Welcome litte one!

We are pleased to announce the birth of our newest son!
CREW ALEXANDER BANZHAF

Born: 2/23/11
Time: 10:41 am
Weight: 6lbs 10 oz
Length: 19 inches

Birth Story:
I was scheduled for induction for Wednesday morning the 23rd at 9am. My mother in law had already been here for a week waiting for a baby we thought would be early. My mom was arriving that afternoon from Philly, so I begged for the dr to get me going so no one would miss it.
To be honest, I was scared to death. I have heard horror stories of inductions that took hours and all ended in C-sections because the body wasn't really ready to have the baby yet. So, that night I was hoping the go into labor on my own in the few hours I had left before check in.
About 3 am the morning of my induction, Zachary came in to my room running fever and asking for help. I sat up in bed when he startled me and I heard and felt a "pop". Sounded like my elbow or ankle joint cracking. But I felt it in my lower abs. Before I even stood up, I said to Mike "Did you hear that? I think my water just broke". He was still asleep and unresponsive. I stood carefully and hurried to the bathroom. Sure enough, it had. I was so happy!!- I took a shower, put on some makeup, put on clothes and went back to lay down with Mike. At this point, I had no contractions, so I wasnt in a huge hurry to get out the door. Besides, by this point, Zach had been up and put back to bed, and Asher had come in due to Zacharys noise and wanted to sleep with us. Everyone was up and trying to get back to bed. About 4:30, we left the kids with Grandma Babbel, who luckily was already here at the house sleeping. We checked in a little before 5 am. The staff was thinking I showed up early for my induction but I was happy to prove that my water had in fact broken on its own.

Once I checked in, they got my IV in and I was hooked up to see if I was contracting. I was dilated to 3cm and was 65%-70 effaced on arrival. I didnt feel any contractions, but the nurse told me I was having them about 5-7 min apart. This is always my problem (and blessing), I dont feel the contractions until its too late (Im sure you remember the Asher birth story). Since no pit drip was needed it was a waiting game.
They also informed me that they would not be checking me again unless I asked. If I was feeling a change in pressure then they would check. Otherwise, they like to touch you as little as possible down there.- I was cool with that.-

Since I had delivered Asher natural, my goal was to be med free. However, I was so anxious I couldnt sleep, so I had some Staydol put in my IV.(I had done research about pain options if needed but hadnt planned on using any as I had read that it doenst take pain away but makes you feel drunk and "takes the edge off") I must admit, it was lovely for sleeping. They were right, it made me loopy. I cant imagine using it during anytime you needed to be focused, like during pushing. It felt warm and made me sleepy, which was perfect since I wasnt in pain. I was out from 6-8 am and got some rest.
Mike left to help get kids to school and eat breakfast around 8. He returned about 9:30. At which time we thought we would go to a walk to get things going. After attempting to stand up and go for a walk. I noticed that my right leg was shaking so badly I couldnt stand on it. Gravity must have been helping when I stood becuase once I sat back down on the side of the bed, I started hard, heavy contractions. After about 30 min of sitting on the bedside, since I couldnt bear laying down, they decided to check me. I was a 9 and -2.
At this point I experienced something I hadnt with my other deliveries. My legs were shaking uncontrollably. I was trying to stop them and focus but they were making my whole body violently shake. Then I was having hot sweats, and cold sweats back and forth!?! It was awful.- Then I made the best decision ever...I asked for a spinal. (Yeah, I know already at a 9 I should have just done it natural. But I seriously had no control with the shaking. It had taken over the show!) The spinal was like magic. The CRNA walks right in, takes a couple mins to give me the shot. I turn over and my legs stopped shaking. I waited for a couple contractions to pass (there was literally NO pain) and I pushed. Crew was out.
From the time I checked in to delivery was 5.5 hrs!!!
My opinion about the SPINAL:
I felt everything, but no pain. I LOVED the spinal. I would highly recommend it. I liked that I progressed fast without the epidural possibly slowing me down. Then at a 9 when you are in the height of the pain, I got just enough to relieve and refocus me. I hated epidurals because you may have no ability to push, possible slowed progress, a catheter, hot spots, etc.
Not with the spinal...LOVED IT! I was up walking around less than 2 hours later. It was great!

Anyway as for his name. We had several in mind. My friend has a little boy named Crew and I really thought it was cute (thanks Holly). But, I felt it may get to trendy and backed off it for a while. Then I had second thoughts and kept it on the list. We know its not everyones cup of tea. But, in the end, you get to name your own kids, right?! Plus, maybe its been destiny all along...we started this blog in 2007 called the Banzhaf Crew. Now we have a Crew Banzhaf.
Alexander means " Defender of Man". I was obsessed with Alexander the Great as a kid. I did probably 10 different projects and papers on him and his empire during my school years. Plus its a family name on Mike's moms side.

Crew is tiny. So small and beuatiful. I was a little disappointed that he wasnt bigger being that I was huge and 39 plus weeks. But, he is a great little baby and nurses like a champ! He have a feeling he wont be little long. The boys are in love with him. We couldnt be happier. I came home after 24 hrs. I was done being in the hospital and wanted to sleep in my own bed. I have felt great. I honestly cant believe I just had a baby.- Life is great! God is good. Babies are miracles.

New parents get a steak and lobster dinner!
"Look at his tounge mommy!"