July 8...A Special Day

On July 8, 2009, we welcomed our baby boy Ka'oiwi into our family.

I was actually due on July 10th and my friend Jenny was due on the 11th. Throughout our entire pregnancy, we kept in touch updating each other on our status. It was nice to be pregnant with someone else at the same time but unfortunately, we were miles apart. We were here in Hawaii and she was back in Provo.

During one of those conversations Jenny mentioned, "Wouldn't it be cool if we gave birth on July 8. Then it would be 07-08-09." I thought that that would be very cool but didn't think that it would actually happen.

As we were nearing the end, Jenny noticed different things in her pregnancy which were pointing in the direction of labor...while I didn't. I was trying to be "in tune" with my body but nothing. I could only feel braxton hicks contractions, but those didn't count. I'd been feeling them for weeks. They weren't any stronger or more frequent than before so I never really paid attention to them.

On July 7th, I felt those braxton hicks a little stronger. They weren't sore but a bit more intense from what I had been experiencing. I tried to take a nap that afternoon but it was uncomfortable. I kept on waking up but didn't make anything of it. I never really experienced symptoms of labor the first time around with Na'u because she ended up being an emergency c-section. With Na'u, my water broke at home, but I never had any contractions. Because I never experienced anything, I didn't know what to expect. It would be my first labor.

Later that evening, we had family friends come over for FHE. During the whole time we had guests, I felt those contractions, but just brushed them off. After everyone went home, I got ready for bed but could not get comfortable. I started keeping track of the contractions around 10:00ish and they were about 7-10 mins apart. I didn't want to get my hopes up so I was waiting for it to go away...but they didn't. I called Cameron at work to let him in on the news. He finished around 11 and by 12:30am, the contractions were 3-5 mins apart. We were very excited and Cam wanted to get to the hospital already.

This was right before we left for the hospital. The tummy measurement was 49 1/2 inches.



We arrived at Kapiolani Hospital at 1:45am and you'd think that it wouldn't be crowded being so early in the morning. Lucky for us, we weren't alone. There were CHOKE other babies wanting to come out too. I was feeling great. The contractions were bearable so I walked all the way up to the birthing floor only to find myself waiting for a room to open up. We were stuck waiting in the lobby for 1 hour and 15 mins. I was getting so impatient. All 25+ triage rooms were full. We finally got into our room only to wait another 45 mins to be checked and hooked up to the monitors. The contractions were still coming 3-5 mins apart and we were soooo tired. Cameron and I both dozed off in between contractions.

They moved me into the labor room around 8am and soon after, our good friend Gabby dropped by for some moral support. Having her there helped to pass the time. The contractions were so uncomfortable especially since I had back labor because my little man was flipped upside down. My mom told me that I needed to focus on something to help me through each contraction. What better way to do that then to think of my Na'u.



I was missing her so much. Even though Na'u was far from me (on Moloka'i), she knew something was up. That entire day, she would point to my picture, saying "mommy", and never wanted to be put down. She had never acted like that before.

To further things along, the nurse broke my water at 10:45am. As soon as my water broke, my contractions came every 1-2 minutes and a lot more intense. I was so exhausted that I would fall asleep in between contractions. I still wasn't sure if I was going to get the epidural. I wanted to see how long I could hold out for. When I was at a 7, I was seriously considering it. Cam gave me the best pick me up talk that gave me the boost of confidence I needed. I endured through the rest of the dreadful contractions and started to push @ 1:40pm. My little man came @ 2:35pm. Almost and entire hour of pushing.



When the doctor placed him in my arms, I thought "oh....he's heavy."


'Oiwi was 8lbs 10.1 oz and 21 1/2 inches. He was A LOT bigger than what any of us, including my doctor, expected. He was such a good boy. He only cried for a sec. Before they took him to the nursery, I held him for a good hour. He was up the entire time, calm and attentive.



I had the best nurse ever. She encouraged me every step of the way.



On friday, my discharge day, my family came to the hospital bringing my Na'u. I missed her so much. From the moment she met her brother, she has been a great big sister.



The proud daddy and his boy.



Our little family. It's complete...for now :).