OKADOKIEDAYS: july nineteenth

this is the story of you, your beginning into this world and into our lives...

as soon as she confirmed we were pregnant, dr. D offered to induce delivery so you and your sister’s birthdays were as far apart as possible. she said july 2nd would be a good time and you should be nice and healthy, but just like with sister, we decided to just let nature take its course and not come in after you. so, july 16th was the intended goal.

i was totally sick the first 12 weeks of the pregnancy. i was nauseous most of the waking hours, and the only thing that helped was eating small meals and snacks, just about constantly. i craved good, home-cooking-type food. i ate in the servery at work A LOT, mostly lunch but sometimes breakfast too. but once 12 weeks was up, like clockwork, i felt 100% better and had no major issues the rest of the way. dr. D did watch for a while as the placenta seemed to be attached low, but as things progressed it got better and was no longer a concern.

by the time july rolled around, i was regretting not having scheduled your delivery like dr. D first offered. the hot weather seemed to make me particularly more miserable, so i took advantage of our pool any chance i could. nighttime story-time with sister suffered as anytime i laid down to read to her, i ended up yawning so much or falling asleep altogether. july 16th came and went, so at my july 18th appointment, i begged for an induction appointment. dr. D’s nurse called over to the hospital and there was an opening for the next day, so i went back to work with news that that day would be my last, as i was going to have a baby on july 19th!! talk about lifted spirits on a tired pregnant lady...

so on the 19th, we dropped sister off at daycare and then headed to my 7:30am induction appointment. grandma pat was in town for the occasion. i got settled into the delivery suite and hooked up to the petocin. the nurse told me to let her know when i was ready for the epidural. the contractions started coming, which was different from when your sister was born because contractions with her started naturally. i felt more pain and quicker with you, so after about an hour, i requested the epidural. the nurse told me the anesthesiologist was on the way, and luckily i was first on the list once he arrived. i am glad i asked when i did then! the nurses kept checking on me and said i was progressing great (i.e. fast) and they were going to alert the doctor. it was about 10:30 when daddy & grandma decided to run a get a bite to eat. they made it back right when the nurse told me she was calling the doctor because it was about that time. she had just checked things and asked me for a push, so i did, and then she quickly said to stop and ran to call for the doctor. it only took one real push and you were here! first and foremost, dr. D commented on your beautiful dimples.

big sister became a "big sister" at the age of 2. you took some getting used to - what with all the crying and lying around you did, but now you two are inseparable partners in crime.