Saturday, August 21, 2010

Introducing....

Cameron Shaw Mullins
DOB: August 12, 2010
Time: 1:08 am
8 lbs. 1.1 oz
21.5 inches
I started having contractions about a week before I actually went into labor. I kept going to work because they weren't steady and consistent and I still had a few things to finish up. By Friday, I had everything ready at work in case I didn't make it through the weekend. I went to work on Monday and then on Tuesday, I thought for sure I was going to have him. Well, I stayed home and as the day progressed, my contractions slowed down. I wasn't thrilled, but we were waiting on God's time. I was going to go into work on Wednesday, but again I woke up with contractions. We were supposed to wait until they were 3-5 minutes apart for an hour before we went to the hospital, but we waited 2 hours because they would be consistent and then I would have a random 14 minute break. Rob called the doctor and they said to bring me in. So, after making sure we had everything, off we went! We get to the hospital, they put me in triage, and my contractions STOPPED! UGH! They let me lay there for a little while and they contractions started back up. My doctor just happened to be on the floor because she helped with a C-section that morning. She came and examined me and said that I was in labor, but wasn't quite ready. She asked if I wanted to go home for a few hours and come back later or if I wanted to be admitted. We opted to go ahead and be admitted. After an hour or so of being there, she came in and broke my water to help things get going. After another hour of things not progressing, she decided to put me on Pitocin. I didn't want this, but she had to do something. It didn't take things long after that to start progressing. The contractions picked up in time and intensity. We were headed to having our sweet baby boy!


At this point in time, I had not had any pain meds and was thinking that this wasn't near as bad as I thought it was going to be! HAHA! I was sooo excited that my baby boy was on the way!

We were soo excited to welcome our son! Again, things weren't quite so bad yet....

And then things started to HURT! We didn't know if I would be able to have an epidural due to all the scar tissue built up on my spine from all the lumbar punctures during chemo. So, we told ourselves that I was going to do this strictly with pain meds. That way, if for some reason they couldn't get it in, it wouldn't be such a huge shock to me. So, we started with the pain meds. I wasn't dilated enough for the epidural anyways. The first dose didn't help too much, but the second dose did! It helped sooo much! I didn't want to have too much pain meds because it does pass on to the baby and makes them sleepy when they are born, but it hurt soooo bad! So, when it began to hurt again, I asked for the epidural. I didn't want to give any more pain meds to Cameron. I wasn't far enough along yet, so we had to do more meds. FINALLY, it was time for me to get the epidural. The anesthesiologist from the day had no problem trying to give it to me. He thought he could get through the scar tissue easily. Well, by the time I was dilated enough, he had gone home and the on-call anesthesiologist came in to see me. His concern wasn't really the scar tissue but more of the fact that I currently have cancer. Even though my blood work is normal, I was considered "immuno-compromised" and he decided he didn't want to take the chance I would get an infection from the epidural. WHAT?!?!?! I know we had "tried" to convince ourselves I would do it with no epidural, but truth is, I always knew I would get one. Ummm.....bring on the pain meds!!! The contractions got worse and the meds didn't help as much. BUT, I did it!


Cameron was so loved that he had the waiting room FULL! He had family and friends come from here in town and from out of town! Above is his big sister Natalie and his Aunt Kay! Below is his "Aunt" Ashley, Tim, "Aunt" Randee, and his Nana. Also there were his Papa, MawMaw, PawPaw, Uncle Casey, big sister Emilee, and of course, his Momma and Daddy!




He was sooo precious! I pushed for about 30-45 minutes (I wasn't really paying attention to the clock!) I was ready to push before my doctor got there and the nurse kept telling me to breathe through the contraction. Are you crazy!?!? He was READY! FINALLY, my doctor made it. She called once she was downstairs and they let me start pushing. She showed up, caught my sweet baby boy and placed him on me. I was in love IMMEDIATELY! I couldn't believe that I had just given birth to that sweet face!


He is truly our little miracle! I am so head over heels for this little boy. He had me wrapped around his finger from the moment I found out I was pregnant! Isn't he precious?!?


My very awesome doctor- Dr. Lieb! She wanted to deliver Cameron so bad. She was on vacation the week before and she told me to hold off until she got back. She wasn't even on call the night that I had him. She came up to the hospital just so she could be the one to deliver him!

