I have a few free minutes, so I wanted to take the time to write down the events of our labor day so that I don't forget the details. It was a whirlwind! (This is lengthy and don't really expect anyone to read it all).
Tuesday I had gone to the doctor and he had disappointed me by saying nothing was progressing and that the hospital was booked the following Monday/Tuesday. I had resolved myself to think that it could be the following Wed before we met this little bundle of joy.
Wednesday I felt a lot better about it and decided to be patient. I had a really good day doing a whole bunch of nothing. I literally wasted the day away. It was really nice.
We went to bed Wednesday night around 11 and Kevin and I discussed whether he should go to the ranch on Thursday morning. We decided that if he could fly in the helicopter, then he could go so that if something were to happen he could be back within an hour. Also, Wed evening my brother called me to see if I would watch Dylan (my adorable nephew) on Thursday. I never pass up an opportunity to hang out with him, so I gladly volunteered.
At 1am, I woke up to go to the bathroom, as usual. As I crawled back into bed I noticed that something felt different. Hmm. That seemed like it might have been a contraction. It was fairly light so I wasn't sure but it sure had me wide awake. I waited...and about 5 min later there was another one. Another 5-6 min another. They kept coming and they got stronger. So at 2:30 I decided to wake up Kevin. "Kevin...I'm having contractions." He was like...are you sure? Yes. So, we pulled out the computer and used this contraction tracker website that someone recommended. You hit a button and it tracks the length of each one and the distance between them.
They were all pretty consistent and they kept getting stronger...and stronger. Around 4ish I decided I should take a shower and fix my hair. I had gone curly on Wed. and my hair was looking like an afro. I knew there would be pictures taken and I couldn't be looking like that! So I showered and dried my hair. I started flat ironing and man the contractions were getting strong. I put on a little make-up and then I knew. It was time to call the doctor. So I called right around 5 and talked to the on call doctor and she said that I should head on to the hospital. Kevin was still putting his bag together and around this time I was getting miserable. I believe I said...we REALLY have to go. So he hurried.
Luckily, we only live about a couple of miles from the hospital. On the way to the hospital I texted my brother to let him know I probably couldn't watch Dylan and as we were on our way to the hospital. Sorry about that. It was about 5:40am when we arrived. Then I met my not so urgent nurse. She was very young and in NO hurry. At this point - I was dying. Like I need drugs...now. She told me to change and I could barely get changed. I crawled into the bed, barely. Then she proceeded to ask question after question after question. I was really miserable and she was not moving very quickly. She kept referring to me as "chica." "You're ok chica...you're doing a good job chica." Really. Do I look like a chica? I came really close to asking her to please not call me that anymore but I decided that at that point it would come out really really ugly and I better just stay quiet.
I wasn't really all that quiet at that point. I am sure Kevin was shocked because I rarely like to make a scene but the contractions were non-stop. As soon as one ended another began. Finally I convinced her to get someone to check me and they said that I was at a 6. They needed to get an iv in me and then I could have my epidural. Please....hurry...please.
Luckily there was another nurse who was more experienced and much more helpful. She helped me calm down some and survive the contractions. Then I finally got the blessed epidural. Oh glorious epidural! Thank you! Life was good again.
Then the baby's heartbeat was slowing. They made me take oxygen and kept turning me from side to side. I don't know - I guess it was supposed to help. Apparently a lot happened really fast. The labor progressed quickly and the getting the epidural gave poor Will a little stress.
45 minutes after they first checked me I was fully dialated plus 2. I don't really know what that means. Basically, though I went from a 6 to 10 in record time. No wonder I was in so much pain! Wow. The nurses commented that I should have come to the hospital sooner. Who knew? I heard over and over again from everyone not to go too early. I didn't want to be sent home. I did walk a good bit around the house as recommended by others. All I kept thinking was I almost didn't have time to get an epi. That would have been torture!
Once I got my epidural they called the doctor and he said he would be there in 45 min and not to push. No worries...I couldn't feel anything...at all...so I wasn't feeling the need to push.
