What we've been waiting so long for...

Evan Edward McNeil was born Monday, May 17 at 1:47 pm. The delivery could not have gone any better. First some pictures then the story.

We went in Monday morning for the induction at 7am. I was 3 cm dilated, 70% effaced, and he was at a -1 station. They began pitocin at 8. Dr Meritt broke my water around 8:30. Contractions quickly became intense. I had an epidural at 10:45. At 11:30, I was 5 cm and 90%. My parents and sister brought Luc up. I called the nurse around 1 because I thought I had to go to the bathroom (NUMBER 2). She said she would come check me because it sounded like the baby was dropping. At 1:20, I was "complete" (10 cm, 100%, +1). She told me not to push because nothing in the room was ready. Two more nurses ran in to set up. Dr Meritt came in and I began pushing at 1:35. Evan was born at 1:47.

This was definitely a blessing for the end of this pregnancy. For those of you who know what happened when I had Luc, this experience has been so much different. I have been walking the halls and doing so much more than I could even think about doing after I had Luc.

Thank you so much for all the prayers!!!

38 weeks!!!

Who knew that we would have made it to 38 weeks pregnant 2 months ago? We're here! This will probably be my last pre-baby post. Hopefully, the next post will be pictures of a healthy beautiful baby.

We have to be at the hospital in the morning at 6:30 for the induction. I'm hoping that these contractions will become regular tonight/early in the morning and I will go into labor on my own. If that doesn't happen, I am praying for a much quicker less-traumatic delivery than last time.

Here is our last pregnancy picture...

and the timelines...

32 weeks, 36 weeks, 38 weeks

37 week update

I had a very uncomfortable night last night. We debated on calling the nurse. I was having 6-8 contractions every hour but then I wouldn't have a contraction for 30 minutes or so. I was also feeling lots of pressure. I felt so sure that I would go in for my doctor visit today and be at least a little further along.

NO. It was so frustrating. I am still at 2 cm dilated and 60% effacement. They do want to check me once more before the big day Monday. I will go in Thursday afternoon. We'll see if anything changes between now and then.

I also felt sure that something would happen today because of my luck. Today, Dr Meritt is off. Tomorrow Brian and I are having a brunch date while Luc is in preschool. Tomorrow night is my diaper shower/girls night out that I am really looking forward to. Wednesday, Brian will be on campus. Thursday, Brian has to give a final and it's our anniversary/date night. And my parents won't get here until the weekend. So if something is going to happen, it's going to happen today, tonight, or in the morning.

Another video

Here is another video. You can really see his feet and knees now. The best part of the video is after the camera goes from Luc back to my belly. He stretches his foot across my side.


a big kick from Noelle McNeil on Vimeo.

What a difference...

Multiple days a week of chicken buscuit breakfast at Chick-fil-a AND late after snacks of 10 pc McNugget meals from McDonalds will make. That's what I blame my massive swelling during my pregnancy with Luc on. And I was driving 180 miles every day to/from work.

Check out my huge face at 37 weeks pregnant with Luc

I noticed this morning that my nose is getting a little bigger but it doesn't compare to last time.

And these...

...not this time

36 weeks!

12 wks, 16 wks, 20 wks, 24 wks, 28 wks

32 wks, 36 wks

Yep it's a true blessing from God! I have made it to 36 weeks. I think I saw that every week but it's true. I was not suppose to make it this far...according to doctors. Dr DeStefano and Dr Meritt were both very happy to see me this morning...still pregnant.

I feel fine except for tiredness. I am also having contractions a good bit but they aren't usually painful. I am not sleeping well at night at all. I wake up about 6-10 times a night to go to the bathroom...sometimes I wake up twice within the same hour. I have also been having more contractions at nighttime which wake me. Sometimes I can't go back to sleep so I lay there for a while. This same thing happened with Luc. I felt more rested after I had Luc than during the last month of pregnancy.

Dr DeStefano said he looks great on ultrasound. The placenta still looks great. There is good blood flow in the umbilical cord. This sweet little baby weighs about 6 lb 13 oz. It is becoming more difficult to see him on the 3&4D u/s because he is getting plump and squished. Here he is sticking his tongue out.

So May 17th is a go unless I have him before then. I am about 2 cm dilated, my cervix is thinned, and he has dropped. Dr Meritt thinks I may go into labor on my own before the 17th. Even if I don't, I am so excited to have a date to see and hold this baby. We are so ready for him to be here.