Baby Creed
born January 17, 2013
10# 14oz
22″
By the time I published my post on packing a bag for a hospital birth and got headed to my OB appointment that day, I knew things were getting started. I had been contracting fairly regularly for over 24 hours and when the contractions didn’t stop at the Dr’s office, my OB felt we had about a 48 hour window before I would be in full fledged labor.
Around 8pm on the 16th, things stalled out and I tried to take heart in knowing this happens quite frequently for me and usually once things get back to moving again, it gets pretty intense.
Intense would be an understatement.
Around 11:30 pm, I had a pretty decent contraction. Around midnight, they started in fast and furious with only about 15 minutes in between. Next thing I knew, they were only a couple of minutes apart and extremely painful.
At 2:00 am, I managed to wake my sleepy husband (adrenaline is a beautiful thing, let me tell you!) and we headed out the door. Now, here’s the part I don’t care to ever relive. We had a 40 minute drive to the hospital. There was a part of me that wasn’t real sure I could make it. Ty had things in the vehicle just in case we couldn’t make it, but I wasn’t in the mood for a roadside birth and purposely (yes, purposely) forced myself to NOT relax because I knew the second I relaxed, things would progress beyond what I could handle in a car.
Ty got behind a mail delivery truck (oh, the irony) that happened to be speeding and rode in his wake for a while with me howling and moaning the whole way. The contractions just would not let up (something that has only happened to me twice before). I finally told him I thought we needed to call the hospital so we didn’t end up standing at the front desk for 15 minutes like the last time. Well, Ty couldn’t readily find the phone number to the hospital and drive at the same time, and I wasn’t going to be searching the internet anytime soon, so he called 911.
Not the smartest thing we’ve ever done.
Love the service 911 performs, but the questions they asked would have been hilarious had I not been in labor. They asked if I was awake. (Remember, I’m hollering!) They asked if Ty was with me. (See previous parenthesis.) They asked Ty to pull over when he was only blocks from the hospital. I heard them say that and hollered, “Don’t you dare pull over!”
Finally, we pull into the hospital parking garage and after a little confusion over how to actually get in the hospital, we met a nice lady coming out who grabbed me a wheelchair and pointed us in the right direction. (Later, my dear husband would pay this service forward when he met a young couple in labor in the parking garage the next day.)
Thankfully, the 911 dispatcher did actually call the hospital, so when we got there, they were expecting us. They also had orders to call my OB immediately because last time she did not make it to the birth.
At this point, I’m starting to try to get myself to a place where I can relax and while the contractions still continued to pile on top of each other, I wasn’t quite as bad off. However, I could not labor as I usually do because the things I usually do just were not working. Plus, we knew from previous labors, that my best chance at having another successful VBA2C involved me laboring semi-reclined. I decided to take an epidural because the VBAC is more important to me than an unmedicated birth.
Labor was progressing quite well, but toward the end, we had to start pushing baby from the outside into the proper position because despite being complete, he was not coming down. (thank you, diastasis recti)
And then the game plan changed. I began to feel breathless. And then I felt dizzy. And then the blood pressure cuff set off an alarm. My blood pressure had dropped to 70/30 and I remember closing my eyes and thinking how I knew it was time to push, but there was no way I could do it. Visions of c-sections began to dance through my brain and I wondered how in the world I was going to actually have this baby. They gave me some IV fluids and some medication to bring my blood pressure up and my doctor said as soon as I felt like I could do it, it was time to push. Ty says all of this was only a matter of 10 minutes or so, but in my head, it felt like an hour.
I finally felt normal again (Praise the Lord!) and began pushing. After about 6 pushes, my husband announced, “Baby has hair!” He knew that would encourage me because I was really, really wanting a dark haired baby this time (ah, the simple pleasures!). A few more pushes and Baby Creed was here! The whole room burst into, “It’s a BOY!” Yay, my dark-haired little boy born on my Grandpa’s birthday! I was over the moon!
My grandma holding Baby Creed – she was so happy he came on Grandpa’s birthday.
The hospital we delivered at is top-notch and very focused on the mother/father/baby relationship, and we could not have been more pleased with our experience there. They do an hour of skin-to-skin time right after birth where little to no tests/measurements/etc are done. After that, they weighed Creed (I hear the staff was taking bets on how big he was, and several came back later to find out!). They also gave me a full 2 hours of recovery time where they basically left me alone with the lights low and no visitors. It was so nice to just get to sleep and take in my new little boy in all his cuteness! After that, they moved us to a HUGE room that even had a bed for Ty! We spent the next two days drinking in the wonder of our newest addition.
