My Dr's decided to induce me early (though I think the due date was off) because of my diabetes...can you imagine how much Baby Moose would have weighed if I had delivered him later than the 21st??? The 3 weeks leading up to inducement was full of twice a week non stress tests, checking my sugar levels, and my weight.
I got to the hospital at 5am on November 21st to be induced. From 5 until about 6, the nurses got me comfortable, talked to me, had me sign all kinds of forms, and all that happy jazz. They started my pitocin at about 6-ish. When I got to the hospital, I was already dilated to 4 and had been for a couple of weeks. The pitocin did nothing...so when my Dr came in to check on me at 7am, he broke my water. Immediately, contractions hit back to back and didn't let up. I screamed and begged for an epidural and about 10 minutes later, I got one...that FAILED. At approximately 8am, I yelled for the nurse because I knew Gabriel was coming. The nurse came in and checked and sure enough it was time. My Dr came in and the 1 thing I remember hearing was "Holy crap, that's a big head!". My body began to just push, I couldn't control it. The Dr and nurses kept telling me "Push, Rebecca, Push" and it felt like my body was but nothing was happening. Baby Moose had gotten stuck. He ended up having posterior & anterior shoulder dystocia, as well as full body dystocia...yep, he got stuck 3 different times. But, then by the grace of God, he was here...safe and sound at 8:58am. It took him a few seconds to cry but when he finally did, I knew he was okay. He was a little blue for a few hours since he was pretty bruised from his very eventful journey in to this world.
So, I've been asked a few times, why the name Gabriel. Gabriel means "God is my might", "able-bodied one of God", "strong man of God". The angel, Gabriel, was a messenger of God and foretold of Christ's birth as well as John the Baptist (Luke chapter 1). In the Bible, it states that he was able to stand in God's presence ("And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings." Luke 1:19). I want to raise my son as all these things...I want him to grow in to a man of God, a man who has a strong faith in God, a messenger of God. He is already my little messenger of God because I believe that God sent him just in time to save me, mentally and physically. Without him, my diabetes would have not have been found in time, nor would my severe anemia. He, along with my other 3 babies, give me that reason to get out of bed on days when I am my own worst enemy.
The name was inspired by my beautiful friend, Nikki, who lost her baby girl, Gabrielle, last year and I wanted to do something to honor Nikki as well as sweet Gabrielle.
The third reason for his name...well, we all know I am a sucker for good movies (Noah's name came from The Notebook) and I LOVE "The Patriot" with Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger. Heath Ledger played a good hearted and loyal character named "Gabriel" in The Patriot. So, there ya go...that's where the name Gabriel came from.
His middle names, Bryant and Andrew, are both family names. Bryant is my great grandmother's maiden name. I am told often that I look, act, and talk just like her and my Mimi tells me all the time that I have her sense of humor...so what better way to honor her name than to give my sweet Gabriel her maiden name as his middle name. His second middle name, Andrew, is after my brother-in-law, Andy. Andy and I are so much a like that we fight, a lot, but through it all, he'll tell me when I'm wrong, praise me when I'm right and there has never been a time when I asked him to do something that he hasn't done it. Even on days when we can't stand each other, if I ask him to help me do anything, he is always right there.
Next question I get asked alot...How do the other kids like their new baby brother?
Well, Chloe loves him but to her, he's another brother...she's a pro and has done this twice before. Noah is in love with him and thinks he is the most awesomest (his words) baby brother in the world and Eli...well, Eli has his good days and bad days. At the hospital when Eli realized that I had to stay with Moose, he looked at Greg and said "I don't like him, put him back!". After we got home, Eli warmed up quite a bit and loves to be "Mommy's helper".
Here are some pics of Gabriel from his birth...
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