Birth story (long and most likely only interesting to those who are pregnant and, like me want to read all birth stories to prepare.)

Friday night I kept waking up feeling extreamly uncomfortable but just thought it was the typical pregnancy pains. Early in the morning, while peeing for the millionth time I noticed it may be more than that. However, I did not want to get my hopes up so I did not say anything.

We spent the morning at the sidewalk chalk festival and I felt some cramping. Then went home for naps (which totally did not happen) I was exhausted and could not figure out why.

By about 4 pm I had what I thought might be contractions but did not want to jump to conclusions. I just told Cory I may be having Calli in the next few days. Went to target with Jocelyn then went to her good friend's birthday party. At that point I knew I was having contractions but thought they were 30 minutes apart. I sent Cory about 30 minutes away to spend time with friends and stayed at the party. My mom called me and told me to time the contractions, so I did. Surprise! They were 10 minutes apart. But I was not sure if they were strong enough to be considered "labor". So I stayed. At about 715 I figured it would be better to be safe than sorry and told Cory to come home. I then asked my wonderful friend if she could watch Jocelyn and started to walk home to get everything ready. On the way home the contractions picked up in intensity and I knew this was the real thing.

Side note, some of our neighbors were driving by and joked about honking to send me I to labor. To which I replied that I was. It still seems so odd to me that I was just walking along having a conversation about how I was in labor. It is so not what they make it seem like in the movies.

Anyway, packed the bags, and we were off to the hospital around 8ish. Right when we got to our room the contractions hit the point that I was glad I was getting an epidural. The nurse checked me and I was dilated to a 5, almost completely effaced and baby was super low. Then the blessed anasesioalogist arrived. Really now, props to you if you go without pain meds but for me it's a godsend. Back labor is no joke people. (well probably labor in general is not, but you know.) 

The epidural did not completely numb my left side but I did not mind because I was able to kind of know what was going on without being in major pain. They broke my water around 930 and said she would most likely come very quickly. (another note, apparently she was head down but facing my left side and the nurse said that is most likely why she did not come before 38 weeks.)

At 1050 the nurse came in because the monitor was not picking up her heartbeat. After a few minutes of trying to find it she finally moved the monitor about as low as she could and behold, there was Calli, ready to come out. She notified the Dr. and everyone prepared for baby time. They got everything ready and I began to push around 11:14 and she was born 6 minutes later.6 lbs .6 oz and 19 inches long and a good set of lungs. ( she cried until she was swaddled)

I honestly, feel that out of all 40 weeks of pregnancy, labor is the easiest part. Most likely because of my epidural and small children, but I am grateful for it. I have an amazing Dr. and the nurses were wonderful. We love little miss Calli Joy and already cannot imagine life without her.

The arrival.

So two days after writing the 38 post, little Calli is here. It is 4 am and I cannot sleep because I am so happy and in love with my little family. I cannot wait for the morning when Jocelyn meets her baby sister. She is so excited. I cannot wait to just spend time with us all together. How exciting this all is!

But most of all, while I sit here unable to sleep I am just overcome with my love and appreciation of the plan of salvation. This is my family and we are forever. I cannot stop smiling and I love it.

Little girl all "cheesy" as one friend described her. (its kind of true.)

All cozy after her bath.

38

So probably anyone other than my family thinks." Two weeks from your due date, getting close." I (and my family are thinking, Why is she not here yet? for real?) I NEVER expected to be seeing week 38. Needless to say I have been so overly anxious this week to get her here.

I am walking every day
Cleaning
Even when I am tired, I try not to rest.
Cory told me I am crazy. And I am.

On Thursday I had my Dr. apt. (when you are in the last month of pregnancy you have them each week.)

I got there and they brought me to my room and then I waited. And while I waited, I thought. I thought about how tired I am. So very tired. I have been pretty much running non-stop since I found out I was pregnant. It has been nice because things went by fast, but difficult because.....I am tired.

I thought about taking a nap while waiting, I even tried to lay down. That made me think about the fact that, currently, I cannot lay down. If I do two things happen 1) Anything I have had to eat tries to come up 2) my hips hurt like crazy...this one is more to blame on me slipping on the ice in Feb, pregnancy just does not help it.

So then I thought about how nice it would be to be comfortable in my body again. Then I thought.....if I were to go in to labor soon, I could get an epidural and take a little nap before pushing her out then eat a good meal after and not be sick to my stomach. I have heard of people doing that, and it sounds marvelous.

I thought, and thought and thought about all the things I am so sick of with pregnancy and how I look forward to being done with them. And how I want to be home with my girls so bad instead of working. (I love my job, however, I am excited to have a short period of time home with my family.)

Then the Dr. came in and did the typical check up. Which is not super enjoyable, especially since apparently this baby is really really low.

And she said, "Well, when she does come, I think it will be fast. So, don't hang out at home. Just get to the hospital." Which, is good. But its not. "Oh, baby is coming now. Lets go to the hospital." (not that I really expected that.)

I replied, "Well, hopefully she comes soon."

To which she replied, "Yes, hopefully. But if not, I will see you next week." and she left the room.