At 7:15am the doctor was there and told me to start pushing. Well that was tough because I really couldn't feel a thing. I didn't feel any pressure or anything. I wasn't complaining but that didn't make pushing very easy. I pushed for awhile and then they turned off the epidural to see if I could at least feel some pressure. (I guess generally you have the epidural for awhile and it wears down some but mine happened so fast that it was still in full force). The doctor checked me again and little Will's face was turned in a not so optimal position. Apparently he was LOA. Basically, I couldn't push him out. After an hour of pushing the doctor said...give me 15 more min of pushing and then we'll give him some help. So, that's what we did. They used the forceps to pull him down and then he came right out on the next push. And there he was!! At 8:50am...Will Ryan came into the world!
Due to meconium being in whatever they tested they wanted to check him out right away and I didn't get to see him just yet. I had to wait. Pure torture. Kevin would go over and take some pictures and bring the camera back for me to see. He was perfect. Absolutely perfect. His poor head had some scratches and a dent from using the tools, but other than that he was in excellent health and weighed a good 7 lbs 2 oz. He was 21.25 inches long! No wonder I was so uncomfortable...he was crazy long!
And now he is home here with us. He is a week old and we are having so much fun getting to know him and learning to care for him. We can't believe how in love with him we are. I kiss his sweet cheeks so often I may chap them soon. I can't resist! We are so thankful for a healthy baby and so proud that we have been chosen to raise this beautiful child. And that is how Will Ryan made it into the world!
Dylan loves a good birthday party! He was a big help with all those candles!
Here he is "cheesing" with daddy. (That's what he calls it).
Notice the blue icing covering his lips. This kid loves him some cake! 
Thanks for coming over and celebrating with us! I have 2 amazing brothers and I am so happy Will has these 2 amazing uncles! We love you!! 
Some of the newborn clothes are still a little big on him.
Hanging with Uncle J
Here is me with my hair actually fixed! I am starting to see myself under there somewhere.
Mommy and Will
Love how he cuddles with his hand!
Big eyes!
We love these feet!
Such a long boy!
Close up!
First ride in the swing
Kevin is such a great daddy! He has been so helpful and is ready to do whatever we need to make things easier. I am so happy that he is Will's daddy! 
All snug in his carseat!
Look at this cutie! Look at those long arms and legs! They are crazy long! Check out this kid's feet. They are the biggest feet I have ever seen on a baby! The toes are hilarious! I mean I think he is the cutest kid ever but his feet and toes are monkey-like! The toes are so long and curl up like nothing else! 
Here is our sweet nephew Dylan meeting Will. He was so cute with him. Then...he was over him!
Brandi used some of the down time to get Will started early with some school spirit. She thought Texas Tech might need all the fan support they can get with their big game tonight in Austin against the Longhorns.
Thankfully, we didn't have a long drive from the hospital to our home. Much to our surprise, Ally, Aunt Kayse, and Liz had decorated the front of our townhouse, as well as our dining room in celebration of Will's arrival.
Well, hopefully this is the last time you will have to grind through one of my blogs. I have a feeling Brandi will be resuming her duties once she has recovered , which is a good thing for all of us. She does a much better job of creating these blogs than I do. 
Will has been much more alert today than yesterday, although he's guaranteed to fall asleep as soon as Brandi attempts to nurse. Here is Will shortly after nursing this morning:
It didn't take long for Uncle J to meet his new little buddy before making plans to take his two nephews out to see the Rangers as soon as possible.
Right now, the plan is to check out of the hospital tomorrow morning and head home for what I can only imagine will be a scary first night with Will. We are so thankful for all of the love and support we have received and will try to keep updating the blog as much as possible over the course of the next several days. 
Mom and Will are resting comfortably in their post-partum room, and everything seems to be going really well. We are expecting to stay in the hospital through Saturday morning, but will try to update the blog when possible.
This is just a fun picture for Uncle Justin. We call him J. He got Will this adorable monkey and several clever bibs such as this one...
The crib now complete with the mobile.
With the back side of this gorgeous blanket...
My sister in law actually gave me this several years back. How appropriate is this for Will's room?
So this is still the not-so-finished wall. I figured I could leave it as is for now and will probably find something to fill it up in time.
This is just a fun picture of Will's toy collection so far! We need a toy box!
