June 22nd, 2013

A day we will not soon forget...

Our last saturday as a four pack.  

I had big plans for beautifying before "the big day". Robb took the kids to McDonald's for some pancakes and then to target for some snacks for the day, this allowed me to sleep in and have some quiet time before my appt. I woke up and perused Facebook. Even did a little status update about having "six short sweet days" before being a mom of 3! Then I got up out of bed and my water broke. Yep, not 6 days, not even 6 hours. I ran to the bathroom, grabbing my phone as I went by. Thinking--oh my goodness did that really just happen?! I called Robb twice but his phone was on silence from his work week so I sent a text message ( something like ..I need you home now, my water broke!!), then called my work to tell them my water broke and I was on my way in and texted my doctor. The obvious next move was to get into the shower, you know, since there was a change of my big plans. Robb got home and thought I was crazy to be in the shower. He started running around gathering our hospital bag, the kids bags, calling his sister to see if she could take the kids for the day, sweating like nobody's business. I wavered between crying and trying to keep my cool. Crying for so SO many reasons. That I did something wrong to cause my water to brake. Because I was about to meet my baby girl. Because I was still supposed to have 6 days to prepare our house, our kids, our lives and most importantly my mind about adding a sweet baby to our mix. And crying because it was all happening so fast! 

While in the shower, my doctor called and said he would meet me at the hospital and help us have a baby. I told him something like " take your time, my water broke but I'm not contracting..." Famous last  words. Wouldn't you know it, I started contracting every 3 minutes from that point until I laid down after getting my spinal and could no long feel them! 

Robb was able to corral me into the car and we talked through what would do with the kids, the dogs, and his work. It was exciting. We met his sister Lisa in the hospital parking lot and passed off Max and Grace. Then we (i) waddled my way into the hospital. We rode the elevator up since I was a patient and not going to work. We got into triage and I was doubled teamed ( i mean this in the very best way) by Jen and Jodi both I had as a labor nurse with  Max and Gracie. Then it really went fast. One would be asking questions the other putting in my IV. Soon I was ushered into the OR and about to meet our baby! I remember it all being so surreal. My mind could not wrap around it. ( I'm not sure it has yet!)

I noticed new things laying there in OR. A place I've been seems like hundreds of times. The shadows that dance on the ceiling. Trying to imagine what might be happening on the other side of that blue drape. I could hear mumbling on the other side but couldn't make anything out. Soon there was a call to get cameras ready and then a little cry. Such a sweet cry. I love her cry. Not all cries are cute. Hers is. She was pretty calm in there but I appreciated the few bellows she let out just to tell me she was indeed here and ok! Then she was weighed. 7lbs 14 oz. my smallest baby! Not by much. Grace was 7lbs 15 oz, otherwise same dimensions.. 21inches long, 14 inch head. I couldn't wait to see her and hold her. Once she was all swaddled up Robb brought her over for me to see. She has my eyes, the same as Max, and Gracie's nose, little lips, and soft sweet cheeks that are irresistible to smooch. The rest of the time was a blur. Especially a few weeks out. I remember chatting a lot with Erin Angelats about having 3 kids. Then getting to hold and really check her over. Seeing who it was wiggling around in there. She nursed very well, something like 20 minutes each side. We had a few fun visits from my coworker friends. We made phone calls and Jen gave her a bath. Then we headed up to 4th floor. We had a few hours of quiet before Robb's parent came and Lisa came back with the kids. Jerry brought balloons and a  Birthday cake for Gia. It was fun to have the kids meet their new little sister. Max wasn't too interested but there was cake and his cousins came, too. Grace took a minute to put it all together that this was indeed our baby. It wasn't  just a tall tale that Gia would come out of my belly! Once she absorbed it she wanted to hug her, hold her, and give her kisses. It was so sweet, not to mention nerve wracking.  Lois and Jerry agreed to take the kids back to their house until we left the hospital. they also  stopped on their way down and picked up the dogs to bring them to the pet hotel. Thank you so much! you were life savers!

I think my dad and Julie came by after dads work at Costco. Since it had thunder stormed he night before many people's power had gone out along with Costcos. So I remember dad saying that he spent his day ridding the place of all the spoiled food and trying to get it ready for shoppers. I wonder if it was all the "weather" that got me into labor. I've always wondered about that phenomenon of barometric pressure changing and inducing labor. That's all I can remember from that day. That and we were so glad miss Gia picked her birthday and that she was here safe and sound.

And that we had cable to watch.