Introducing: SETH DAVID DUNAWAY

Seth David Dunaway

Born: Wednesday, December 15th at 8:42am

Stats: 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches long

We are thrilled to have another little boy in our house. He is so sweet. I love to sit and hold him or lay on the bed next to him and watch him look around. Having a newborn always brings a peaceful sweet spirit to our home and Seth made this Christmas extra special and meaningful.

Labor started weeks before and at each doctor's appointment I was a centimeter further along. I ran at the gym on December 14th and when I got home, I could tell that I just wasn't feeling myself. Luckily, I had a doctor's appointment later that day. At the appointment I was at 4 centimeters, but the doctor still thought I probably had a few days or even a week because I wasn't having steady or even painful contractions.

That night around 11:30, the contractions were 7 minutes apart. I laid down to see if they would stop, but by 1:00am they were 5 minutes apart. Denying that I was in labor and not wanting to inconvenience anyone in the middle of the night, I rationalized that I could make it until morning. At 2:00am, I finally woke Dave to tell him that contractions were 3 minutes apart and I was leaking amniotic fluid. He called our dear, sweet friend to come stay with the boys and we left for the hospital. The normally 30 minute drive to the hospital took us an hour because of the snow and the roads that had yet to be plowed. This was the most excruciating drive of my life. Contractions were now 2 minutes apart and in my back. I feared that I might have to deliver on the side of the road.

We did finally make it and entered through the Emergency Room. Shockingly, no one was there and Dave had to poke around until he found someone to help us. I finally got the long awaited epidural at around 4:00am and then both Dave and I were able to relax. It was important to me that my water break on it's own and that I not be given any pitocin, but rather just let nature take it's course. I snoozed a bit and munched on ice chips and suckers. At around 8:00am I was on the phone with another amazing friend, arranging a ride to Preschool for Porter, when I could tell that I needed to push. 40 minutes later our little Seth said "hello" by screaming his lungs out. He is a beautiful, healthy little baby.