It's been a big day, Mom

Today was the first day of First Grade for Tyrus! He was so excited and ready to go, although he did show some signs of nerves. Yesterday, we were just going to relax and enjoy Labor Day. Josh was headed to our friends house for a LAN party and I was going to deal with the house and do some laundry and just try to get everything ready in anticipation of the hectic week to come. Well, that's not what happened!

About ten or so, my sister Destiny called to say she thought she was in labor and that they were headed to the hospital. After a few quick arrangements (thanks Dennis & Mary Lou!) I was able to make it down there. She was having contractions, but that didn't seem intense enough to be the "real thing," at least in my opinion. They checked her after awhile and she wasn't progressing, so they sent us home. The mid-wife on call said she thought we'd be back before the night was out...

In the mean time, I went back home and tried to focus on the six baskets of clean clothes that needed to be folded. My ILs kept the kids still, since Carsten was asleep. I got almost all of it done when Des called to say that she was still having contractions and wasn't sure what to do. She'd called the hospital again, but they said to try and wait it out a bit more. I decided at that point that I'd go collect the kids and head to Alex & Theresa's house for the cook-out as originally planned.

The whole time we were there, I felt jittery because I knew at any time Des could call to say the contractions had picked up in frequency, and or intensity... No call came, and so I called.

Rey said they had walked all through Meijer and the mall and Destiny was feeling tired and was going to take a bath. Josh and I decided that we'd head home and get Ty ready for school and just wait out the night.

Once the kids were in bed and all the lunches were made and everything was set for the next day, I decided I was going to get in the shower. Again I expected Josh to come in at anytime to tell me that Rey was on the phone. Sure enough, just as I was getting dressed, Rey called to say that Destiny couldn't talk through the contractions. Since Rey doesn't drive, I knew I had about 3 minutes and 24 seconds to get my hair dry and be out the door to pick them up! Talk about a rush!!

Thanks to Rey's dad who kept Dominque, we were able to make it to the hospital in time. They checked her and said she'd made change and she could stay!!

Des continued laboring all through the night. We all took turns staying up with her and then taking turns dozing off here and there. Not a lot happened over night, except that the contractions kept coming and coming.

Around 7 or so, I decided that since not a lot was happening, and they were having her get up and walk, I was going to head home and pick up Tyrus from Josh and take him to school! He was so excited and raring to go, and I was feeling very bleary. I grabbed a quick bite of cereal and we were out the door!

I took a few pictures and kissed him good-bye. As I was leaving, I got so choked up!! A teacher said to me, "Don't worry - he'll be okay!" I said, "I know!! That's why I'm crying!!" :)

Through my tears, I headed back to the hospital to find out that while I'd been gone, she'd made progress and they'd broken her water at around 8:45!! Woo hoo! We were going to have a baby today!

The labor progressed and the pain became more intense. Dana arrived. The mid-wife arrived along with the newborn cart. Before we knew it, at 12:23, Josiah Rey Mata was born! Yay!

I had the privilege of giving him his first bath which was really, really special. That was neat and I didn't expect to do that at all.

After Destiny was moved up to the Mother Baby Unit, I decided it was time for me to go. Ty was getting out of school soon, and I wanted to be there to pick him up.The school was super busy, but soon, I spotted my baby boy standing there all grown-up looking by his new teachers. He got in the car and I told him about his new cousin, and then I asked him how his day was. He said to me, "I'm tired Mom. It's been a big day." And I said to him, "You're right. It has been a big a very big day... :)