How it all began

Do you want to know how it all began…and how you came to be?
Your journey started September 20, 2004 (Mommy’s birthday and your great-great grandfather Jessie James Overly’s birthday) when we found out that we were having our precious little baby we had been hoping for. We had been waiting for you to come for a few months. We were so excited!!! We could not hold it in, so we immediately called everyone we knew to share in the excitement. Auntie Jen was the first person we got ahold of. It was a night filled with screams of excitement, tons of laughter and tears of joy as we shared the news with all our family and friends. It was the best birthday present ever!!!
The road from there was pretty bumpy for Mommy. I was sick most of the time. It was hard finding healthy food that did not make me sick to my stomach. I lived off of Taco Bell, milk shakes and Vanilla Hostess Cupcakes with chocolate frosting. The smell of any meat cooking, especially bacon, made my stomach turn. After a while, I could eat eggs and deli ham, which made me happy to get in the protein I needed to make you grow big and strong. Every once in a while, I liked a good pickle. I lost 13 pounds in the first 2 months. The sickness gradually got better every few months after that. I gradually got back a hearty appetite the last month and ended up gaining all together 45-50 lbs. I had a lot of little aches and pains throughout the nine months, but it was all worth it, because I got you. In the beginning, it was my back and belly button ligaments that bothered me. In the end, it was the pressure of your little head that got to me. You were turned head down the last few months making it hard for me to sit on my tail bone or walk around because of the pressure.
The part of pregnancy I loved was feeling you move and hearing your heartbeat at every doctor appointment. I lived for every kick and squirm to reassure me that you were happy and healthy. I felt your first teeny tiny kick December 23, 2004. I had just tucked myself into bed and was reading as I lay on my side. After a few seconds, I felt the smallest bump from inside. I was so excited! It finally felt like you were real. I was only 17 weeks along (which is really early to feel a baby kick, but you have always liked to learn and do things early). Daddy and I were in Missouri visiting his family at the time, so Auntie Jen, Papa and Noni got to feel you kick that week also. How neat (as Papa would say)! As you grew you just got more and more active. I felt you hiccup (all the time, especially in the end), karate-chop, kick, punch, squirm, scrap your fingernails, turn your head, and stretch. At doctor visits they always ask if a baby is moving, and I would often get concerned and say that you were not moving as much as usual. The midwives would feel to see if you would move, and you always did, right on cue. They wanted you to move at least 10 times a day. There was no problem there, as you liked to move at least 10 times an hour. You have always been a mover and a shaker.
April 15th, 2005 I had to quit teaching, because I was having pre-term contractions. I had been experiencing the contractions for a while (maybe a couple of weeks), and they were getting stronger and stronger and taking my breath away. The week before quitting, the midwives had me go to the hospital several times to monitor your heartbeat and vital signs. I was sent home to stay in bed or on the sofa and told to take it easy. We wanted to make sure you stayed inside me for 36 weeks so that you would not have any health risks. Grandma Noni came 2 weeks before you were born to keep me company and help around the house. We were all ready for your arrival. We thought for sure you were going to come early, but you decided to come 3 days late instead.
When Grandma Noni came, the midwives took me off bed rest because, by then, you were big enough to be able to live outside of me, but my blood pressure when up too hight, so she made me go back to bed. But I really enjoyed that one week I was able to get out and about and finished buying things that I felt we still needed before your much anticipated arrival. I chose bed rest instead of inducing labor. My midwives were very understanding about my need to have you naturally and without medications. I wanted to keep you as safe as I could.
At 6:00, the evening of May 31, 2005, Daddy had just come home from work, and I was lying on the couch after a long day of feeling yucky. Auntie Jen had arrived a couple days before, and we were all settling down for the evening, ready to eat our Chinese food when I felt and heard a “POP, POP!” I looked around and asked if anyone else had heard it. With forks in our mouths we all had questioning looks on our faces. I then realized that my water had broken, and I rushed to the restroom. I yelled out for Daddy to call the hospital. Daddy, Grandma Noni, Auntie Jen and I quickly finished our food and packed up the remaining items we needed for the hospital. There was so much excitement in the air. I could not wait to meet you!
By the time we got to the hospital and were checking in at the emergency room, I was having some bigger contractions, and they were coming closer and closer together. Auntie Jen and Grandma Noni got a luggage rack for all our things. The nurses had never seen anyone who needed a luggage rack before. We had everyone’s purses, my bag, pillows, a radio, fan, cameras, games…the works. We were ready for a long night. Little did I know that you would be coming in 5 short hours, and we would hardly remember to set up the video camera!
My midwife, Karen, was there throughout, helping me remember to relax, breath deeply and she kept Auntie Jen and Noni company. I spent most of my time in the shower as I danced you into the world, Daddy beside me offering his gentle support. At one point I got sick from the pain and lost my dinner. Afterwards I told everyone “ He’d better be cute!” and sure enough, you were the cutest baby I had ever seen!
You were born at 11:16pm!!! Auntie Jen and Noni were off to the side of my hospital bed video taping and trying to keep the temperature of the room just right. All though, they were having a little difficulty with that task do to all their excitement. Daddy was at my hip giving me lots of sips of water and helping to hold one of my legs when I pushed you out. With my last contraction, I pulled you right up onto my belly, with the help of my midwife, and snuggled you close as Daddy cut your umbilical cord. You were happy as could be covered in warm blankets, resting on my stomach and listening to my heartbeat. Then you showed that great sense of humor you have, and you peed all over me. That may have been the first time, but was definitely not the last! Shortly after that, you started to cry. So I sang you our lullaby “Baby Mine,” and we cuddled for a while. When it was time for the midwife to stitch me all up, you were taken to the bassinet, off to the side of the room, so you could have your footprints stamped, eye drops put in and were given a shot of medicine. You screamed so much I asked Auntie Jen to please go over and hold your hand. I said, “He needs you!” She really liked that. She rushed right over to comfort you calling, “Ohh, I’m coming baby!” almost tripping over the midwife. By the time Daddy got over to you, you were grabbing on to the edge of the bassinet, one leg twisted around trying to climb out and take on the world. It made everyone laugh. You were a joy from the beginning and have been a joy every since. We love you Brayden and thank God every day for letting us borrow you from Him and having the opportunity to be the parents to guide you through this life.