Now, its time to share that wonder with all of you as we introduce Baby Creed to our family and to Raising Arrows! What a joy it has been to share the journey with all of you!
Creed’s Going Home Outfit – picked out by Daddy
(he likes to keep it simple so the baby takes center stage!)
Daddy lovin’ on little Creed
(I’m convinced Ty becomes more and more enamored
with each new little one the more we have!)
Creed snoozing at home.
I could stare at him for hours…
*happy sighs*
Rashida says
Congrats! He is BEAUTIFUL!!!
mary says
congratulations, he is soooo beautiful
Jenni Williams says
Wow! What a story! Glad you avoided the roadside birth and made it there.So much for a smaller baby hey?! Congratulations! Jen x
Amy says
Yeah, not sure a couple of ounces constitutes a smaller baby. 😉
Jodie says
Well done you! Relived my 8th by your description of your car ride…I was thinking “I don’t think we’re going to make it.” I asked Hubby later if I had said that out loud and he said “No…thank goodness. I really would have been stressed!”
Enjoy and bless you and your family.
Beate says
What an adorable little guy! God bless you and your family. I pray for a quick recovery and a lot of fun with the little addition. Kind regards Beate
Drea says
Loved your birth story 🙂 I read it at 5am after feeding my lil dude ;)… The 911 call is hilarious btw
Christine says
Truly riveting story and praise God for the happy ending. God bless you and your beautiful baby! Congratulations.
Lori says
He’s absolutely beautiful! May God grow him into a mighty man of God for His glory!
Tanya-Lilyofthevalley says
He is beautiful and I’m so glad he is here safe and sound! Sounds like you have quite the birth story to share with him one day. Happy baby snuggling!!
Rebecca says
He is precious, Amy – the pictures have truly captured some special moments. I will continue to pray for you and give thanks for the many ways you bless many with the love of Christ
Rachel~ At the Butterfly Ball says
Amy and Ty, Creed is a very pretty name, and he is a beautiful “little” baby! My, you do have big ones don’t you? Congratulations!!!
Julie says
Congratulations!!! He is beautiful!! I would stare at him all day too! He should meet my baby girl I just had. Se was 11 pds 2 ounces 🙂 I share your pain!
Tanya Shenk says
He is so beautiful!! Congratulations!
Mary says
He is beautiful, and I am so thankful the birth turned out the way it did. I admire your composure and how prepared you and your husband were, too.
Babies are such a blessing from GOD. I want another one 😉
congrats, Amy!
Trooppetrie says
precious, I need to read back and see how big your other babies were
Elizabeth says
wow. I am glad it all worked out well and you were able to deliver at the hospital! with no c section! but, wow, what a story! makes me so thankful that we don’t live too far from our hospital. 🙂
he is so precious – hope you are all adjusting well to another newborn in the house.
Shay says
Congratulations! He’s gorgeous! And what an exciting birth story! 🙂
Jessica S. says
So happy for your family! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. Enjoy your precious blessing!
Cathy says
Congratulations on the safe delivery of handsome little Baby Creed! How wonderful that he shares his late Grandfather’s birthday! My Grandmother passed away Jan 1, 2004 and we delivered Monica on Dec 8, 2004. How special it was to phone Grandpa and tell him that we had a new way to celebrate Dec 8, which was the anniversary date of my Grandparents, on the first Dec 8 that Grandma was in heaven. My Grandpa was happy, just as your Grandma is happy. Don’t be surprised if Creed’s mannerisms remind you of your Grandfather. Monica is most like my Grandmother of all our nine kids. Happy celebrating!!! God bless!
Kayla says
He is beautiful! Congratulations! I am glad everything worked out well….but you still got an exciting birth story to share with us all! Love the Daddy shot. 🙂
Tracy @ hall of fame moms says
What a precious little hunk! I’m so happy for you. Great job, woman!
