You're Here!

You're really truly here! I had contractions at night for two days before your birth, so sleep was difficult for both myself and daddy who held my hand through each one. Then on Wednesday the 4th daddy and Gigi and Grandpa Schaub ran to the store. While they were gone the contractions got stronger and closer together. When daddy got home I was in tears from the pain and we called the Dr on call to see if we should go to the hospital yet. Doctor said yes! At the hospital we were seen in labor and delivery triage where we watched the contractions for about an hour before being admitted at 3 centimeters dialated. In the labor room daddy made sure all our family knew you were on the way and your grandma's and aunt Darci all rushed down to be with us. Your daddy tells the labor story so much better than I can at this point because he was awake for it all. But I ended up deciding I wanted an epidural due to the pain of the contractions. The first one went in incorrectly and only numbed my legs, so it had to be removed and a second one placed, but it did the trick! I promptly passed out and according to daddy I slept for a solid 3 hours. While I was out, the nurse checked on my progress and decided to call Dr Woods to come in, and said she'd be back in a few hours to check on us again because I was only dialated to 5 centimeters. But when she got ready to leave she noticed on the monitor my contractions were getting stronger and even closer together! She quickly realized you would be here even sooner than she thought! Dr. Woods came in and checked me about 20 minutes later and I was dialated to 10 centimeters and ready to push! Now I know I said in the past that I didn't want anyone in the room during your birth except daddy and aunt Darci (so she could take pictures for us) but when Dr. Woods said I could push, I realized we needed all the support we could get. Grandma Shannon held one leg and Nana held the other while daddy and Gigi held my hands. Aunt Darci monkey climbed on all the furniture to get the best shots possible! And then my sweet little miracle, after a short 32 minutes of pushing you came into our world and hearts kicking and screaming! I remember hearing everyone excitedly saying "we see hair, we see hair!!!" Dr. Woods delivered you at 4:47am on Thursday, April 5th, while sitting on the side of my hospital bed, and promptly placed gooey, bloody, you on my chest for the very first time and I knew in an instant I would move mountains for you. You became my world in am instant. The nurses cleaned you up while you laid on my bare chest, crying. I was able to hold you while daddy cut your umbilical cord and then the nurses took you to get your weight and vitals real quick bemfore bringing you right back. You weighed 6 pounds and 15 ounces and were 19.25 inches long. So tiny in size yet so big in our hearts! As I write this, I reflect on the whirlwind week werlve experienced with you. On day 1 we were in the hospital recuperating. Day two we took you home where you slept all day but were inconsolable all night, not wanting to breast feed and not having any wet diaper since the morning Day three had us taking you to the ER afraid you were dehydrated as you were still not feeding and hadn't had a wet diaper yet. A lactation specialist met us at the ER where she was able to determine we were doing everything right and you were just fine! The problem was that my very thick but easy for you to suck, colostrum was changing to milk, causing my breasts to be hard, making it difficult for you to feed. She taught me how to self express and told us to start pumping too! Man was I relieved! I cried happy tears right then and there! Day 4 was full of pumping and feeding and naps for both you and I. Gigi and Grandpa Schaub stayed with us, helping around the house and making sure I had snacks ready so I could eat on the fly while I fed you, and they went home on day 5. We're glad for their help but also glad to have time alone with you to figure out this new adventure called Parenthood. That evening Auntie Shawnee, herom Rose and Uncle Cory came I've and made us spaghetti for dinner. Day 6 was full of poop. While changing your poopy diaper, you managed to shoot poop from your bum directly on me! What a mess. Needless to say, we all 3 got baths and showers! Day seven is just a few short hours away and I still can't believe how amazing you are. Daddy and I both spend so much time just staring at you. You are so beautiful and soft and we get lost just looking at you. You are in your bassinet next tou our bed and you keep grunting, so I guess that's my cue to go change another poopy diaper! Keep em coming sister. It means you have food in your belly. You are happy and content and we'll loved and cared for. Catch ya later little Everleigh Elizabeth! Love, mommy