Catch up on all my pregnancy updates:
Vegan Pregnancy Update {39 weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {38 weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {37 weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {36 weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {35 weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {34 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {33 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {32 weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {31 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {30 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {29 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {28 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {27 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {26 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {25 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {24 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {23 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {22 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {21 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {20 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {19 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {18 Weeks} Vegan Pregnancy Update {17 Weeks}

Same same but different!
Oliver was born at Novant Presbyterian Hospital on October 6th at 5:25pm. He weighed albs 11oz and was 21 inches long. It was not the birth story I was expecting but it brought us baby Oliver and we couldn’t be more grateful.
October 5, 2017
9:00 pm Daniel and I took full advantage of the Harvest Moon and took a walk around the block. I even jogged (Daniel called it ‘shuffled’) part of the way. I was 39 weeks and 4 days and was ready to meet our precious one. Looking back – I think just a walk in the moonlight would have been a better choice.

Last picture with Oliver inside!
October 6, 2017
3:00 pm After what felt like forever, getting in and out of warm baths and laboring in my own bed, my contractions were still about 1-2 minutes apart and 30-45 seconds long. At this point they were pretty painful and I had a lot of back labor. Every contraction my mom or Daniel would need to apply lots of pressure on my lower back – on either side of my spine. My mom phoned Baby + Co. again and they said in order to come back again I needed to have contractions for an hour that were 1 minute long and about 1-2 minutes apart. I really just wanted to get there, especially knowing we had a 25-30 minute drive.

Well this is flattering 😉
5:25 pm After about four pushes with the contractions, baby Deane came flying out and Daniel got to cut the cord. He also got to exclaim, “It’s a boy!” The resuscitation team whisked off our screaming baby to get checked out and I delivered the placenta which was much easier than I expected. I had a level two degree tear which I got stitched up and then they handed me our son. It was just unbelievable. They laid him on my chest and I just blurted out in soft sobs, “I don’t know anything about how to take care of you, but I’m going to try my best.” I looked at Daniel and said that this was our son Oliver Alexander Deane.

7lbs 11oz, 21cms
He was alert for quite a few hours and it was still hard to fathom that he was just in my tummy. I was very glad to be in the hospital where the nurses could help us suction all the sticky fluid that kept coming up in his mouth. It was so scary watching him choke on it all through the night. We hardly got any sleep obviously.

Skyping with family in SA from the hospital.
What I didn’t realize was that the labor and delivery was not the hardest part. Taking baby home on Sunday, recovering myself and being a parent would prove to be even tougher. We are having a rough time with our little “Peaceful Warrior” but are just taking it day at a time thanking God that we have a beautiful boy.

Leaving the hospital on Sunday 10/08/17 – Oliver’s due date.
This wasn’t the birth story I was expecting but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I had a great hospital experience and loved all the nurses, doctors and other hospital staff that helped us navigate those first 2 days.
Blogging is already a lot more challenging with a needy baby so hang tight with me guys, I’m doing my best!
Read about Oliver’s first two months here: “Diary of an overwhelmed first-time mom”
❤️ I too didn’t have the pregnancy or labor or birth story I expected, but it definitely prepares us for parenthood! Planning is good, but you often have to be flexible and go with the “new plan” 🙂 Those first days, weeks, months are so challenging- the days seem so long and truly are endless due to lack of sleep- but it all does go way too quickly in retrospect. Go easy on yourself, surround yourself with helpers, and enjoy the blissful moments with this new little life of yours ❤️And let me know when you’re up for visitors and I promise to not bring the school Plague to you!😘
Thanks Gillian, it feels like I’ve gone to plan B, C, D and E on so many issues ;)I am having better days and it is so encouraging! Friends and family have been great and I’ve just had to be patient with my healing and take it easy. You are welcome anytime! Lots love x
All that matters is that baby Oliver is here safely and that you are okay. Thank you for sharing so honestly and openly, especially about your adjustment to life with a newborn. Sending you love and strength mama.
Thanks for reading Jen. I honestly thought after a magical pregnancy that I was going to breeze through taking care of baby but it has been tougher than I could have ever expected. We have had a great week so far so I’m just counting every small victory and enjoying the moments of intense cuteness!! Lots love xox