Elaine carson says
Congratulations! I have been following ur blog avidly since I discovered u were due at the same time as me! My little boy was born on 12th jan (due 14th) and I could have written ur birth story as its so similar to my own lol! Little Joshua John was born at 4.32pm after an extremely short labour of 2hrs 30mins. I got 4-5 strong contractions in an hr and then suddenly they were 90 seconds apart, my doula rang for an ambulance as there was no way I would have been able to get into the car and travel the 20min journey! I got G&A once in the ambulance and blue lighted there. As they transferred me from the ambulance bed to labour bed my waters broke and 3mins later his head was born! Speedy but good! A tiddly 7lb14oz compared to your lovely cuddly Creed!
Hope u are enjoying all the newborn cuddles and kisses
God bless
Elaine x
Melissa @ Sisters 'N Cloth says
Congratulations! He is beautiful!! That car ride sounds awful. The longest hospital drive I’ve ever had to make in labor was about 15 minutes, and I thought that was rough!
Jillian says
He’s beautiful Amy! I’m so glad that the birth went smoothly. I’m sure the kids are thrilled 🙂 Enjoy your new baby and Don’t worry about posting, we’ll all be here when you get back. 🙂
Theresa says
Congratulations Amy! I am in tears reading your story and taking in your newest little guy. Enjoy him.
P.S. now I know why my pushing/labor wasn’t as effective as it should be diastisis recti – lightbulb moment. My splint comes today!
Grace Wheeler says
Good job, mama!!! I’m rejoicing with you, Amy!!! He’s very precious!!!
Bren- says
Amy-He is beautiful! Congratulations! Much love, from the Spurlock Tribe
Suanna says
So glad that you made it to the hospital. Thanks for sharing your story. I know if I was in your place my husband would have been feeling like freaking out. He’s a beautiful baby. Your pictures make me excited to meet our newest whenever he/she decides to get here.
Jacki M. says
Congrats! He is so amazing and adorable. What a blessing indeed!
Mindy says
Congratulations on the beautiful baby boy!!! 🙂 What a blessing! It is so nice to ready your story and “live” it with you!
Claudia says
Absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!!!
Meghan Carver says
He’s beautiful! Congratulations, Amy and Ty!
Charlotte Moore says
What a chunk!!! He is a doll!!! Love that dark hair too.
GOD BLESS you all!!!
Laura says
Wow, he’s a chunky little guy 😀 And I thought my little brother James (10 pounds) was big. WOW.
Creed is adorable. Thanks for sharing the pictures (and the story, heh heh).
StacyA says
Amy and Ty, CONGRATS! He is just beautiful! Love all the hair and the birth story was so fun to read.
Blessings, Stacy and Doug
Sherri says
CONGRATULATIONS AMY! He is so precious and I love his name!
What a great birth story… though I’m sure it’s “greater” to be on this side of it! 😉
Tara says
Congratulations on your beautiful baby! I love reading birth stories. 🙂
Mary A. says
What a handsome little guy! I’m holding my four month old in my arms while reading this and now I have visions of a little brother or sister dancing through my head. Ack! What am I thinking?! Must distract myself! 🙂 Congratulations!
Coby says
What a BIG beautiful baby 🙂 ! Love the 911 part of the story. Seriously? Were you awake? Ha! Congratulations! So happy for you!
Jen says
Ahhhh! Congrats guys! Funny, our Jonah was born 11pm on the 17th! Enjoy him and rest up!
tamela says
Thank you for sharing Amy, You rest and may the LORD continue to Bless your family… Baby Creed is going to be a busy boy…
Elizabeth Ours says
Congratulations! He is a BEAUTIFUL baby! Loved reading your birth story! So glad everything turned out so well! and just LOVE IT that God allowed him to be born on his Grandpa’s Day! What a blessing with sprinkles on top!
Jennifer says
He is adorable!
I’m due to have a big baby boy by 2VBAC the day before my late grandpa’s birthday in the beginning of May.
I’m hoping I can make it the extra day, although when it gets closer I’ll probably be wishing I could go sooner. You know how it is. 🙂
Kristin says
What a beautiful baby boy! Congratulations!
Heather N. says
What a cute little man, Amy! Blessings on you and him!
MomMom Hill (from PassionateParent.com) says
Amy-
He is so incredibly beautiful! God bless you and your family!
With Love,
The Hill family
KM Logan says
Congratulations! I love your baby’s name and he’s simply adorable. Praise the Lord for a safe delivery.
Amy @ Finer Things says
Oh, Amy. You have me in tears over here! Birth is always (of course!) a miracle, but golly… when the road is bumpy it just makes those precious new ones that much more AWESOME.
