Geez, where has the time gone?

I cannot believe it's been over 2 months since I posted last. I keep meaning too but every time I sit down to do it something comes up!

Last time I checked in I was about to meet my new baby. The induction went amazingly well.

This is our Baby Girl's Birth Story

After getting J settled with a dear friend of ours we headed to the hospital. I was really nervous about being induced.

We arrived at 7:15am and by 7:30am I was in the delivery room getting the prostaglandin gel applied. I was 3cms dilated and had been contracting sporadically prior to that but nothing regular. My OB explained that the gel was to get things softer and I shouldn't expect to go into full blown labour with just the gel. He would be back at noon to break my water. So, B and I walked the halls of the maternity wing all morning long with little breaks every half hour to be hooked up to the monitor by our wonderful nurse Anne to check on baby. Baby was doing great but was still pretty high up and my contractions seemed to get a little stronger but still weren't in any kind of pattern.

At 12:30pm my OB returned to break my water. I was a little disappointed to hear that I was now 3 and a half cms dilated but everything was clear, baby was still doing great and we were told to keep walking. Within about an hour I started to contract regularly at about 5 mintues apart but I was still comfortable.

By 2pm the half hour intervals between monitor checks with the nurse seemed to be coming faster and faster. I was getting uncomfortable but still handling the contractions well.

At 3:30pm I must have looked like things were changing and I was so uncomfortable through the contractions when I was lying on the bed during that monitor check that the nurse decided to check me herself to see where I was at in terms of dilation. I was 7cms. I begged to get up and when she said that was fine I hopped off the bed.

Things progressed quickly from there. Within about 5 minutes I felt intense pressure. I ran to the bathroom to pee and when I came out I knew this was it - I just HAD to push! I could tell there was a sense of panic from B and the nurse too. She told me not to push that I couldn't be ready for that yet and to at least wait for the Dr. She ran out of the room to call my OB. She quickly returned with another nurse who both realized this was it for me and asked what I wanted to do (stand and wait or get on the bed) I didn't care I just wanted to push.

Soon the Dr arrived. He had a look and scrambled to his feet to get his gear on since the head was right there. There was no time to even break down the bed. I was told it was ok to push so I did with all my might. On the third push the Dr was encouraging me by saying "push, push" and suddenly he shouted "stop, stop!" - too late! the baby came flying out and was on the table faster than anyone expected.

It was incredible. I asked if it was a boy or girl. B had already whispered it in my ear twice apparently but I didn't hear him. The Dr held her up and said look for yourself but the umbilical cord was in the way and I couldn't really tell. Finally everyone said: "She's a GIRL!" B and I are truly tickled pink! Our little girl is as healthy as can be and so beautiful. She was born at 4:04pm and was 6lbs 12 oz and 21 inches tall and perfect in every way!

Her big brother is adjusting well to his new role. Today he did something that brought tears to my eyes. Baby L was napping in her swing (which was not swinging at the time) and her blanket slipped off her lap. I was busy folding clothes and was about to get up when J toddled over, grabbed the blanket off the floor and gently replaced it on L's lap being careful not to cover her face. He said sweetly, "Ok Baby, sleep sleep" and then he turned on the swing and switched on the music button and tried his best to hum along to the lullaby.

I cherish every second of every day these days since I know these sweet and gentle times will pass so quickly. I am so blessed.