Dylan's Story

Dylan Gehrig Swenson's Story

I am a little slow at posting this, but I am still getting used to life with two kids (and I had no idea how to post on a blog so I had to ask Kada!). A few days before Dylan was born Colby and I still didn't have a name. We finally decided to each list our top 5 names and compare our lists. We both had Dylan because we had previously mentioned it so we went with that. His middle name is from the baseball player Lou Gehrig (also where the disease came from but I don't really like to think about that). 

On July 22nd I went to the doctor for my appointment and  I was at a 4 almost 5. I was asked why I hadn't been induced. I said I would rather it happen on its own but if nothing had happened early the following week we would she file something. I went home and had more consistent contractions all night but they were really mild. At about midnight I had a bad contraction when I got up to go to the bathroom, and somewhat fell back to sleep for another half hour. At 12:30 I had another contraction and decided to wake Colby up to give him a warning. If I was really going to keep having contractions I wanted to take Jack to Colby's parents. I didn't want to be dropping him off at 3 in the morning or something. After being awake for about 10 minutes I found the contractions were about 3 minutes apart, so Colby said we were just going to the hospital then instead of waiting. He tried calling his family to give them a heads up that we were bringing Jack by and nobody would answer. He finally got ahold of his sister and when he told her we were dropping Jack off and heading to the hospital she asked why. Colby was so annoyed with her.

We checked into the hospital about 1:40 AM, and they said I was only at a 5. I was thinking at that point I would get an epidural because it seemed it would take a while. Within 10 minutes I was almost at an 8, so they called the doctor in and started to get everything set up. They asked one last time if I wanted an epidural but said it probably wouldn't kick in before the baby came. The doctor also said she wouldn't break my water until she was dressed and ready to catch him because it would happen that fast. She got ready, I was at a 10, pushed for 5 minutes and he was here at 2:35 AM. Very painful and terrifying, but I am glad it was fast and I didn't wait for the epidural. She said Dylan got here before they could process my paperwork! We had about a half hour alone then my parents showed up and then no more visitors until that afternoon (still didn't get much sleep though). We left the hospital on Pioneer Day and were greeted by parade crowds lining the streets when we got to Spanish Fork. 

A few things I have learned/re-learned having two children:

*I only had to get pooped on twice in one day to re-learn how to change diapers fast. 

*Maybe be a little more discrete about getting milk for a baby when you have a 2 year old. 

*The delivery without and epidural was an amazing experience, but I didn't realize how bad it hurts afterwards when they press on your stomach and do all they have to do. 

*I have an amazing husband who I wouldn't trade for anything. 

*Jack and I would not have survived without a nearly finished basement because I hardly dare take two kids to the back yard. We are both a little stir crazy.

*I will never dare live far from a hospital while I am having children. 

*I am hopelessly addicted to Dr Pepper.