My mom flew in to stay with us on Monday April 8th. My due date was the 10th. I was worried that my mom would have to leave before our baby arrived and then I wouldn't have as much help. We had a lot of fun together but tried to do anything to get labor started! We worked out at the gym. Tuesday night my mom came with me to the young women's activity. On our way home we stopped and got some yogurt. Wednesday morning, (my due date) I woke up around 5:30AM and felt contractions. They were 10-15 min apart, but Kevin didn't think he should go into work. I warned him that it could still be awhile, but we both knew from past experience that once my labor started I go fast. I took a shower, packed my bags and then there was nothing. We took Jackson to preschool and went to Zumba! I worked out through my entire pregnancy, but the last few weeks I stuck to stationary bikes and the swimming pool. This day however I was so determined. During the workout my contractions were at least every 5 min. apart but then they slowed down and I just couldn't keep going the entire hour. I sat on a big bouncy ball and stretched. I got a short nap in that afternoon and then we all went to the mall to walk around. Once the kids were in bed I started feeling really down because I wasn't having many contractions after all my efforts and I felt bad Kevin took the day off for no reason! We all started doing some family history and ended up staying up until about 11:00. I started to notice contractions getting closer together but decided not to tell anyone. I woke up at midnight to go to the bathroom and contractions were stronger, but I fell right back to sleep. At 1:00 I woke up and started timing contractions. They were 3-5 min. apart and stronger. I knew this was it and felt like I should wake Kevin up. We got ready fast, told my mom we were leaving and ran out the door (okay, I didn't run). Of course the freeway entrance was closed that night, but Kevin was fast going a different way. We got into the triage nurse at about 2 AM and I was so worried that they would tell me I was only at a 4 or 5 (I had been at a 2 for weeks) even though the contractions had been intense. Well, I just about laughed when the nurse told me I was still at a two! WHAT!?! I couldn't believe it and started to freak out a bit. She told us to walk the halls for an hour and come back. Kevin and I have looked back at that hour and a half of walking and talking together because it was actually so enjoyable to share things with each other and have those moments together. I guess we need more date nights!
When we got back to the triage nurse at 3:30 I thought for sure I'd made some good progress, but was disappointed to learn that I was at a 3. I prepared myself for a long labor. She admitted me and took us into a room and told me to get some rest. Kevin laid down and slept a bit and I wanted more than ever to fall asleep, but every time I started to doze, a contraction would hit and I had to focus and breathe through it. Finally I sat up so that I wouldn't fall asleep any more. Around 5:00 my contractions had become very painful and I asked the nurse to check me. I was at a 6, which was improvement, but still far from what I was expecting from the pain. I asked the Dr. to come break my water. She did, but was a little confused because she didn't see much fluid come out. A new nurse was coming in right then and immediately started getting things ready for delivery. I wondered what in the world she was doing, since I figured it would still be awhile. Things really started getting bad for me and I told Kevin to call for the epidural. I just couldn't take that much pain for much longer. I must have said something about pushing because the nurse immediately called the Dr. and told her. She asked if the the nurse had checked me. So the nurse came over and did that and I was complete! I can't tell you the relief I felt. I thought I still had hours to go and instead it was time to push! Two times and her head was out. Then I got to hold her. She really never cried, but was awake and doing great. She was 7 lbs. 2 oz. a little less than 20 in. long. Our biggest baby! That day was exhausting because we had been up all night, but I loved staring at our newborn. The best was when our other three kids came to visit and meet Abigail Elizabeth. The all LOVED her so much. Jackson and Kaitlyn just wanted to hold her. Madison would stare at her trying to figure out why this "baby doll" was moving so much! And they still love her 9 weeks later! It is pretty sweet to see how they react every morning when I bring Abby downstairs. Kaitlyn could snuggle with her all day long. Jackson likes Abby to lay next to him when he plays so he can show her all his toys. Madison makes sure she has her pacifier every moment and lets me know its time for her to drink her milk or get her diaper changed.
