Adam Jacob Dolezalek

born 1-7-14

12:28 am

7 pounds 13 ounces

21.5 inches long

brown hair, dark blue eyes

super cute

fast and furious and born in the water. 

if you want the super long version read on,

mostly it's for me - to remember the details. 

Of course it was the coldest day yet of the year when I went into labor. After two weeks of contracting off and on I knew it was the real deal by about 5pm. I had worked the night before, slept pretty well all day long and then woke to a feeling of the baby lower and contractions more regular. We made it through dinner time and bedtime with Ava and Luca (although I did read Luca's story on my hands and knees). I showered, finished packing the hospital bag and tried watching some tv as a distraction. My mom was going to head over after her dinner out yet when she stopped at home to pick up Max she found her house at 55 degrees and the furnace off. Shit. She was able to get someone out to the house quickly and made it to our house a little after 11pm. I honestly don't think we would have left the house any sooner but it was a good thing she came when she did. 

Dustin had let the truck warm for a good 30 minutes but it still felt frigid. I clutched the hand bar and told Dustin to drive slowly. Those bumps really suck. I made it up to the birthing center with a few stops along the way, now tearful with contractions and a little fearful of what I knew was coming. 

Some friends ask me if it's weird to have a baby where I work - wondering mainly if it's awkward later knowing your friends have seen you buck naked, screaming and swearing. Surprisingly it's not, at least not for me. When I walked into my room (perks of working there is that you can bipass triage) and saw my friend Megan I felt relief. I felt like I was safe. I knew that whatever happened I was in good hands. I also knew that drugs were close by should I need them.

When Carol the midwife checked me at 11:45 I was 5cm. I was bummed to not be more dilated but I also remembered the craziness of Luca's birth of 4cm to birth in an hour and a half. Little did I know that I would cut that time in half and be holding my baby in 45 minutes. 45 wild, painful, head spinning minutes. 

I have always been impressed with Dustin's support while I'm in labor. He is 100% present and willing to do whatever I need him to do to get through. This time it was pretty much just letting me put a death grip around his neck and keep telling me that I could do this even though I was doubting it...aloud, over and over. I didn;t have time for the massage oils, the chill playlist, the antibiotics. It didn't matter. I spent some time laboring on the toilet and then I knew it was time. I got into the tub. 

Megan says I was in the tub only ten minutes before he was born. I think I was in a out of body experience in those ten minutes. I remember my labor and delivery nurse mind sort of seeing it all happen, knowing it was normal and that it would be over soon. My crazy fast laboring body didn't agree with the rational nurse. I remember Megan excitedly bringing in warm water and blankets and trying to be encouraging that the end was near and looking at her like she must be crazy. Those last few contractions though we came together, I held on to Dustin and I pushed my baby out.  

A boy. Wow. A boy. 

I helped bring him out of the water, he made a few little cries and then he was calm and alert. We stayed in the water and just gazed at him. His little round head, soft soft skin, big open eyes. I remember kissing Dustin and him telling me what a great job I did. I remember thinking "I did it" followed by "I don't ever want to do it again". 

Adam, we love you.

Your big brother and sister are going to love you. 

Welcome little love.