I really think we’re probably done (I sound convincing, huh? Ha!) but oh, that newborn skin, and oh, that newborn smell…. Enjoy every precious second! (I know you will.) 😉
Serenity says
He is GORGEOUS! Also, I am amazed that you delivered such a huge baby! Congratulations to your whole family!!!!
Crystal says
Congratulations! I think he looks a lot like you! Enjoy him!
LEah says
I am so happy for you and your family! What a blessing! I have been following your posts just waiting for this announcement! Praise to God! From our family to yours, Congratulations!!!
dianne says
We really don’t have a full understanding of the word “push” until that moment lol. My third and last was 10 12 so I know how that feels. 🙂 Hugs to the fab momma.
Ashley says
Oh my goodness! He is precious!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations! God Bless!
Valerie says
OHHHHH!!! Congratulations Amy! So very happy for you. Rejoicing with you at the gift of this precious one. I feel that my infertility gives me a greater sense of joy at the arrival of anyone’s new baby! 😉 I am so happy for your family, and love seeing these pictures.
Lisa says
Amy, he is BEAUTIFUL! That was quite a story- you just can’t make up stuff like that 911 call!
Katena says
What a beautiful story. My husband is like yousr each one we have he falls in love more. What a wonderful hospital. Welcome Baby Creed love his name. Congrats on a wonderful birth and a plus to be born on Grandpa’s Birthday.
Andrea says
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I’m laughing, I’m crying – you have me all over the place emotionally!!!! Congratulations – and that is deeply heartfelt even though we don’t even know each other. How awesome is the God we serve? Isn’t it wonderful when you have time to think back on all the aforementioned events and know that He had each nano second in His hand before the beginning of time? He knew. And He blessed you all so abundantly. What a handsome little (Ha!) man. I am so excited for you, your husband, your children, your Grandma, your family. Praying for recovery and health for all.
Abby says
Oh my, congratulations!!! That ride sounds kinda like mine only I had an hour to ride in the van and my water broke all over about halfway there!!!
My husband was really worried but I assured him I was actually more comfortable cuz at least the fluid was warm! haha
Creed is such an awesome name, what is his middle name or does he have one?
Barbie says
He’s absolutely beautiful! Congratulatins!
Angie at homegrownconnects says
Congratulations! I was on the edge of my seat reading through your car trip. What a beautiful baby!!!! Great job!!!!!
Kelly W. says
He is just adorable! Thanks for sharing your birth story. I love reading birth stories and will have my own to tell in about a week. Enjoy him!!!
Shekinah Carmichael says
He’s so perfect. I always cry when I read birth stories, thanks for sharing! God bless you!
olivia hamilton says
Congratulations! He is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this special time with your readers.
Julie says
Congratulations! Yay! May our Heavenly Father bless this baby’s coming and going.
Shalom,
Julie
Emily Spencer says
He’s so gorgeous and perfect! Congratulations to all of you! I LOVE his dark hair 🙂 He has more hair than my 6 month old daughter 😉
Judy @ Contented at Home says
He is absolutely adorable, Amy–congratulations to you and your family!
Kimberly says
Oh, he is just precious. I actually called my husband over to look at that beautiful head of hair. I am laughing at the crazy car ride…and thinking that could be my husband and me in three months. With my last labor, I was blessed that on our 35min. drive to the hospital my contractions somewhat eased up. You are one tough cookie!! Congratulations to all of you!
Jaclyn says
Amy, I must say…I LOVE THE NAME!!!!!!!! Is he wearing 0-3 months or is he able to fit in newborn? I’m trying to pack my bag for the hospital/move…..
Amy says
Thank you! I love the name too! 🙂 He cannot fit in newborn clothes. In fact, only one of my children has been able to and she was born early. 😉
Allison says
He is beautiful! All the best to you, Creed and the rest of the family!
Kari says
Congratulations Amy! He is absolutely scrumptious!! Welcome to the work baby Creed!
Sharon says
Wow Amy, what an amazing story. I love hearing about God’s faithfulness in births. It brought tears to my eyes. He is so beautiful! Enjoy!!
Sara says
Congratulations and God Bless you all!! He’s gorgeous! And so boy-looking. I love it! =D
Amanda says
Oh my goodness! What a beautiful baby boy! Congratulations and great job, mom! Blessings to you and your family.
Carrie says
Congratulations! He’s adorable!
