My Bountiful Blessings

I woke up Monday morning to get ready for a day at Regina Caeli.  I was going to be tutoring Algebra 2 and then aiding in 5th grade the rest of the day.  I had a couple contractions while getting ready that felt a little different.  I told Daddy that this might be the day and that I didn't think I would make it all day at school.

When I arrived at school, the head administrator told me that I would be needing to sub in 5th grade, as that tutor was going to be absent with a sick child that day.  I 'told her I would, but I think I was going into labor so I would need to leave about noon.  I really didn't think I could make it all day!  Come to find out I made it the whole day at school with a few contractions here and there and a lot of sitting around to keep calm.

After school once we got home, I got all the kids settled with snacks and TV shows while I laid down on the couch to rest.  I ended up falling asleep and waking at about 5:00pm with a very strong contraction.  I went to the bathroom and called Daddy at work and told him that I think he was going to have to come home early that day.  He said he would do the best he could, but it was a really busy day and he didn't think he would be able to get away.  About 5:30pm I called him back and told him he needed to come home now because I was definitely in labor and I needed him to keep the kids away as they were bothering/distracting me through these painful contractions.  He said he was on his way!

Shortly after Daddy arrived home we decided to call my parents to come over and keep the kids at bay while Daddy attended to me in whatever I needed.  We laid on the bed, him on his phone and me praying for friend's and family's intentions and listening to music on my phone while working through contractions.  At about 9:00pm I decided I just didn't want to be at home anymore and I felt like I needed to head to the birthing center to have this baby!  I called the midwife and we headed there shortly after.  We arrived around 9:30pm and the midwife did a quick check to see how far along I was.  She said I was completed dilated and I could have that baby whenever I wanted!  I was a little taken aback because I thought I might have a little more time before it was go time!  The last two babies were born in the tub in the same room and I had thoughts in my head that I would have this baby the same way.  She said it would take about 45 minutes to fill the tub up and I told her that was fine and I would wait!  I was determined to have him in the tub as well.  At this point I called my parents and told them to stand by because we didn't think it would be long after that he was born and we wanted them to keep the kids up so they could be there right after he was born.  I also called his Godmother since she was going to be there for his birth and help take pictures.  She didn't waste any time heading up to the birthing center.

After the tub was ready I hopped in and then came the waiting to get the courage to push him out!  I asked Daddy at one point what time it was.  I really liked the date and wanted to be sure that he was born on that day and that I didn't wait too long and it turn into the next day.  Daddy said it was 11:00pm and I knew I needed to get serious about getting him out.  With the next contraction I pushed and he was born at 11:07pm.  I was so glad to be done with that part and hold my baby in my arms.  He had the biggest hands and it didn't even occur to me that he would be big all over!  He still looked so small to me of course compared to a 2 1/2 year old at home.  Finding out later that he weighed in at 9lbs. 2.5oz and 22in. long, I couldn't believe it!  He was huge for any babies I've had!

The kids showed up with my parents shortly after and were so excited to meet him!!!  We all checked out healthy and headed home about 1:30am!

I woke up about 3:30 am on Saturday, April 13th with a contraction and thought that this could be it!  I was up for about an hour with a few contractions here and there but nothing that got stronger or closer together.  Thankfully I was able to get back to sleep for the rest of the night.  It was good that I was able to get back to sleep because we had a busy Saturday ahead of us.

Saturday morning we had a basketball game at 9:00am and then a baseball game at 12:40pm.  The whole day going to these events I felt a little off and not really having any contractions.  That evening I was supposed to be helping set up and run the Family Dinner Fundraiser for the kids preschool.  I started having a few more contractions at this point and told Daddy that I would not be making it and he would need to take the kids on his own to the dinner since we had already paid for the tickets.  I asked if he would save me a dinner plate in case I wanted to eat later.  My contractions were getting somewhat stronger but not that close together yet.  I decided to head up to church where the dinner was taking place to get my food.  I was hungry and I did not want to wait until Daddy and the kids came home with it.  Once back at home I ate the food and started watching the movie Couple's Retreat.  I was the only thing on TV that seemed like it would keep my interest while going through contractions.  I walked around the couch and back and forth from the front door and the living room a few times with some of the strong contractions.

Daddy and the kids arrived home and he got them to bed.  I think I was able to get a couple hours of sleep before waking up again about 3:30am on Sunday, April 14th.  This time the contractions were coming closer together and getting stronger.  I went ahead and took a shower and started getting things ready for the birthing center.  We arrived about 5:30am and I was afraid that I got there too early like last time.  The midwife checked me and asked me what I thought I was dilated too.  I said I hope I was at least more than a 4 but maybe I was a 6.  She said I was 8cm and I was so excited to know that I was so close.  They started filling up the tub and once it was ready I was hopping in!  Of course the fear of the pain at the end was filling my head, I tried so hard to push it aside.  A few small pushes here and there and I didn't think I could do it.  I finally got to a point that one of my small pushes brought her to the point of no return and I was pushing her out in less than a minute.  She was born at 8:52am and I was so glad that was over.  In fact as soon as she was out I said I was never doing that again!  We didn't know her gender although I had an inkling it was a girl, we had Daddy announce what he saw.  He said it more as a question because he was either unsure of what he saw or was so surprised it was a girl.  "It's a GIRL?!"

Weighed in at 7lbs. 13.5oz. and 19.75in long