You were due on February 12, but no one thought you'd wait that long. We were prepared - had been for weeks, literally. I was at MooMoo and Papa John's house in January to wait for your appearance. However, due date came and passed with no sign of you. Then it was daddy's birthday. Then Livvy's. No sign of you. Then Uncle Kyle's birthday passed. And MooMoo's. No one could believe how late I was. I got question after question. "Do you feel any closer?" "Do you think you'll go soon?" "When are you going to have this baby?" It all just frustrated me.
On Friday the 21st, Candy called to let me know she had scheduled an appointment for the following Tuesday for a nonstress test to check things out. From there, we'd have a few days before I'd have to be induced (or she would try breaking my water). On Saturday morning, MooMoo treated Oma, Aunt D, Livvy and me by getting our nails done. That afternoon, I went for a 4 mile walk/jog. That evening, I went with Daddy, Livvy and Ian to the top of the hill to Uncle Kyle's cabin. It was a bumpy ride. I went to bed feeling nothing.
That night, I woke up sick. My stomach was upset and I felt like sleeping on the bathroom floor. By about 5:30, MooMoo and I wondered if I was in labor. I wasn't feeling contractions really, but I had "waves" where I felt like I had to use the bathroom, but couldn't, and it was awful. We called Candy about 6 on Sunday morning (the 23rd), who had us check for progress, but MooMoo couldn't tell anything so we went to Harrison. When we got there, I was a 3 and not in labor, so Candy asked if I could stay around and rest. So I tried to nap.
At about 8:45, I woke up with contractions and continued to labor, eventually getting into the jacuzzi tub about noon (at that point, I was somewhere past a 4). This labor was the worst I've had. I don't know if it's from lack of exercise (probably so) or lack of mental preparation (probably so), but the last hour or so was torturous. I eventually got out of the tub, around 1:30 or 1:45, and was checked (at a 7...3 more to go!). After the okay from Candy and Emory, I started pushing and you were born at 2:16 pm (7 lbs, 10.7 oz/21 inches long/ 13 in head circum.).
We never found out the gender during pregnancy, so it was exciting to finally know if you were a boy or girl. Livvy had been dying for a sister and I was happy that we would be able to bring you home to her. We had already decided on your name, Claire Pauline, but it still seemed surreal that you were actually here.
Due to loss of a little more blood than usual, we hung around Candy's for about an hour. MooMoo bought Arby's sandwiches and brought them back for us. Eventually, we got to go home and meet your siblings. Livvy and Ian adored you from the beginning. Ian kept asking to "hold it" and Livvy hovered around you no matter who was holding you.
You are now a week and a half old. Your siblings still adore you, although Ian sometimes asks for people to put "baby down!" You are nursing great, sleeping well, and are very strong. You are alert and smiley. You are a content baby, not crying unless you are wet, dirty or hungry. You still have the stump of your umbilical cord - I think you're going to have an outie. =)
I've enjoyed being your mother so far and I can't wait to see what the rest of life brings for our family of five!
At about 8:45, I woke up with contractions and continued to labor, eventually getting into the jacuzzi tub about noon (at that point, I was somewhere past a 4). This labor was the worst I've had. I don't know if it's from lack of exercise (probably so) or lack of mental preparation (probably so), but the last hour or so was torturous. I eventually got out of the tub, around 1:30 or 1:45, and was checked (at a 7...3 more to go!). After the okay from Candy and Emory, I started pushing and you were born at 2:16 pm (7 lbs, 10.7 oz/21 inches long/ 13 in head circum.).
We never found out the gender during pregnancy, so it was exciting to finally know if you were a boy or girl. Livvy had been dying for a sister and I was happy that we would be able to bring you home to her. We had already decided on your name, Claire Pauline, but it still seemed surreal that you were actually here.
Due to loss of a little more blood than usual, we hung around Candy's for about an hour. MooMoo bought Arby's sandwiches and brought them back for us. Eventually, we got to go home and meet your siblings. Livvy and Ian adored you from the beginning. Ian kept asking to "hold it" and Livvy hovered around you no matter who was holding you.
You are now a week and a half old. Your siblings still adore you, although Ian sometimes asks for people to put "baby down!" You are nursing great, sleeping well, and are very strong. You are alert and smiley. You are a content baby, not crying unless you are wet, dirty or hungry. You still have the stump of your umbilical cord - I think you're going to have an outie. =)
I've enjoyed being your mother so far and I can't wait to see what the rest of life brings for our family of five!
