Labor Day

Our long awaited baby girl is here!!! Where do I begin?!?! Let's start at the beginning of the day..... I had a routine doctor's appt tuesday morning at 11am. I was hopeful they would do something for me at the appt so I repacked our hospital bag. Remember, we packed it up two weeks ago because I thought my water broke. At my appt the doctor talked about if I was around next week, then they would intervene. I asked, "what about today?" He said they don't typically intervene until between 41 and 42 weeks and they would not let me go to 42 weeks. Then he said, "but... you will be 41 weeks tomorrow...." I think he could hear the desperation in my voice and see the pain in my face if I had to go another week, so he agreed to call over to the hospital to see when they could get me in. And baby was sleeping so her heart rate was lower than normal, usually she is awake when I happended to have my appts, so I could see slight concern in his face about her heartrate. I'm telling you, everything happened to fall into place for me to have her on tuesday! First, Wade didn't have school that day and would only have to miss one class on Wed. Second, Grandma Cathy happened to be coming through town and wanted to stop as we were on our way to our appt. And third, her sleeping heartrate kind of pushed things along. I was so relieved when he said we could have her that day!! And I was having braxton hicks all day monday, so my body was gearing up to have a baby soon any way, I just needed a little help.

40 weeks and 6 days

Talking to my sister, telling her we were going to the hospital!!!

We came home before checking in to the hospital to gather our bags, have lunch, and settle Whitney in with Grandma Cathy. It was so convienent that she was already here and we didn't have to worry about getting anyone to Ames to watch Whitney!

Our last photo as a family of three. I had a sudden overwhelming sense of sadness as we were getting ready to leave Whitney. We told her what was going on, but really she had no idea that we would be bringing a baby home and that she would no longer be the baby with all the attention.

After much deliberation.... Ellison Lucille!!!! We will likely end up calling Ellie, Ella, or Elle. Whatever happens to come out of our mouth at the time. I am already annoyed with everyone thinking I am saying Allison when they ask us her name. Hmmm, not too late to change it, we haven't filled out the ssn paper work yet.......


Right after labor, poor thing! Labor was fast and furious. We checked in at 1 and had what I thought was kind of a snotty nurse. Like she was annoyed the doctor was inducing me without good medical reason. As if being a day shy of 41 weeks wasn't good enough! When the doctor checked me at 11 I was still dilated to a three. He said, too bad I wasn't at a four, then they would have to take me because that is technically in labor. When he broke my water he said I was at a four now. The nurse asked me how I went from a three to a four. I don't know, could have been the contractions I was having before he broke my water, or maybe my kind hearted doctor wanted to say I was at a four. So, he broke my water about 2:15 and I told him I would try my best to have the baby by five so he could still deliver me and still get home by six. Contractions picked up IMMEDIATELY!!! They started coming ever 2-3 minutes, lasting 1- 1.5 minutes at a time getting stronger with each one. By four I had an epidural going. What heaven!!! Around 5:30 I would say the doctor came to check me before he ended his day, and asked if I felt like I could start pushing. I said I felt like she was further down. Well, I was at a 10 and ready to go! Baby's heartrate dropped to 70/80 as she descended into my pelvis, and as soon as he could get his labor delivery outfit on I was pushing to get her out quickly. It happened so fast. My first push was mid contraction, like what, push now?!? So, she came out second push. See, I told you she was ready to be born!!! My doctor again complimented me on being an ideal OB patient. No complications and no complaints, and a speedy delivery. Thanks, but no more babies for me! Labor contractions are PAINFUL!!! I love my two girls, and I'm done! (knock on wood)



Thinking how much she looks like Whitney when she was a newborn.

Whitney seeing Ellison for the first time. She was pretty interested in her and wasn't too concerned about getting to me.

Proud Grandparents. My parents came to watch Whitney and will help out until Sunday. Thankfully Whitney loves her grandparents and is doing just fine without me. I am surprisingly not thinking about her too much and concentrating on the new baby.

Grandma Cathy

A family of four!

Big sister kisses. Whitney has been to the hospital twice and is doing really well with baby sister. She doesn't seem to miss me too much and eagerly waves goodbye to me when she is ready to go. It's nice to be at the hospital to bond with Ellison and give her the attention she deserves, but man, there is somebody in here ALL... THE.... TIME!!!! And with that initial rush of adrenaline of having the baby it is impossible to sleep at night. Then when I was ready to sleep Ellison wanted to be awake and nurse for about two hours straight! She wasn't upset when she was up, she was just up! I can already tell my milk is coming in, so hopefully her tummy will be nice and full and she'll sleep longer tonight.