The Waiting Game: As a preface, I thought and hoped I would have her early since my two sisters have had ALL of their babies early. I had my hospital bagged packed a month early, my freezer was full of weeks worth of freezer meals I'd made, and the house was organized and scrubbed from top to bottom. I'd worked up until 3 work days before her due date. So of course her due date came and went... and no Charlotte. I tried a bunch of the tricks to induce labor with no luck. I was pretty bummed out on my due date and I remember saying, "It feels like Christmas with no presents. " That is until I talked to Ruth. She told me that I needed to chillax and enjoy this time I had as a free woman while I could do exactly what I wanted whenever I wanted. Thanks Ruth :) I was still sleeping at night and not completely miserable, so I couldn't really complain too much. We set the induction date for July 17 and I spent the next few days swimming, enjoying long afternoon naps, and Jeff taking me to Sonic late each night for my Orange Creamslush craving.
Well two days before the induction I baked cookies, went visiting teaching, and went swimming with my sisters. That night we met up with our friends Danica and Brennon for dinner and then watched the 7th Harry Potter movie with Anna and Rob in preparation for going to see the last Harry Potter movie the next morning. Well during the Harry Potter movie we ate lots of popcorn (big mistake) and I started to have some contractions. At first I didn't think much of it because I'd had false labor several times before, that went away after several hours. By the end of the movie, around 11 pm, Jeff started timing them and they were hurting bad enough that we decided it was time to go the hospital. I wanted to take a shower first (because isn't that what you do when your in labor)? Well Jeff said no way- we needed to go right away. He grabbed our bag and off we went.
Hospital Time: The drive to the hospital was the LONGEST drive of my life. It didn't help that Jeff had to pull over a few times because... popcorn is not so good the second time around. We got to the hospital around 12 am and we ran (I guess I speedily hobbled) inside between contractions. At the check in we were told their computers were down, so once we got into triage they would only have 1 million questions to ask us (even though I'd preregistered). They checked me and I was at a 7. That was when I decided I was glad I'd skipped the shower :) Triage took over an hour and I was about to lose control of my emotions- I wanted to sob and scream and perhaps say a few choice words, but luckily I had a really good nurse who firmly told me I couldn't lose control. I wanted to cry, but I didn't let myself. Jeff helped me stay calm and in control. He was such a great support and I can honestly say, I couldn't have done it without him.
Finally they moved me to the labor and delivery room. I was getting a little worried if I didn't get my epidural soon it would be too late. As a side note my sister, Wendy, had Presley natural because there was no time for an epidural... or even a doctor. So needless to say I was a little paranoid the same thing would happen to me. Thank goodness it didn't! When the anesthesiologist walked in I told him that (for reals) he couldn't imagine how happy I was to see him and that he's got to be the most popular (and loved) guy at the hospital! I was at an 8 by then and it took him 2 tries. After I got the epidural I could still feel the contractions on my left side, but after a couple hours the pain subsided and we were able to take a short nap.
Welcome to the World Charlotte: The nurse came in and checked me again and I was at a 10. Charlotte was posterior and they tried several times to turn her. They weren't able to. Basically that means a longer labor and a lot more pushing. We met our blonde haired, blue eyed baby girl at 5:23 am on July 16th. I finally let myself cry. Tears of joy.
I never experienced love at first sight until I met Charlotte. She was the most pure, precious, and beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I felt like my heart grew twice as big the moment I saw her and I loved her unconditionally. She was worth every ounce of pain and sacrifice I had and would ever make. She was perfect in every way and she was mine.
Six Months of Joy: In the six months since Charlotte was born we've only fallen more in love with her. I won't say every day has been complete bliss, because we all know that would be a lie. Some parts of my recovery have been very difficult. Discovering my new purpose in life has been, at times, hard. I still dream of the day when I can get more than 5 consecutive hours of sleep. And on a lighter note - did you know abstaining for chocolate is a legitimate form of torture?
But overall, the last 6 months have been some of the happiest of my life. She has us both wrapped around her cute little finger. I feel so lucky that I get to stay home with Charlotte each day. I am so glad I'm married to the love of my life. Jeff is an amazing dad with an infinite amount of patience, tenderness, and love. Charlotte gives us big gummy smiles all day, giggles when we tickle her or toss her in the air, makes us laugh at least 100 times a day, loves to go on errands and walks with me, and soaks up all of our compliments and kisses. She's spunky, she's strong willed, she's smart, she's sassy, she's sweet. I could have never imagined the joy and happiness she would bring us. I love my new life. I love my little family. I love my sweet Charlotte.
A few pictures from then and now:
Newborn Pictures
6 Month Pictures
(Thank you Wendy!!!)
