He's so special and just so meant to be here with us. He deserves a post all about his little life and how he came to be. So sit back, and enjoy these private moments that I am about to divulge to you. For I do believe that everything has happened for a reason and I want him and anyone else who reads my "journal" someday to know this story.
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I remember feeling like there was just no way that any of this could be happening. "I'm just late..." I told myself over and over again for 2 weeks. Then for 4 weeks. I knew though, I didn't ever miss a period. I'd only missed 2 periods in my life, and the reasons for those were sitting at the kitchen table eating Fruit Loops. I kept putting off the inevitable, knowing that I was pregnant. It wasn't until my good friend, Sharee, urged me for the millionth time at about 12 am on Christmas Eve to take a test. So I went in there, and did my thing. At first, I didn't see anything on the stick and felt a moment of delight. I had set the stick down on the counter while I washed my hands and just before I went to open the door, I glanced down one more time. This time I saw a TINY hint of a second pink line that wasn't there just moments before. I couldn't even tell if I was just seeing things or if it was really there.
"Are you done? What's it say?" I heard Sharee ask from outside the door. I had no idea how to respond really, even though now where that faint line was, there was an almost clearly identifiable extra line, saying "YEP! You're pregnant! HAHA!"
If I remember right, because everything at that moment honestly just became so cloudy, I showed her the stick and I just remember her asking me what I was going to do, or if I was going to tell Mark. Seriously, the details are fuzzy at this point. But she left me to finish wrapping presents, and to call Mark. At like 1 am. On Christmas Eve.
To give you an idea of just how bad of timing this was, it was mine and Mark's first Christmas after separating from our exes. Everything was still so new, so painful, so exciting, and so unsure all at the same time. This was not going to make anything easier. Anyway, ya, I called him. I didn't even have to tell him what was going on, he just knew why I had called. Again, the details are fuzzy. But I remember when I got off the phone with him, I started to bawl.
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Months down the road, we were much happier people. We had realized just how much we were falling in love with each other every second that went by, we were excited that we had a baby coming that was OURS, his and mine, that we were going to be able to experience together. We had moved in to a house together in Surprise and while there were people who didn't understand or approve of our decisions, we knew that what we had decided to do was the right thing.
Mark was the best man to be around when I was pregnant. This pregnancy with Dexter was by far my most enjoyable! Mark showed so much interest in me and my growing belly, which was so different than what I was used to. He would constantly tell me how beautiful I was, how much he loved my belly, he liked to feel Dexter move, and he just made me feel like a Queen. Because of this I was able to enjoy pregnancy so much more! I didn't gain as much weight as I had in the past, I never had any medical issues, I worked full time up until the day I went into labor! I felt so much closer to him during and after those 9 months.
As far as sweet Dexter goes, I completely felt like he was my little buddy even before he was born. He moved around SO much all of the time :) My stomach looked like there was a little alien inside trying to get out. He went to work with me everyday and even though I would waddle around and had cankles the size of my face, I just loved that little reminder that he was there. He was so much fun to be pregnant with.
I had taken monthly pictures of my belly starting at about 17 weeks. Unfortunately, after he was born, I lost ALL MY PICTURES on my phone. I was devastated. Luckily Mark had a couple on his left, and while I don't know the EXACT weeks these were taken I have a ballpark guesstimate. And you can just deal with the fact that I am in my underwear in these pictures, seriously. It's all I have so please, just cool it.
So, the kids went to spend some time with their Dad, and Mark and I were timing my contractions to be about every 5 or 6 minutes. At this point its maybe 7? 8 pm? I cant really remember. But it was later in the evening. Bedtime rolls around and they are really coming on strong, and still very consistent. I'm thinking " ok, I will be going in to the hospital tonight, we better both call in sick tomorrow to work ". Next thing I knew, our alarm clocks had gone off and it was morning.
"What the??" I thought. Why I was not in the hospital, I had no clue. Why had my contractions slowed down?? They were still coming, but not every 5 minutes, more like every 10? 12? "Ugh, not cool" I told them.
Mark and I both called in that day anyway, because I just knew it was only a matter of time. Day went by, we hung out, I had contractions, oh it was just fine and dandy. All the kids came over after school, and we made Turkey Tacos for dinner. Of course they were yummy, why do you even have to ask? They are only our favorite dish here in this house.
After dinner, we took a shower. It had been a loooong day, waiting, and being in pain. So we hopped in, we were washing, and talking, and then-
"OH!" I exclaimed with a pained look on my face. "I either just peed or my water broke".
I couldn't tell of course because how do you separate amniotic fluid from shower water? I quickly got out of the shower so I could crack this case wide open, and Mark is already out getting all the kids ready to leave because he kind of freaked out I think, haha.
As he came back in the bathroom, another gush of fluid came rushing out and I was like "Ya, ok, that's my water. My water broke."
I wasn't about to head to the hospital with wet hair and no makeup. I mean, I had already come this far, so I told him as soon as I finished getting ready we would head over there. It was kind of exciting to know that I would be fresh and clean at the hospital :) So I got ready, threw on something I felt comfortable delivering my baby in and off we went.
We checked in, water kept gushing (gross and so weird to experience), and they made me put on that HIDEOUS hospital gown, to which I quickly nipped in the bud. "As soon as you get up to your private room you can take it off, " they assured me.
We got to our room and yes, the gown was the first to go. We got all settled. Mark was preparing himself for Satan to jump out at any moment, but lo and behold he never came. To his surprise the whole time through labor we were able to just spend some good quality time together. I never yelled at him and called him bad words like you see in the movies, apparently that was his previous experience from his past life.
Nope, we snuggled on the bed together, we talked, we laughed, we just enjoyed our last few moments we had together "just us". I'm telling you, he is a keeper. I got my epidural maybe close to midnight, and then we were both able to get a night of sleep. Yes, I slept through my labor! The nurse woke me around 7:30 ish am?? to check my cervix and as soon as she put her hand in there said
"Oh!, His head is RIGHT there, its time to start pushing!" So Mark and I woke up while they called Dr. Newman.
I think I pushed for 20-30 minutes? I can't remember. It was not too long I know that. Then at 8:05 am, our little Dexter was born. I didn't think I would cry when they gave him to me, but I did. I think I did because when I looked at Mark, he was crying, and it put me over the edge. Just a sweet moment.
He was 8 lb. 3 oz., 21 inches long. My boss texted me asking something about work, and I was like "oh, I just had the baby, I wont be coming in today". Haha, good times.
This labor, and the whole experience was just so perfect. So easy. So right. It made me want to do it one more time with Mark. Everything about it was just so memorable and positive. Even the recovery was the best I had ever had. I didn't tear, or need a episiotomy, which if you have ever had a child, you know makes a world of difference in the experience.
Austin and Zoe spent a lot of time with us at the hospital, and just ADORED this little baby. He looked, and still does look, so much like my Mark. I spent one night in the hospital and got out of there as soon as they would let me.
Dexter J. Nash Childers, you are loved by so many. You make everyone smile that sees you. You have been a sweet blessing sent to make us all whole, and you will always be our little "Boosa". We love you so much.
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