Wildflowers

Chapter 72

Chapter: 72

The first 4 weeks of the bedrest were tough but I got a a lot of reading done. Jen, my mom, Julia and Patrick took turns sitting with me and spending time with me.

Patrick brought in a tv on a cart into the bedroom so I can watch tv and movies while I am resting. Dr. Green says things are looking and feeling good and will bring a scale with him the next visit in 2 weeks. At 38 weeks, I am feeling very big and ready to have the baby. I just want to get out and do something but I can't, the only times I leave is to go to the bathroom and take a shower every couple of days. I can tell I have gained weight because my bump is very round now and sit between my legs when I sit.

It's the day of my 39 week check up and I'm wearing a pale blue nightgown and some very comfy underwear. I have been having cramping again and he's moving a lot. Patrick is home from work today and it sitting with me on the bed in some jeans and tee shirt

I wince a little 'You okay?' He asks me.

I nod 'Yeah big movement' I say trying to readjust.

'At least the doctor is coming today' he says rubbing my belly.

'I can't wait to have him all ready. I miss the outside world' I complaining. Patrick laughs

'I know, one more week, baby' he says kissing me.

The door bell rings and he goes and gets it. Dr. Green comes in the room

'Hi, Jo how are you feeling?' He asks me setting down his bag.

'Good, big and ready.' I say.

He laughs 'I bet, I'm going to have a feel and then I will weigh you' he says.

I nod and I move and I roll up my night gown revealing with baby bump. He rubs my belly and I get a small contraction.

'Oh, there's a contraction' he says chuckling.

'Yeah it's been happening for the last few days' I say 'It's false labor and very common' he says feeling my lower stomach. 'He's ready to go any day now. He's a good size but that's good' he says.

I roll down my night gown and Patrick helps me up.

I stretch.

'All right, step on the scale please, Jo' he says and I waddle over and step on the scale.

'172' he says and I stare at him.

'What?' I say shocked '172 it's higher because of the bed rest. You were very thin before trying to conceive, so it's not surprising. Thats only about 43 pounds since getting pregnant, which is the normal range, for being your size, Jo.' He says.

'I didn't realize I gained so much weight' I say.

'Baby, it's fine. Please don't get stressed out' Patrick says rubbing my belly.

'Your husband is right. Being so young, you will lose most of the weight when your breast feed the baby, it's just shocking because we in the final stretch' he says.

'I will be waiting for the call when your water breaks and I will see you at the hospital' he says leaving.

I walk to bathroom, use the toilet before washing up a little. I look in the mirror and it's still weird to see myself. Weight has always been an issue for me and seeing my bump, which is big, gives me those same anxious feelings. I know I'm being silly, but I can't help how I feel.

Patrick is waiting for me when I walk out of the bathroom.

'You okay, baby?' He asks me.

'Yeah, it's just weird looking so different. It's bringing up old feelings.' I tell him.

He kisses me softly 'You're so strong and this just proves it. You are so fucking beautiful and I love you so much, Jo' he says, smiling.

I smile a little 'Thank you, for being amazing though everything. I love you, Patrick' I say before kissing him again.

About 3 days later I was up with a sharp pain in my belly 'Patrick' I yell and he comes into the room.

'Yeah, baby?' he asks concerned.

'Ow, contractions' I say and he holds my hand.

I feel water leaking onto the bed 'Babe, my water just broke' I say and he smiles. 'Yes, go time' He says helping me up.

I put on some soft gym shorts and a tee shirt that is too small so my bump is hanging out the bottom. He grabs out stuff for the hospital and he calls Julia, Jen and my mom before he helps me into the car.

After about 10 hours in labor our son, Milo Jagger O'Neil was born July 7th, 1972 weighing 8 pounds.

The birth went amazing and he's perfect. I am laying in the hospital bed with him in my arms. Patrick is sitting on the edge of the bed gently touching the top of his head.

'Here, you should hold your son' I say and he smiles.

I hand him gently over to him. Patrick cradles him in his arms.

'He's so perfect, Jo' he says, crying.

'Thank you so much for giving me a family' he adds, smiling.

I am tearing up.

'You have given me everything, Patrick. I couldn't ask for anything more' I say, smiling.

Our parents come and Patrick eases off the bed.

'Hey guys' I say smiling.

'Guys, meet your grandson, Milo Jagger O'Neill' he says walking over to them.

'He's beautiful' my mom says wiping her tears.

'I'm proud of you, both of you' Robert says.

Julia just hugs me and is a total mess.

'Dad, do you want to be the first grandparent to hold him?' I ask my dad.

'Me?' He asks tearing up.

'Yeah, we talked about it with everyone and it should be you, dad' Patrick says walking over to my dad who sits on the couch under the window.

Patrick gently hands him to him.

'Hi, Milo.' My dad says smiling at him.

Patrick comes and sits on the bed with me.

'Your amazing, my goddess' he whispers and kissing my softly.

Jen and Anthony come a little bit later and they get to hold him. My dad brought his camera and we get tons of photos to add to our home and to the album I got Patrick for Christmas. I can't help but smile looking at everyone in this room and I feel so loved and surrounded by wildflowers.