.Due Date.

Today was my due date. I'm thankful that I've had her in my arms for a week and a half now.

Just look at the pumpkin head. She would rather be sleeping!


I thought today would be a good day to share her birth story. If your not interested, feel free to skip this entry, but I need to record it so that I can transfer it later to her journal.

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Monday morning, October 22nd, 2007, was our induction. We were scheduled for 6:30. My doctor and I had a deal. Monday Night Football was in town and he was going, he promised if we started early I'd be holding my baby in the afternoon. Our weekend had been full of more contractions, false labor and last minute details. I was terrified they were going to be too busy for us, but at 5:20 when I called they had more than enough room for me. I got Bradley up and we headed on our way.

I was contracting, not hurting, but noticable contractions that were still irregular. I could definaely "feel" that they were real. I probably would have ended up there if they would have not had the room. We checked in and by the time I got to my room it was about 7:15. We got all the bloodwork, IV's and hookups out of the way. Dr. G came in at 8:10. He broke my water, all clear, and we started pitocin. I was still 2cm from my previous appointment, but 75% effaced. He estimated we would have a baby by early afternoon.

At 9:50 I was prepped for my epidural. The pain hadn't become unbearable but I was getting uncomfortable. Let me just say, I love epidurals! Within minutes I was happy as could be. My epidural was alot different this time than with Delaney, I could move my legs but they were still numb. It was great. There were moments I felt 'hot spots' but didn't want to ask for them to fix things too soon and chance slowing things down. It wasn't horrible, so I continued to labor.

At 11:00 my nurse emptied my bladder. I was dilated to 4. I got a little scared - it seemed to be going slow and my dr. was due to leave early for Monday Night Football.

At 11:45 Dr. G was back for a check. I was a "good" 4 - hey take what you can get right? But she was OP (opposite posterior) or face up. He said things move slower in that position but not to worry he'd turn her if needed but she still had time to turn herself. I felt quite a bit of movement from her after that and hoped she was doing the work herself. I was still feeling a little bit in my left side but labored on without it getting too much worse.

At 1:20 Dr. G came back in. Checked me and asked if I was feeling pressure. I wasn't - but I was 9cm. Not expecting that! She had turned on her own, too. No longer did he get into the hallway - I felt pressure. I told my nurse, was checked again and was complete. Things started happening fast. Another nurse came in to prep my room for delivery while my nurse took care of something for her other patient and call my dr. back. During all of this, I was feeling the pain I mentioned earlier but worse. With each contraction on top of each other the pain was radiating across my lower stomach. I got scared. I cried a little because I couldn't help it. My mom talked me through it. We called for the anesthea to come "fix me" before we started the pushing phase. I could feel her moving down and hoped I wouldn't have to push long. I had to have a quick shot of lidocaine which did the trick.

Dr. G came back in at 1:50 and it was time. They broke the bed down and he scrubbed in.At around 2:00 I was ready to push. With my first push everyone was really excited. I looked in my mirror and saw why, she was right there. They all started yelling for me to push harder, even my doctor, I pushed with everything I had and 2 pushes later at 2:06 p.m. - she was out. They were the best coaches ever. It was amazing. I never expected it to happen that fast. Bradley cut the cord, I had my first moments with her, and they went off to clean her up. I nursed her for the first time (she's a champion nurser) and we called in the visitors from the waiting room. Delaney was able to meet her baby sister before they whisked her away to the nursery. It was such a special time.

I already can't remember life without her. Its funny how that happens.

Two of my favorite photos of the day.