Grace's Arrival continued

So I have been meaning to do this post for a long time, especially when you consider that Grace is 2 months already.  But I promise that I have a good excuse other than my life being extremely crazy.  My laptop is old and was having some issues.  One such issue was that the hard drive was completely full and there was nothing to erase to make more room.  So basically I  couldn't load any pictures onto my computer.  It has been driving me crazy and Dustin got me a new laptop last week so now I am back in business.  I know some of you don't care about this story, but I want to have it written down so I don't forget.  I have tons of pictures in this post so feel free to skip to those.

As I was nearing 37 weeks I just felt like Grace would be making her entrance soon.  That was about when Ella was born, plus I just felt as though my body couldn't handle much more.  I don't think it was possible for my belly to grow any bigger.  I was 37 weeks and 1 day on Sunday the 18th.  That evening I started having some contractions but I didn't think much of it because I had been having Braxton Hicks for months.  I went to bed and Dustin was up working late.  I kept having contractions and I couldn't sleep so I played a game on my phone for a long time.  When Dustin finally came to bed I was still up and told him about the contractions. I still wasn't sure that this was the real deal so we both went to sleep.  With Ella my water broke, so I didn't have to time contractions and determine if I was really in labor.  I was only able to sleep a couple hours, and when I woke up I was surprised that I was still having contractions and they were getting a little uncomfortable.  I couldn't believe that I had been sleeping through them.  My doctor told me to come to the hospital when I could no longer speak through the contractions, and I was definitely not to that point.  I woke Dustin up and we started keeping track around 4 in the morning.  They were about 4 to 5 minutes apart for a couple hours so we figured Grace would be coming that day.  We called my mom so that she could drive down to stay with Ella, and we called Dustin's parents so that they could start the drive from St. George.  

We headed to the hospital around 8 or 9 and by the time we got there I was pretty uncomfortable.  Dustin's grandma got there right when we did so we had some company.  The nurses got me hooked up to the monitors and started checking me for progress.  I think over 2 hours or so I only dilated one more centimeter and my nurse was nervous they might have to send me home.  My doctor wasn't in at the time and the on call doctor saw that I was just barely 37 weeks and wasn't sure that I would stay.  I was in quite a bit of pain, and in my head I was thinking there was NO way I was going home.  My nurse was awesome and she had me get up and walk for an hour to see if I would progress more quickly, and it worked.  I was dilating enough that the on call doctor had me get my epidural and broke my water. The doctor couldn't believe how much amniotic fluid I had, no wonder I was so huge! Dustin's parents got to the hospital around 1 and I got my epidural about an hour later.  It relieved my pain for maybe 45 minutes or an hour.  But then I was pushing the button trying to get more of the medicine and nothing was happening.  The anesthesiologist came back in and said everything was fine and that I was getting the medicine.  They had just barely started my pitocin so I knew the contractions were going to get a lot stronger.  Dustin's parents and Grandma went for lunch in the cafeteria, and while they were gone a lot happened.  My nurse came in and confirmed that I wasn't receiving my epidural, somehow the machine had paused.  She checked my and I was at a 7.  This is when the real pain started.  My nurse left for maybe 5 minutes and while she was gone I felt so much discomfort and pain and I was praying that I was almost done.  When she came back she checked me and I was at a 10, and she couldn't believe it. Dustin called his parents and Grandma to rush back.   I remember feeling so desperate to be done, that is as close as a natural child birth that I think I could handle.  My legs were just a little numb, because once the problem was discovered, I progressed too quickly for it to make a difference.

While I was at the hospital I was under the impression that my doctor was out of the office and wouldn't be able to deliver me.  But he happened to come in that afternoon for an interview that ended up not happening.  Because I progressed so fast he was able to be there.  He came rushing down and when I saw him I started crying.  I was in so much pain and was so ready for her to come out and seeing a familiar face was awesome. He promised me he could be in his scrubs in 30 seconds and he wasn't joking.  The rest is a little bit of a blur but I know I pushed for just a couple minutes before Grace came out.  I remember my Dr. saying that this was as big of a baby that my body could handle.  I definitely felt that way.  I still remember how great it felt when her head was out and then her whole body, such relief!!  Because Grace came down so fast she had swallowed a bunch of fluid and the nurses had to pump her stomach to get it out.  She actually had to have it done again that night because the fluid was making her sick and she didn't want to eat.  Grace kept scaring us because she would kind of choke on the fluid and stop breathing for a few seconds.  Not to get all churchy on everyone, but Dustin and I said a prayer that she would be okay, and after that she didn't have any more problems.  Anyway, back to right when she was born, other than the fluid she was perfect and weighed 6 lbs. 12 ounces (just 1 ounce less than Ella) and she was 19.75 inches long.  She was born at 4:31 p.m. Because she came out so fast she looked really good and wasn't too squished.  She was so cute and we were so happy to meet her.  I was especially excited when she nursed like a champ right after she was born.  Those of you who know what we went through with Ella will understand why I was so happy.

The second time around was definitely different than the first.  I knew what to expect, but this labor was totally opposite from Ella's.  I really think the whole process is such a miracle and it is an amazing experience. I could have done with a little less pain, but in the end I was totally proud of myself for being tough. Our hospital stay was awesome, except for the problems I mentioned earlier.  I was so nervous about the whole nursing thing but I got a lot of help and it went great.  Through the whole process Dustin was by my side and was amazing as usual.  He is an incredible dad and I just love seeing him with our girls.  I feel like they are always going to have the cool dad.  Dustin's dad was and is that way so Dustin had a great example.  Dustin was my rock through everything, especially through all of those crazy hormones after the birth that make me cry a lot and doubt myself.  Grace did have bad jaundice and had to be under the lights at home for a few days.  It was difficult and I hated having to take her back in to get her blood taken. But I was just grateful that she was at home and not in the NICU like Ella had been. We are so in love with our little Grace and she has been such a joy.  Our lives were total chaos at first but things are starting to calm down.  I feel really lucky to have 2 healthy, adorable girls and I wouldn't change anything for the world.

Get ready for tons of pictures...

This is my last pregnant picture.  This is when we were walking the halls to see if I would make more progress.  Dustin was laughing because I looked like a tent with a head on top.  In my defense I have 2 gowns on :)  I really was huge, wasn't I?   

Mid contraction

 This was probably taken during the short time that my epidural was working, that would explain the smile.

 Dustin and his Dad keeping me company.

Grace is here!!

Daddy putting on her first diaper.

Can you tell how happy I am to be done?  I was so excited to eat something since it had been almost 24 hours.

 I was so excited to meet my little girl.

Dustin with the awesome Dr. Kaelbarer

Dustin's Mom and Grandma meeting Grace.

On the elevator ride up to my recovery room.

My Mom and Ella meeting Grace for the first time.

The 3 loves of my life.

Ella was so cute with Grace and was really excited to hold her.

Grandma Jana

A great picture of her awake.

Going home.

I want to thank everyone who visited us in the hospital and helped us out when we got home.  My mom stayed with Ella and then stayed for 5 more days to help us out.  She kept my house clean, my laundry done, and pretty much everything else too.  It truly was a great experience and we love being a family of 4 now.