Wednesday, July 11, 2007

the girl who thanks heaven

What a morning I had! I am happy to announce the arrival of Eli, our newest son. Yes, he is early, but he was determined to meet everyone ahead of schedule...and that is a story in itself.

I woke up around 3:30 this morning when Aramis kicked Matthew out of our bed. I realized then that I was having labor pains. I waited until about 4:20 to get a good idea of the timing and then I had to get up. I took a shower and woke up Aramis about 5. Called my OB who told me to go ahead and get checked out at the hospital and started to brainstorm what to do with the kiddos. Initially, I tried to get a hold of Larry to come watch the kiddos until it was a more reasonable hour to impose on the sitter. He was not answering his phone and the pains were becoming more insistent. Finally I broke down and called the sitter, woke her up and asked if I could bring the boys by.

Fast forward to actually leaving the house. We left about 6:15, dropped the boys off about 6:30, and stopped at a nearby 7-11 so Aramis could get the all important Red Bull and some cash back for tolls and hospital parking. At 6:40, in the 7-11 parking lot, my water broke.

Gushed actually.

Aramis asked me if we should go back to the house and call an ambulance or just go on to the hospital (at least 30 min away). I was in pain and knew I was close but had divine faith in an epidural so I told him to just go!

Aramis pulled out and the big one hit, I felt "the ring of fire" and knew it was too late. I told him, "He's not going to wait! Pull over! He's crowning!"

The 7-11 we were at was on a corner so we ended up just turning the corner and pulling back in. As we crossed the curb I felt a huge contraction and quite involuntarily, I pushed. I felt the head come out and then the shoulders. I was half-way out of my seat and wearing pants! Aramis pulled into a parking space, I unbuckled my seat belt, yanked down my pants, and there he was! I slid him out and just held him, too stupefyed to really absorb what had happened.

Aramis was in shock too. He dialed 911 and took off his shirt for me to wrap Eli in. Then he pulled out a shoelace from his shoe and tied off the umbilical cord while I cleared out his mouth.

He cried and my heart leapt!

About five min later the ambulance arrived. They clamped the cord off correctly and were going to cut it but I insisted that I be allowed to cut it. After all, I delivered this kid on my own!

After some delicate maneuvering on the part of the EMS guys to get me out of the front seat of the van with my pants still around my thighs and the umbilical cord dangling while trying to avoid all the curious looks of all the construction workers getting their morning Big Gulps, I got an ambulance ride to the nearest hospital--not the one I was heading to, but I was technically in the next county by about a quarter mile so the ambulance had to take me to that county's nearest maternity ward.

We arrived, Eli got whisked off to the NICU and I got to do all the post-delivery stuff and then admitting. It took longer to admit me than it did to deliver! lol!

Don't believe me? Wel, I AM a scrapper, of course I took pictures!

(Note the t-shirt swaddling, the van interior, and the waistband of my pants half-way down my thighs.)

So, Eli is in the NICU and will likely be there for anywhere from a week to 6 weeks, depending on his progress..

So, by the numbers:
  • On July 11, 2007 (07/11/07)
  • I delivered Eli 7 weeks early
  • in the 7-11 parking lot
  • at 11 minutes to 7
Oh Thank Heaven, indeed! this ought to earn me free gas (or at least Slurpees) for Life! I am definitely sending this to the good folks at 7-11 Corporate offices!

He weighs 4 lbs, 9 oz and is 18 in long. He has the cutest little apple head and definitely has the "Martinez/Merson Blend" look.

Its hard because I haven't been able to hold him since the ambulance ride, but I've been visiting every couple hours. I will probably be home tomorrow, Eli is a little less certain, but is doing well, all things considered.

One more pic of the little guy and I'm off to sleep and beg the nurse for some more pain pills.


Eli Eleven Martinez

Yes, we have decided on Eleven as his middle name. It's not official yet and is subject to change (could end up as Seven) or as the number in another language. We'll see. But you can be darn sure Aramis went back to that 7-11 and bought lottery tickets!

32 comments:

island jen said...

awwww...EE is precious!! i can't wait to meet him!!

love you guys!!

TJLaw said...

Glad everything turned out good, hopefully Eli will be out of the NICU as soon as possible. One other thing to note about 7-11 ... Today is the official 7-11 Day celebrated by all participating 7-11 stores by giving out free 7.11 ounce slurpies.

