Brayden's Birthday Story

It all started on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Mommy dropped Bryson off at his Parent’s Day Out School and headed to Dr. Blair for one of her last appointments before Brayden’s arrival. At the appointment Dr. Blair said we were at 2 cm and ready to go for our scheduled induction on Thursday (March 10th). He went ahead and stripped the membranes to get things going a little easier on Thursday. We were to check in to the hospital at 6 AM and that was that. While at the doctor’s office, mommy received a call from Bryson’s school letting us know he was running a fever. Mommy went and picked him up and made a doctors appointment that afternoon where we found out he had strep throat. Luckily daddy wasn’t too busy and was able to help mommy out as she went and got a pedicure and rested the rest of the day- she was unusually tired that day. (She was saving Wednesday as her day to do laundry, pack, shave, etc- all the last minute things before the big day!) As we went to bed that night, Bryson seemed to be getting worse and worse with his temperature and mood so we put him in bed with us to keep an eye on him. Around 2 AM mommy started to get contractions (which was normal around this time of the pregnancy) and like many times before she started to time them (with a cool app on her phone J). Around 2:13 am the contractions got stronger and so she moved to the living room couch to wait them out so as not to wake up Bryson or daddy. As time went on they got stronger and more frequent going from 5 minutes apart to 2 minutes apart. Reality then set in that this was it- this was the real deal. After timing them for about 45 minutes, mommy went and woke daddy up, saying, “This is it- let’s go- for real!” And surprisingly daddy jumped out of bed and started helping mommy pack and get ready to go. We called Yaya and Papo to wake them up and get them going because the contractions continued to get worse and worse. Papo stayed behind with Bryson who was still sleeping in our bed and Yaya followed us to the hospital. Daddy ran every red light on the way to the hospital and screaming mommy in the passenger seat did not mind. We checked in rather quickly (its amazing how fast everyone moves when there is a woman in labor). We asked for the epidural right away and they assured us it would come soon (but in the back of mommy’s mind, she had the fear they were just saying that to calm her down). In the mean time they gave us a bunch of paperwork to fill out (not fun when you have contractions going off the charts- why did we pre-register again?) and checked on mommy who had already gotten to 5 cm. Finally around 5:30 AM mommy got her epidural and everyone was allowed to talk and breath again. (Daddy and Yaya are very patient people!) At this point we waited and waited until it was time to push. Mommy had a lot of great nurses, one of which asked if it were okay if an intern from UT watched and helped out with the delivery (there were two that had never seen a delivery before) Mommy agreed it was okay. After that another nurse came in and asked if it were okay if another intern came in to watch. And then another came and asked the same thing… and another. Needless to say, Brayden, you were born to quite the audience (luckily they were all wearing burnt orange otherwise mommy would have said no). Everyone was taking bets on the time but finally at 9:40 AM mommy said it was time to push. They called for Dr. Blair who was over at his office and said he would be right over. That was the longest wait especially when you have a little boy who has a mind of his own and wants to come out when he says its time. Mommy finally told the nurse she couldn’t wait anymore so the nurse let her start to push. After just one push the nurse then informed us that we better wait for Dr. Blair to come in, because Brayden was coming out after another push or so. Luckily, Dr. Blair came rushing in. He told mommy to go ahead and start pushing as he got ready and cleaned up. But after another push, he turned around and yelled, “NO WAIT! Don’t Push!” To which mommy replied, “WHAT!!! I CAN’T STOP! HE’S COMING!!!” He ran over to the bed and after another push, caught Brayden as he came out and placed him on mommy’s belly. It was 9:51 AM when the little miracle we know as Brayden Travis Parker came into our lives. He was perfect- had lots of dark hair, the cutest little nose, big feet and was wide awake looking at everything. After he was cleaned up and given some shots (which was the only time we really heard him cry at the hospital) he spent some time with mommy and daddy. Pop, Papo & Aunt April were in the waiting room and came in shortly after that. Nana was at home watching Bryson but was able to sneak away for a bit to come see you as well (Bryson had to wait 24 hours so that he wouldn’t be contagious). That whole day was filled with visitors and love. Even all the interns couldn’t get enough of you! You were great, you slept through the night and ate like a champ. We were able to leave on Thursday around lunch and went straight home so that big brother Bryson could meet you. Bryson was still feeling under the weather but was excited to finally see you. He ran straight to you and stared. Ever since we brought you home, he loves to look at you and tell you that he loves you. He likes to pet your head and check on you when you’re in the crib. I’m sure he can’t wait until you are a little older so you two can play for hours and hours. We are all so happy and all so blessed to have you in our lives. Our family is more complete because of you.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 will always be a treasured day for mommy and daddy.
This is the day we got all 7 lbs. 14 oz of beautiful Brayden Travis Parker!

At this point, pictures were finally allowed to be taken:

Mommy has her medicine and everyone can smile again! :)

Yaya helping mommy out:

Patiently waiting...

HE'S HERE! March 9, 2011, 9:51 AM:

Fresh out of the oven, 7 lbs 14 oz:

Dr. Blair- Great catch and release doc!

Hello Daddy!

Hello Mommy!

Staring in amazement- How blessed we are!





Pop meeting Brayden:




Papo meeting Brayden:

Yaya and Papo with Brayden:

Aunt April meeting Brayden:

Part of Brayden's audience & baby nurse Jennifer:

Another intern- He did great for his first time in a labor/delivery

Nurse Ann- She was the nurse that almost had to deliver Brayden:

Nana is here! Nana meeting Brayden:




Chillin in the nursery:

Pastor Karen and Pastor KP:

Grandpa and Grandma:

Kayla (KK), Devin (DD) and Uncle Craig:

Uncle Jimmy:

Uncle Bobbo:

Ready to go home:

Our little family- SO BLESSED! :

Big Bro Bryson opening his gifts from Brayden:

Checking on his little bro in the crib:

Memaw was in Vegas during the birth but she came over as soon as she could to meet little Brayden:

Aunt Krista:

Big Cousin Tristen:

Travis and Ashley:

Thank you for all your love and support, those pictured and those yet to be pictured. We are so lucky to have such great family and friends who love and care for us!

Its been an amazing journey so far and we are so thankful for all of God's blessings he's given us.