God Bless Us, Everyone!

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We have so much to be grateful for. Love you!

Atticus Todd

Hello loved ones! I guess it is time you get some details of the birth of our baby. If your not into details, skip ahead. (Don't worry, I won't get too detailed ;) The labor and delivery went perfect in some ways, and not so perfect in others. It all started just as I wished it would, but totally did not think it would happen. My water broke at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday the sixth. I woke up Todd and we headed to St. Marks Hospital in a snow storm, of course. We got to the hospital and I held off on getting an epidural until close to 11:00 a.m. because the nurses said it would slow contractions. Which it did. (* I have to make a disclaimer before you read this, specially if you have never had a baby. My experience with an epidural was not typical, so don't think that it is! I still think an epidural can make labor a much more enjoyable experience for most who choose that route. Ok, moving on.) Once I got my epidural, my contractions started spacing out so they put me on petocin. It didn't take too long for me to realize the epidural had some issues. My legs were getting very warm, tingly and finally completely numb, but unfortunately it was just my legs, which I became very aware of when the nurse my put catheter in. For about 4 hours, things were very miserable. The epidural was numbing my legs to the point where they literally could have chopped them off and I wouldn't have know it, but I could still feel most of the labor pains and the catheter, which they finally just removed because it was hurting so badly. I was starting to wish I didn't have the epidural because I couldn't even move positions or anything to try and relieve pain from the contractions. The nurse was mad at the anesthesiologist, and wanted him to re-do my epidural, but at this point I was feeling very ready to push. Only problem was, I couldn't even wiggle my toes. But we decided to go ahead and start pushing, the nurse holding one leg up and Todd the other. After two hours of pushing, and really not getting too far, the doctor (who ended up being a male on call doctor) decided to do an episiotomy. I was not happy about that, but he talked me into it when he gave me the other option of pushing for another 2 hours and most likely tearing anyway! So I agreed. Only problem was, I could feel it, of course! So he gave me some topical shots and did the episiodomy and our baby came within minutes. I can admit now the it was a good call on the doctor's part. Atticus was born at 6:15 p.m. Sunday night.


The entire experience is so unreal. The minute that baby is handed to you an unexplainable feeling takes over. I think it would be impossible not to cry!

Daddy gave him his first bath, I love how Todd is just staring at him adoringly.




Going Home

Sleeping with Daddy. I could not have done this without Todd, which is how every wife probably feels about her husband after delivering a baby. I can not imagine not having his support. He did as much as the nurses did, and renewed my energy when I needed it most. I love you Todd, and baby Atticus!

Now He's Really Here!!!

Annie will definitely post more pictures of this guy but I had to put this one up. This is right after his first sponge bath at the hospital, about 1 hour after delivery. I have no idea who he looks like, and I don't know where he got the light brown hair. He is 7 lbs 5 oz and 18 1/2 inches long. His name is Atticus Todd Crowther, and he already makes us laugh. We actually just got home an hour ago and Atticus and Annie are doing great. There will be more to come shortly. All I can say is that the creation of a baby is a true miracle. Little Annie is a trooper!

He is here!

Just kidding! Ok, I know that really isn't funny, but I have to keep a sense of humor right now. The doctor says she won't induce me until the 11th, and it may easily take that long. Not what I wanted to hear, so I had to have a little fun with you. BUT....I had lunch today at my favorite Chinese restaurant and this is what my fortune cookie said. Drum role please....

"Your efforts are budding - results will appear soon."

How appropriate? I think those things really do work.