February 11th started out like any other day. We ate breakfast together, sent daddy off to work, the kids watched Signing Time while I checked email, our blog and facebook. After Signing Time I usually put on some kids music and we have a little dance party and the kids take off to play. This time when I participated in the dance party I started having a few contractions. Nothing big really considering I was only 3 days from my due date. It did make me a little nervous so instead of dancing I decided I better start getting the house cleaned up, some dishes washed and just in case I should finally pack my bag.
---- Micali and Eli switched beds on me when I told them it was naptime. They thought they were SOOO funny---
I had an appointment scheduled for 3:45 and was glad I would be able to see if I was making any progress towards labor. I was feeling anxious, HUGE, and ready for this pregnancy to be over. The contractions continued throughout the day but stopped while I was in the shower and long enough for me to take a nice afternoon nap while the kids slept. When I woke up from the nap the contractions continued---painless but consistent. I decided to try to find a babysitter for Micali and Eli so that Luke could come to the Dr. with me just in case. It didn’t work out so well and I ended up going to my appt. by myself. He was a little behind but by 4:30 he checked me and I was a 3.5 and he said I was definitely in labor. He gave me the choice of staying at the hospital to be monitored or coming home for awhile to relax. I chose coming home. Although he said he didn’t want me staying home longer than 2 hours.
------Last picture with just two sweeties in my arms-----
I told Luke the good news. Our regular babysitter came home to be with the kids and we left the house at 6:00. By this time the contractions still weren’t very serious. I didn’t want to go straight to the hospital so we made a few stops, got the mail, got a couple of little gifts from the pharmacy for Micali and Eli, and went to the school for Luke to work on lesson plans. After holding out the entire two hours we called the Dr. and told him we were headed to the hospital.
---just before we left for the hospital. The smile is because I knew these would be my last pictures of the belly and my next pictures would be with a baby in my arms!------
I was dilated to a 4.5 upon arrival however the nurse was concerned because HE (another male nurse) couldn’t feel the head down. Dr. Black did a quick ultrasound to make sure she was in the correct position and I opted to have him break my water to speed the process up a little. This immediately made me a 6 and of course the pain picked up a little (who am I kidding---it picked up a lot and HURT).
--waiting waiting waiting
After that we just waited. I had told my doctor I would like to go natural and not have an IV. He was very kind and respected my wishes. So both the nurses and doctor were pretty hands off and let us do our own thing.
She was born at 9:40 and after the last two pushes of being flat on my back to help her out I couldn’t have been more relieved. The cord was wrapped pretty tightly around her neck, I was surprised at how purple she was. She didn’t cry hardly at all and still at day 6 has been the most calm, quiet baby ever!
--- I made it!
---She made it!
I am so grateful for my opportunity to be a mother and be a part of raising these three little cuties. I love that I can be home with them all day and am so blessed to have a husband who provides for us and loves being at home and playing with the kiddos when he can.
-------Today at lunch Micali repeatedly asked Daddy why he had to go back to work. He said I am a dad that is what I do! She put her said lip out and said to herself---My daddy has to work, POOR ME! After a few days of him being home with us it is hard for her to understand him going back!--------