And. I cried.

Yes, I cried. Why? Probably because I am crazy. And because after allowing myself to think of all the things that are making being pregnant right now so difficult, I just wanted to know that I would not be pregnant anymore. One week is usually not that long, but at that time, it felt like an eternity. I. Do. Not. Want. To See. Her. Next. Week!.

And yet, here I am, a day later (only one day?!!!) still pregnant. Most of the day I was doing anything and everything to get her to come. Then Cory finally told me to stop. He said I was making this whole thing worse for myself. And, I think he was right.

I am not saying I love everything, but if I keep focusing on why I no longer want to be pregnant, every day,hour,minute and second I remain so will drive me crazy. So......here I am. I am still pregnant and....that is ok. Or I am hoping it is. I want her to come so bad, but I will stop trying to make her come and just let her come, when she is ready and healthy. It is no longer worth my sanity. Sigh.....I still hope she chooses to come before October 6 though. here is to hoping.....

37

So this is what it feels like to just want baby to come? Every time I feel a contraction, I anxiously await and hope for another.....no deal. I feel pressure like no other and hope my water will break....no deal. Go to the Dr. and even she says, "wow this baby is REALLY low." Makes you think...man she is ready! No deal.

See, last time I was all set and ready to go to 41 weeks. Everyone said it was typical for the first baby to go past the due date. No problem. But now, this baby is already a week past when Jocelyn came. Sure, it would be ideal for her to stay in a little longer, but to me, this is the end of pregnancy. I don't like this whole, uncomfortable, unable to sleep, unable to bend down and pick things up, feeling sick and HUGE thing. Its not my favorite and I didn't have that with Jocelyn so it is new. And annoying. But I also know its good........eh.

Then there is Jocelyn, this girl can tell something is coming. For the most part she is super excited. The last two mornings she has said, "I want to see baby sister in the hospital!" The baby dolls that she was given when she was a year old that she never gave a second glance now go everywhere with her. every. where. She takes care of them, like baby sister.

But she is also VERY clingy to us. She cries when either of us are gone.

As I give her a hug and leave for work...she follows me, grabs onto my leg so I cannot walk and I have to pry her off and close the door to my sobbing child saying, "No go to work! Mommy, no go to work!"

I have been working since she was 6 weeks old. She has had a few tough moments but has not been like this. It is heart breaking. Then Cory drops her off at daycare. And she does the same to him, and he tells me...."you can have the baby any time now so I don't have to drop her off." It kills him to see her like that.

And it makes me more impatient. Not for me, but for my family. Do I think it will be a piece of cake being home with a baby and Jocelyn? Absolutely not. Especially because we know Jocelyn does not make anything a piece of cake.  But I will get to be home with them and be the mom that does not leave for work, even if it is just for a short time.

So here I am, done with pregnancy. Getting excited at anything that remotely resembles anything I felt last time I went into labor (maybe it was better to have no idea what to expect...) thinking....hopefully tomorrow's apt is my last. Or maybe I won't even make it! Why I do this to myself...I have no idea. But here is to hoping! (Just watch...she will go to 41 weeks.....)

35 weeks

The time of waiting for baby girl is nearing its end. I know I probably mention it all the time, but at this time with Jocelyn, I was not even near ready. I remember approaching this week for work and thinking, "I will pack my hospital bag and get everything squared away at work next week. Most first babies are born after their due date anyway so that is good timing." Little did I know that I would have Jocelyn at 36 weeks.

I had no hospital bag
No outfit to take her home in
We had yet to even bother figuring out how to install the carseat
Nothing was prepared for baby to come home. Nothing. Including the two parents.

Come March 1 when I finally realized I was in labor (I was in serious denial for quite a while) Cory just grabbed me one change of clothes while I worked through contractions and we drove the 20 minutes from Draper to Provo where I would have her. He bought the smallest thing at Target he could find to take her home in and I spent the two days in the hospital in a hospital gown because I only had a sweatshirt and nothing friendly to nursing.

Needless to say, we were not prepared.

This time, I want to be ready. I also happen to have the ability to "nest". I have been washing and going through all the newborn-3 month clothes, getting Jocelyn's room ready to share with her sister, and trying.......to organize our home.

Though we are having another girl, we have been blessed with amazing family and friends who have asked us if we need anything. To be honest, I cannot for the life of me remember what a new baby needs!

We have the following:

Diapers (thanks to my awesome friends and neighbors for throwing me a shower!)
Wipes
newborn and 0-3 onsies a plenty (40 to be exact)
sleepers
burp cloths
blankets
pack and play
bouncer
car seat
stroller
carrier

As for what we do not currently have and could either use or...I just happen to want, I have come up with the following:

Baby lotion
Car seat cover (my awesome mom is making this)
Big Sister, Little sister shirts (want in every way but I think it would be cute.)
New crib (Jocelyn still sleeps in hers.)
Winter clothes for 3-6 months possible 6-9 as well
Summer clothes for 9-18 months


That is about what I can think of. So.....can anyone think of anything I am missing? I just don't remember......