Harrison "Bragan" Gray, Junior...the birth story

We are so excited to report that Bragan has arrived! So here's how the story goes...


At my 38 week appointment on Thursday October 7, I was told that I was 4 cm dilated and could go any minute. Well at my 39 week appointment the following Monday (October 11) there was no change. So on Tuesday we decided to go ahead and schedule an induction for Friday October 15 since Madison had the day off from school. I told Harrison that I just knew he was going to come now that we had decided to "plan" it...and I was right! I woke up at about 2 am Wednesday morning (October 13) because my water had broken in my sleep. I told Harrison and we proceeded to run around like chickens with our heads cut off to get out the door. Madison was sound asleep upstairs, but was able to wake up and get herself dressed and ready to go quickly. We dashed out the door after grabbing a few last minute things as most of our bags had already been packed and put in the car. I remember that I had woken up at 2:04 and we were in the car by 2:25 and at the hospital by 2:45am. We called the doctor and our families on the way to let them know the baby was coming!

On the way to the hospital, I started having some mild contractions but nothing serious. When we got to the hospital we zipped up to L&D and checked in as my contractions started getting worse. By the time I was all hooked up to the monitors I was having contractions every 5 minutes. The doctor came in and checked me and I was 5 cm. I told them that I wanted to go ahead and get things moving for the epidural since I did not get it in time with Madison. They told me we had to get a CBC and I had to have a bolus of fluids first and that the anesthesiologist was busy in the ER anyways. I just knew that meant bad news for me! After about an hour of pretty strong contractions that were 1-2 minutes apart, I started to feel a lot of pressure. The doctor checked me and I was 8 cm dilated. The anesthesiologist came in a few minutes later and said it was late for the epidural, but it might help with the pushing. Well, that epidural was the worst part of the entire night because it is nearly impossible to hunch over on the side of the bed without moving when you are having contractions 1 minute apart and are fully dilated. As soon as he finished, it was time to push and let's just say the epidural kicked in about 10 minutes after the baby was born! Fortunately, I only had to push for about 5-10 minutes before he arrived.
Bragan came into the world with a good, strong cry weighing in at 8 pounds, 3.5 ounces and 21 inches long at 4:43 am. That's right, water broke at 2 am and baby born at 4:43...what a whirlwind! Since then, things have been a blur of cuddling, feeding, dirty diapers, and trying to squeeze some sleep in there somewhere. We are so in love with this little cutie and cannot believe he is here. Madison is adjusting well to not being the only child and has been doting on her baby brother nonstop. She is so sweet to him and for the most part has been handling not getting all the attention well. I am so proud of my big girl and I know she has so many cool things to teach her baby brother! We are so amazed at this incredible blessing God has entrusted us with. What a miracle!