Too funny! Life has its funny moments, you are probably the only person nationwide to give birth in the parking lot of a 7-11, on 7-11 at 11 minutes to 7.. well at least this year .. LOL

TLHarwick said...

Wow!!! What a story! Congratulations to you and your family!

Marie Starr said...

Oh my gosh!! That is amazing! Congrats!!

Anonymous said...

Oh. My. Word. I've finally met someone with a labor and delivery story better than mine!!! I **almost** delivered my son in the car . . . but we made it in the nick of time. Girlfriend, you sound so calm!! I was a psycho basket-case!! Congrats to you!! What a wonderful story you'll get to tell over and over!!! I hope you get to snuggle with the little man very soon!

Kelly Goree Photography said...

Holy WOW...So glad you are both safe and doing well. What a story of a lifetime. Huge hugs and congratulations on a true miracle :)

Unknown said...

That is the most fabulous labour story ever !! I delivered my daughter myself too ( quite an experience as you know ) but this tops my story any day !! LOL Welcome to the world Eli and congratulations to you all.

Emine_Pala_Art_22 said...

OH MY this is unbelievable...
HUGE CONGRATS...

Thank god it went all ok...

xoxo
Emine

Laura Fiore said...

OMG Julie--what an experience! So glad that you and Eli (and Aramis for that matter...my dh would have freaked out!) are doing well!

Congratulations on your sweet little blessing, and on an awesome story that will never be forgotten!

SageHen said...

Fantastic story!
I love the Seven or Eleven for a middle name.

Norma Kennedy said...

Oh my goodness what an experience..... So glad that you and baby Eli ar o.k.! Congrats and wishing your family the best !

Hugs, Norma (localocairis)

Shirley said...

Congratulations to you all! WHAT a story for the scrapbook. P&PT that he gets to head home soon....

alecia*grimm said...

What an amazing story! I am so glad that both you and baby are healthy. Congratulations!

senovia said...

Wow, that's an amazing story! I'm totally in tears here! Welcome to the world, Eli!

chris jenkins said...

that is an amazing story!

huge congratulations to you and your family!

Lara Neves said...

Why isn't this on the national news! That is amazing! Congratulations to you, he's beautiful. I hope he's able to come home with you soon. :)

Unknown said...

YOU
ARE
A
ROCK
STAR!!!

I am amazed at your calmness and your instincts during such a crazy time! And the pictures are AMAZING! I can't wait to meet him! (I'm coming down in a couple of weeks!)

I love you, Wonder Woman!

sara :) said...

Holy Cow! Congratulations on your sweet little guy and I'm so happy everything worked out. I'm sure you will have the best labor story at any gathering for the rest of your life!

Deanna said...

Congratulation on your little guy! He is adorable!

deanna

Anne Magee said...

OMG!!! That is amazing!!! I hope you are both doing well now!

Lyzzydee said...

Amazing arrival!!
I hope he continues to do well and is home with you soon.

Joy said...

Congratulations!

Maybe his nickname should be "speedy". It appears he just couldn't wait!

Hope he's out of the NICU soon!

AndyMariePhotography said...

First off - congrats! And what an awesome and amazing birth story. Wow.

Jana said...

What a wonderful amazing story, I just love it and am happy that all of you are doing well!

Jen said...

Oh wow! What a story! Welcome to the world Eli :) Congratulations!!

Veronica Hugger said...

Congratulations! and how brave you are!

Cathy said...

Wow! That's amazing. So glad you're all OK! I delivered in the front seat of my car too - my first baby. My water broke when we were going 180 km/h down the highway with DH trying to drive, talk to 911 on the cell phone and rub my back at the same time. I'm a firm believer in guardian angels!!

Hope he's out of NICU soon!!
God bless.

juliemama said...

Congratulations!!! :)
I had a speedy one myself but we were planning to be at home for the birth anyway, so we didn't have to give him "405" for a middle name... the freeway to the birth center where I'd had my first son. Best wishes!

Unknown said...

Congratulations to you and Eli.

allison said...

Wow, what a story! Congrats on your newest addition.

Sandy said...

Wow, incredible story! Congrats! :)

Sandy said...

Oh, and I like the name...my sister just had a baby in December and his name is Eli too!