Anna Grace

June 1, 2013
I awoke that morning at about 6:30am to some simple, yet real, contractions. One here, one there. Nothing much. After a few I decided I should time them just to be sure. At this point they were coming about every 10 minutes and were lasting about 45 seconds. Still, they weren't too regular, so I didn't think much of it. Tom decided it would be a good idea to take our dog Payton over to his brother's house, just in case, and then he called his mom to have her come over to watch the kids - again, just in case. I showered, ate some light food (just in case, of course), and then called the doctor's office at 9am when they opened. I was told to come in when I could to be checked. By 10am Tom and I had our bags packed and ready to go and headed to the docs office, leaving Grammy with the kids. By this time the contractions were taking my breath away, they hurt, and were about 7 minutes apart. When my doctor checked me she said I was dilated to 6 or 7cm and about 80% effaced. I was officially in labor! She told us to go straight to the hospital and she would be about 10 minutes behind.

On the way to the hospital Tom was timing the drive and I timed my contractions, asking him to avoid bumps! He dropped me off at the ER drop off (it was the only door open on the weekend) at 10:40am and I walked in and told the girl at the desk, "I'm in labor." She called for a nurse. By the time Tom met up with me I was being whisked away to labor and delivery. By the time I was able to get "dressed" and ready for labor my contractions weren't stopping and I was in laborious agony. Still trying to breath smoothly, the nurse said I was 9.5cm and it was too late for medicinal intervention. Oh, at that point I would've given anything for an epidural or narcotic (gasp!). It was in my birth plan that I wanted NO narcotics. At this point I knew she was coming and I wanted relief, so I didn't care. As I laid there I was telling Tom "I can't" all the while knowing that I have to anyway! I wanted to cry but I didn't have time to worry about that. I was doing my best to breath and go with the flow, but, uh, well, it was rather intense. So here I am, secretly pushing because I didn't know what else to do, even though the doctor wasn't there yet. My water then broke, no, popped like a balloon, and all I remember through my closed eye lids were the sounds of shock as the nurses didn't expect such a rush of water! At this point the OB on call came in since my doctor still wasn't at the hospital. Then we were in business! Time to start pushing, it was all I could do, even though I really didn't want to do it because I was in pain. I wanted a break. I didn't get one. She was coming! A few pushes and she was out. My doctor finally came in to deliver the shoulders and the rest of Anna. She was born at 11:15am.

Ahhh, I was done. Praise God, it was over. I could hardly open my eyes to look at her - they wanted to stay shut. My legs started shaking uncontrollably - my body was in a little bit of shock. It all happened so fast. Anna Grace was 19.5 inches and 7.5 lbs. And just like that my pregnancy was over and I was able to meet my little girl.

 Here are some pictures of her first days in this world.

She is my bright-eyed girl. Great Granny Freda was there to meet her! 

One week old

These professional photos were taken by my friend Jasmine
http://www.bloombyjasmine.com/index2.php#!/HOME

Her brother and sister LOVE her. They can't stop giving her kisses, and they always want to hug her and have her join them in their activities. It's really sweet. 

And then there were three. Tom and I have decided that our family is complete, Lord willing. We are so happy to have Anna here and start our lives as a full family.

God has been so good to us and we know that we are truly blessed.