We were told he would be around 7 lbs max when born...oops! He came out at 8 lbs., 1.1 oz. He was so content and quiet. They had to keep poking him to make him cry so he could get his lungs working. There was nothing wrong with him, he's just quiet.


This was our first picture with our little man! We took some time just the three of us, and then the girls came in and we took some time for just the five of us before we let the rest of the friends and family come in.


Proud Big Sister Natalie


Proud Big Sister Emilee


I'm one proud Momma with my three kiddos!


It was after 3 am before everyone was able to come in. Above is Tim and "Aunt" Ashley. They drove back to Shreveport after they saw him and went to work in the morning! Thank you so much for coming to see him! He had to sit under the lights for about 30 minutes so nobody could hold him, but at least they could come see him!

Aunt Kay and Uncle Casey also drove back to Shreveport that morning! We love them soo much too! So glad they were there to meet their nephew!


Nana fell in love immediately!


So did Papa....


and PawPaw...

and MawMaw!!!


His very awesome wreath that Nana had made for him! I am not really into the whole baby blue stuff, so we had to get something original! We had people stop at our door and take pictures, nurses come in and say how much they loved it, and just random people telling us how much they loved the idea! We had a few people (like the social worker, doctor, etc. tell us it was the wrong color...haha! For some reason, there are a lot of Texas (yuck!) fans in Texas!)


Cameron and Dr. Lieb


Sleepin' on his Daddy! One of his favorite past times!


LOVE!!!- my two men!


Aunt Kay came back the next day, or was it the same day?? She also brought his cousins Walker and Wyatt to meet Cameron. They were thrilled for a little bit, but then they needed something else to do...hehe! Aunt Kay was content holding him!


Cameron and Daddy in their LSU outfits!


"Aunt" Randee trying to corrupt my son already! She knows she's wasting her time, but she still keeps trying! She started when he was still in the womb! HAHA!


Sleepin' on Momma- another one of his favorite past times!


He had to spend another day under the lights. It was so hard because he did not like being naked and we did not like not being able to hold him!


He is just sooo kissable!


Holding my heart in my arms!


Just a cute face!


Going home! It was so last minute that we didn't get to all get in our outfits that we planned on wearing. I went home in pajamas, and he went home in the outfit he had on. They had told us we were staying another night. We were getting ready for bed when they came in and said we could go home and they started discharging us!


Going into his house for the first time (through the messy garage!)


Meeting his puppy sisters for the first time. They were very curious about the new "puppy" we brought home. They keep trying to check him out, but they just smell him, sometimes try to kiss him, and they go on about their business.


Are these not the cutest little toes?!?!?


So cute!


I love my snuggle time with my little man!


Papa came back later in the week to get him some snuggle time!



He can sleep through anything!!!





Such LOOOOONG legs!


Lovin' his bouncer


He actually LOVES his bath! He will just let the water run all over him! He was perfectly fine just chillin' in the water!



Daddy washing his hair!





Daddy was tickling him and making him smile! Isn't he the cutest!!!
So, that's our boy! We are all adjusting and learning each other. Thankfully, both of our mothers have been taking turns and helping us out. This weekend, Rob and I are taking turns watching Cameron and catching up on our sleep!

6 comments:

Brandi Hart said...

He is so cute, Vanessa! Isn't motherhood wonderful? Congratulations to you and Rob on your sweet little Cameron!

Anonymous said...

He is so precious! I can't wait to see him (and the girls) again... just a couple more weeks! Miss and love all of you!
Aunt Kay

mizlesa said...

Oh. my. gosh. He is so cute. I want him! Very Holland-looking to me right now but I'm sure he looks like his daddy, too. So boy-looking and so pretty at the same time. My grandmother heart says I need to hold him but we're gonna give you some time to adjust. Is there a Shreveport-area Sip 'N See in the works perhaps!? I know your docs are going to tell you what's next as far as treatment but you just got the best medicine there is. I couldn't be happier if you were my own!! Keep the cutie-pie Cameron pics coming. I love seeing them! SO haaapppeeee for all of you!

Tracy said...

He is so precious and so perfect. I am so happy for you and your family!!!

Joy H Nored said...

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him." I Samuel 1:27
I am so very happy for you and your family, Vanessa. Joy Nored [mamma]

Crystal said...

You certainly did beat it, Vanessa Rae. You came out victorious! I love you so much and take comfort in the fact that I will see you again one day.