Birthday Cinnamon Roll

It was the day before thanksgiving when I awoke with some light but legit feeling contractions. I laid in bed timing the contractions on an app on my phone. Not too close together but strong enough to keep me from falling back asleep. I felt a POP and felt a gush. Oh ok this is happening. I got up and went to the bathroom. Yep my water broke. I changed clothes and went and cleaned the kitchen. I had been too tired the night before to clean up our dinner mess and who wants to leave the house for a day or two and return with a new baby to a dirty kitchen?

I called labor and delivery. I told them I was having contractions and my water broke. When was my due date? Yesterday. Ok come on, we will be ready for you. I made sure I had our bags ready and texted my family. I woke Arrmon up. Hey, my water broke. He said ok and went back to sleep. I tried again. HEY MY WATER BROKE FOR REAL WE NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. He was up this time.

My contractions still weren’t very painful, so it wasn’t a big deal to me when we realized we forgot arrmon’s ipad and turned around to get it. Plus, I had a very false idea that these relatively pain free contractions meant I had a high pain tolerance, and this would be easy.

We got to the hospital. Checked in. I walked myself to the room they were putting us in even though everyone insisted I get in a wheelchair. For a few minutes I think they were trying to send us home because they said my water didn’t really break but….something about two amniotic sacs…. then my water broke FOR REALLLL THIS TIME AND OMG THE PAIN.

Thankfully I have forgotten the pain enough so that I am unable to describe it. Leighann was there and I think she described me as THE HULK. Arrmon was trying to help in any way possible and I think I was ruder to him than I have ever been to anyone in my life.  I do remember the relief I felt the second that 47-inch needle went in my back for an epidural.

The rest of it was probably the easiest and most desired medicated birth anyone could ever hope for. My parents, sisters, angie, and aunt judy all were there, and we really just hung out and told stories for a few hours. I was much nicer to Arrmon the rest of the day.

Then it was time to push. Everyone left the room. Arrmon held one leg, the nurse held the other. I think I would push for like 10 seconds then take a break. I don’t remember exactly how it went. Then the doctor and about a hundred other people came in and I basically played tug of war with the doctor and a towel for a few minutes and somehow a baby popped out. Somehow also bruised my tailbone.

Maverick Redd. 8 pounds and 7 ounces and the biggest cheeks a newborn has ever had. I knew that becoming a mother would be life changing but I didn’t know how much one little boy would teach me and help me grow.

Now, at 4 years old, he is the smartest and most caring kid. He takes a while to warm up to people, but once he starts loving someone, he loves them HARD. A few months ago, I had an eye injury and basically couldn’t function for a couple days and he did nothing but lay next to me and tell me he was helping me feel better. He loves to ride his bike and go running with his dad. He is a pickier eater than I could ever have imagined possible. His sister is his best friend and favorite wrestling opponent. He brings so much joy, light, and laughter into our lives.

Happy birthday to our boy! We love you so much Bubby! 

I asked Maverick what he wanted for his special breakfast birthday….. his reply…. one egg. So, I told him he could have one egg plus something else and he chose a cinnamon roll. I made him this fun BIG cinnamon roll that we all shared, plus about half of it is leftover. Click the recipe below for a printable, save-able version.