Ralene B says
Congrats! He is adorable with a capital A! lol…
Diana says
Love the name, and that is one beautiful baby! Good job mama, and congratulations!!!!
Mama Mirage says
Well he is just precious! I would be staring at him for hours too if I were you! 🙂
Carolynn Slocum says
Oh I absolutely LOVE his name!! Congrats to you and your family!One of my sweet babies was 10lbs 12 oz. I am so sorry, that is huge! I am laughing at how big he looks in your precious grandma’s arms. So happy that he was born on such a special day.
Stacie @ No Idle Bread says
Oh, Amy!! How precious and sweet is your baby Creed. Congratulations!! How special that he was born on your Grand Pa’s birthday. You all are very blessed. I’m glad you made it to the hospital in time. Take care and enjoy your newest addition.
JenT says
He’s adorable! Glad you had a good birth experience.
Char Grisham says
He is precious!! But are you sure those aren’t pictures of Garin? He is almost a spitten image. Wish we could have seen you before you left town. Maybe soon!
shellie says
congratulations! He’s gorgeous!!
Kelly says
Congratulations to you and your family! I know you are relishing this time and I see that you have 81 comments so I do not want to burden you but maybe sometime when you have time (ha ha) would you mind sharing what made your blood pressure drop during your delivery? I am pregnant with our 11th baby and this one will be my first VBAC. I must admit to some fears about this delivery so when you posted your story it made me wonder how that happens. If you feel you just don’t have time, believe me, I understand. Praying for your transition time with little Creed.
Amy says
We aren’t entirely for sure, but they believe it was the epidural. My OB said usually they see this happen with c-sections.
Josi says
WAY. TO. GO. Okay, so I’m not much for trophies but I would have to give you one this go round! Well, clearly you are holding your trophy! What a blessing. I’m really sentimental about family stuff so I especially love it that he shares his birthday with his great grandpa. I’m putting in a request for a post…. “How to Sleep Through Labor.” I think you are definitely on to something. I sure wish I would have thought to do that! Ha! Congratulations to your whole family.
Nikki R says
Congratulations on another beautiful baby. There is nothing like the freshness of a newborn babe. 🙂 We look forward to meeting baby #10 in early June. Reading your birth story had me on the edge of my chair wondering where the story would go. My hubby has caught three of ours that could not “wait” for the midwife. Congratulations again and enjoy every second of these newborn days they go sooo fast.
Amy Moller says
Your birth story made me smile…and wince…and laugh…((((HUGS)))) Glad you made it! Welcome Creed! You have a beautiful family.
Lacey says
Congratulations!! He is such a beautiful blessing!!
Rachael says
Congratulations! He is precious, very nice name! Love your blog 🙂
Leah says
I don’t know HOW I missed this post. 🙁 He is beautiful, and what a birth story! I love his name and I can’t believe he really DID come on his Grandpa’s birthday!
That is awesome. Congratulations, Amy! He is precious!
Autumn Perio says
I absolutely love Creed’s name! I thought I was being original with my son Lyric’s name but I so would have copied you (sorry) if we were having any more (tear) we have seven and your site has really given me a lot of good advice 🙂 it’s nice to hear good comments instead if negative ones (“you know what causes that” better you than me” etc. Ect.) Congratulations! 🙂
Autumn Perio says
*about big families! Lol
jackie says
congrats!!! he’s beautiful! and love the birth story! we just welcomed #4 on the 20th, right after you…also barely made it to the hospital! like you said, if i had relaxed, we would have had the baby in the car, it’s an hour drive to the hospital..next time i’ll leave much sooner! so awesome that you had a vbac, you don’t hear it often enough! (#3 vbac for me too!)
Melanie says
Congratulations! What a beautiful blessing!
Laura says
Congratulations! I love how you understood you needed to make the decision between a VBAC and an unmedicated birth. Both have their distinct advantages.
Christie Groff says
Your baby is beautiful. He shares a birthdate, birth weight and birth length with my eldest daughter. Made me smile.
Christie Groff says
Oh, I forgot, I have an uncle named Creed, too. 🙂
Amy says
Wow! Really?! How neat. 🙂
Miranda says
How time flies!! YOU HAD YOUR BABY!
I can’t believe he is 6 week already. Such a sweet baby, hope you are doing well.
Reggie says
Oh, that lovely skin to skin notion. They did it with my fifth and during labor with my sixth I informed the nurse that baby and I had been skin to skin for nine months and that was good enough for me.