So here's her birth story.
I was almost 40 weeks pregnant. I went in for my check-up and my Dr. "stirred things up" - (scraped my membranes for those moms who know what that means). It didn't hurt bad at all but I started feeling really crampy shortly after I left the dr's office. My mother in-law was watching Red and I called to ask her if she minded if I stay out a little longer to run some errands. As I enjoyed lunch by myself and the quiet of driving in between pit-stops, I just KNEW this was it. THIS was my last day of freedom, before I'd be outnumbered by children each and every day moving forward. I went to The Perfect Toy to pick up a Blast Pad for Red as a gift "from Gracey"; I bought myself new shoes at Marshalls. I scarfed down a Pita Pocket #9 at D'Angelo's.
When Randy got home later that day, we went on a family walk before dinner. I was really crampy and wanted to go on a REAL walk (you know, not stopping every 4 feet for your 2-year-old to pick up a stick, point out an airplane or run up a mound of grass!). So Randy and Red went inside to make dinner and let me go power-walking through my neighborhood. Up and down the hills I went, timing what was now becoming regular contractions. An hour later - around 6pm - I went inside and took a shower. By 7 pm, my contractions were VERY regular and starting to get uncomfortable - I was SO EXCITED! By 8pm, they were 2 minutes apart and Randy was so excited he was begging me to call the Dr. but I was scared they'd subside so I kept postponing the call. I finally called at 8:15, was told to come into Labor & Delivery and by the time my mother in-law zipped back down to Canton (in RECORD time, might I add!), I was in a TON of pain with contractions just 1 1/2 minutes apart!
I got to the hospital and I was 4 cm. I had been 3 cm at my appointment earlier that morning. I was pretty much screaming at Randy every time a contraction came on because the anesthesiologist was taking FOREVER. I have to say, I had my doubts about Randy's coaching abilities after he nearly passed out and had to be attended to during Red's delivery. :) However, he was AWESOME this time around - rubbing my feet, holding and swaying me during contractions, helping me breathe through the pain. I was in need of his help and he really was wonderful.
I was 6 cm by the time I got the epidural and BOY WAS I GLAD TO GET IT! I only had it for an hour and 15 minutes before the nurses came rushing in, telling me they were losing the baby's heartbeat every time I had a contractions. The nurse looked down at me and said, "OH WOW - the baby's head is coming with each contraction!" - no wonder I felt so much pressure despite the epidural!!! So after rushing everyone into the room - the anesthesiologist, the Dr., the Resident who delivered the baby, the nurses, etc. - I pushed 1/2 a push and her head came out - I had to STOP pushing! Literally a HALF a push. Then she told me to just give her one good "grunt" to get the body out so that's what I did and 20 seconds of delivery later, my baby girl was on my chest.
Staying in the hospital was great, but short-lived. We were anxious to get home so even though she was born on a Friday morning at 12:32am (just after midnight on Thursday really), we left Saturday morning as soon as they could get us out!
While we were at Hartford Hospital, Red came to visit and was SO EXCITED to see mommy! I couldn't believe how much I missed him and how excited I was to see him myself. I didn't think he'd last more than 20 minutes for a visit, but to our surprise, he was actually very entertained with his new toys and then lunch came and Grammy had packed his lunch so we ate together and enjoyed a couple hours together before he left for nap time. ( I had been steadfastly collecting fun new crafts, toys and gadgets to give to him "from Gracey" at the hospital when she arrived!)
Here are some pictures from her first couple days: enjoy!
Daddy got the first picture with Gracey just after she was born!
