
In the 21 years here, each dog has walked with me down this gravel road.
Initially it was Emmett, and then Spike. I walked and the dogs followed. Spike was always behind me - no leashes necessary. Never did I have to worry about him chasing any deer, squirrels or get lost from sniffing the surrounding trees. When Emmett passed away from old age, Spike continued to walk with me, just the two of us walking about a mile.
Thomas and Emmett 1988
Emmett and Spike 1992
Dexter and Spike 2007
When Carly picked out Dexter from the pound, and he was no longer a small puppy, both dogs followed me without incident. Arthritis slowly consumed Spike's body but he persisted. Although each walk became more difficult, Spike followed until he couldn't walk the distance any longer. He stopped at strategic spots to rest, knowing that I would be back on the return home. It was our special time together.
Dexter continued this tradition after Spike passed from old age. The routine never changed. However, Dexter in his old age, became so arthritic that I sometimes had to pen him to prevent him from following me up the hills, for his own good. On one day, I thought that I should just let him follow me. I assumed that he knew what he is capable of and what his body can endure.
I walked up the long hill, to the top of the road, off the gravel and proceeded down the asphalt road for a longer walk. I turned my back, did not see Dexter and thought he would go no further than the mailboxes. I had no idea that on my return down the gravel road he had walked further than I could have imagined.
As I passed Dexter and heard the rustling leaves, I saw him struggle to get up to greet me. Dexter was waiting for me under the trees at the corner of the asphalt and gravel road. He had walked to the top of the long hill, past the mailboxes to the drive of a nearby neighbor and waited. His loyalty to our walk brought tears to my eyes. It was our last walk together. He passed about a month later.
Dexter 2010
During Dexter's older years, I did not let the newer, younger dogs walk with us. Sam, and then Chico, did not practice following me during our walks. I did not feel comfortable that they would stay in line so to speak, like our other dogs. And since Dexter's passing, I just didn't want to try - until this morning.
Sam and Chico 2013
Their reactions were reminiscent of Emmett, Spike and Dexter. Once Sam and Chico realized that we were going out of our boundaries, off our property, they were so excited. Their tails wagged and they barked excitedly. Sam kept nibbling my hand as if to hold it.
We walked the same path I walked with their predecessors. Down the drive, to the left, past the stream, up the hill, down a hill, up a hill to the end of our road and back home. Amazingly all went well. They kept up with me and did not stray off. Until the return home.
At the top of the final hill they both disappeared. I whistled for them both but neither Chico nor Sam came. Surely they both knew these woods and would get home - probably before I did. No sooner had I turned around, here came Chico running at full speed as if to say, "Wait for me. You aren't going anywhere without me!! Here I am." But Sam did not come as quickly.
Trying not to worry, I headed home with Chico only to find Sam meeting us at our driveway and wet. I am sure he strayed to find his beloved stream of water for a quick dip as Goldens do love water.
Sam and Chico 2013
In all, I am pleased. With more walks and practice, Sam and Chico will eventually follow tradition. Our family dogs have always walked with me.
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