- On September 14th at 1:22 a.m. Ian and I welcomed Archie (Archibald Brian Fitzsimmons Merritt). In the 11 short days that he’s been with us, we have falled madly, truly, deeply, and quickly in love with him. And it’s true what they say, when you have a child and welcome another, love doesn’t get divided, it simply grows exponentially. No truer words.
- While I’m somewhat coherent (i.e. caffeinated) I want to share some thoughts about the past week and a half so I can look back at this time (that is going by like a blur) with a better recolection of how I’m feeling in this moment.
- The Labor
- After being pregnant in one of (if not the) hottest summers in Chicago’s history, we decided to take our doctor up on the offer to induce labor. The induction was originally set for September 17th (three days past his due date of the 14th) but as the date got closer, I asked to move it up a bit sooner. We were set for 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 13th. We took Teddy to my parents and had a really nice time. We had dinner and Ian and I put him to bed before heading out to the hospital. It felt really comfortable and peaceful, which was perfect since I was anxious leading up to it on how Teddy would be. I shouldn’t have doubted him. What an amazing guy he is.
- We arrived at the hospital, checked in, and by 9:30 they began giving me the Petosin. I asked my doctor when she came in to check on my how long inductions typically take. I had foolishly done some online “research” and was terrified of stories I read about 24-33 hour labors from inductions. My doctor reassured me that since it was my second, and since Teddy was quick, I’d probably be looking at 6-12 hours, though she said the fastest delivery she had was only four hours.
- By 11 p.m. my contractions were coming fast and furious; it was time for the epidural. Within the 20 minutes it took for them to get the epidural in place the pain went from bad to ungodly. And then, like magic, it was gone. I wanted to hug the anesthesiologist I told her she was like Santa Claus. My doctor came back to check on me and said she’d be back in a few hours to see how I was progressing. Before she left, she told me to let the nurse know if I started to feel a strong pressure as that could indicate it was time to push. She left around 12 midnight and I actually was able to take a little bit of a snooze. Ian was also sleeping as we anticipated a long night ahead. No sooner had I started to doze off than sure enough, I felt a crazy amount of pressure and had an instinctual need to push. I called for the nurse, who called my doctor; it was not even 1 a.m. (less than an hour after she had left). She checked me out and sure enough, she said the baby was right there.
- I was told to hold tight as they prepped the room and themselves. Then, by about 1:15 a.m. I was in position to start pushing. I gave one big push and Ian said he could see the head. I pushed about four more times and by 1:22 p.m. Archie entered the world. I also beat the previous record, clocking in at a 3 hour and 52 minute induction delivery. I have a bionic uterus!
- Unlike when Teddy was born (Teddy had meconium in the womb and had to be taken away as soon as he was born to be cleaned and ensure he hadn’t inhaled any of the fumes), I was able to have Archie put right on my chest from the moment he came out. And it was the most amazing, surreal experience. This little (or big, he clocked in at 9 pound an 21.5″ long) guy was amazing, still covered in all the fluids and blood, but so amazing and precious. We were able to bond for a while and he took to nursing with no problem. It was just amazing, those first couple of hours with Ian and Archie, wrapping our brains around how miraculous he was and how our lives are so much better with him in them.
- Coming Home
- In the week and a half since, we’ve been going through that blind tango of a routine, trying to replicate some sort of a normal schedule for Teddy, while trying to keep up with the needs of a newborn, and sneak in a little sleep when we can. I have to say, doing this all with an active, excited, loving, and curious toddler is a whole new experience from the last time, but in a good way. Ian and I have been making a lot of efforts to spend time with Teddy and the fact that I’m no longer pregnant and can really get back down to his level has been amazing. I realize now how limited I was being pregnant and how great it is to be able to do more stuff with him. We’ve gone on ‘spider hunt’ walks, gone to the park, gone apple-picking, and playing in the backyard. And Archie is making it really easy for us as he proves to be a happy, mellow baby. I will say that his sleep routine could use some work (I think he has his AM and PM confused) but we’ll figure it out.
- We had Ian’s parents in town with us for a week which was really terrific. They were great about helping with Teddy, cleaning, chores, and holding Archie so I could take naps. We are going to head out to Vermont later this fall to see them again and so Archie can meet his great grandparents and hopefully his cousins and aunt and uncle.
- My sisters were also in town, which was so terrific. Maeve had been planning on coming all along, but Ellen was coerced at the last minute and she hopped on a flight from Durham Saturday morning. To have them here to meet Archie and show Teddy lots of love meant so much. And to have my parents support, and continued support, keeps us going. I don’t know how we’d do it without them here for us.
- Moving Forward
- I know that the one thing I can expect is that I have no idea how this is all going to play out. I’m embracing it all on a day-to-day existence, which is somewhat challenging given my Type A tendencies, but it helps to not over think, plan, or anticipate things because there’s a better chance than not it will all change.
- What I do know is that I couldn’t feel more blessed to have such an amazing family. Ian has been wonderful. He gets up with Archie at night to help after I feed him, he’s been so thoughtful and considerate to my own adjustments (both physical, emotional, hormonal, etc…), and he’s such an incredible dad to Teddy. I can’t imagine embarking down this journey without him. And we have these two boys that I look at and wonder how I’ve ended up with the most perfect sons. I can’t wait to watch them grow up, watch their bond and friendship grow, and watch them become their own individual selves, discovering their own paths through life.
- PS- we have gotten a few questions about his name… We love Archie and as we continued looking into it more, we liked the older Archibald to Archer as a formal name. Brian was Ian’s uncle that we wanted to pay tribute to. Fitzsimmons is my dad’s mother’s maiden name. And then there’s Merritt. I know, it’s a mouthful, but as someone who spent her first 26 years alive as Catherine Mary Whelan-Wuest, I am a fan of robust names!
Sounds like you are doing great! You will be so glad you got this written down. Life with two boys is full steam ahead and I know you and Ian are up for it! Enjoy!