The Delivery Story of Parker Stephen Thomas

Here is the longer story...
Last pregnant picture- taken just before Wes and I left for the hospital.
We had Parker at Durham Regional Hospital.Wes and I went into the hospital on August 24, 2011 for a scheduled induction. As we got checked in-- we anticipated a baby by August 25 (in our minds... hopefully the morning) We slept through the night (I- Avery- slept GREAT because they gave me a sleeping pill) The next morning- they started the pitocin drip at 5:00 am knocking it up every 30 minutes. My parents arrived at the hospital shortly after 6:00 am and Wes enjoyed a Chick-Fil-A breakfast. For me... nothing but fluids-- not fun. Our nurse Jason said farewell at 7:30 am and predicted a baby to arrive by 6:30 pm-- we told him we wouldn't hold him to it... but wanted his best guess. :)

Shortly after 6:00 am the contractions started to come... but true labor pains hit full force by 10:00 am. At one point I told Wes and my Mom and Dad that I truly disliked Eve for the Bible says- "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children." Oh that is true!! The pain so great that I couldn't open my eyes. Wes was so supportive- helping me relax and breath through contractions. Our goal was not have any pain medication. Sometime around 11:00 am- my water broke and the pain increased. I made it to 1:00 pm and 6 cm dilated when Wes and I decided it wasn't wise to move forward without some pain management. After the epidural took effect-- I was a new person- I could open my eyes and even smile. At first I felt a bit of shame for the pain medication... but quickly realized that there was no shame-- the goal is a healthy baby and healthy mom. Around 7:30 pm-- still no baby. Jason (our nurse) came back on shift and couldn't believe that we didn't have a baby. At 10:30 pm, I was finally 10 cm and ready to start pushing. Newest prediction-- baby boy would be here in 1 hour. 1 hour came and went... and I was already exhausted from pushing. 2 hours ... and now it is 11:30. I was now wondering if we would have a baby on August 25. After 12:00 am ... I didn't care what date or time it was-- I wanted that baby out of me. The pain medication seemed to no longer be in effect and I was beyond exhausted. Wes and Jason would ask me-- "what do you need??"-- my reply "a nap" :) I never got my nap... instead- Jason kept upping the pitocin to increase contractions... to encourage good pushing. 12:30 am soon came and went. It was about 1:00 am... I didn't know if I was going to make it. I was literally so exhausted I couldn't breath (which makes "take a deep breath and push" very difficult) I kept praying God would give me strength. Wes and I had a playlist of some favorite songs playing in the background. One of my favorite songs by Rita Springer started to play-- Worth it All. Here is the video of this song--


I held onto the words of this song. "Frantically believing that the sight of you face is all that I need... I will say to you... It's gonna be worth it... it's gonna be worth it... it's gonna be worth it all." It was at the moment of this song and lots of people praying for me in America and in China (as I found out the next day) that-- Parker Stephen Thomas made his arrival into the world at 1:34 am weighing 7 pounds 3 oz and 19.5 inches long.Seeing my baby for the first time was amazing-- despite the fact I was exhausted and still in a TON of pain-- seeing his face and hearing his cry made it worth it all!
Wes is the best husband a girl could ask for. He stood by my side helped bring our baby into the world.
We had parents in the waiting room ready to meet the Baby Boy Thomas.
BooBoo and Buddy (notice the clock-- that is 2:55 am)


Granddad and Neeny


Aunt Ashley and Uncle Salomon

We had a quick stay at the hospital. We had the opportunity to come home on Saturday (during Hurricane Irene) I had an adorable outfit for him to wear (even though I think most people thought it was silly) I thought it was sweet :)
Thank you Father for such a healthy happy baby. He is an amazing blessing. As I tell Wes-- "Wes, you are my main squeeze-- I will never love anybody more that you... Parker is my little squeeze." My love for both is unconditional!!
Some favorite pictures