Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Better Late Than Never...

Has it really been almost three weeks since we had Lucy? I'm just about the worst blogger EVER, but in my defense I've spent the time in between my last post and now just staring at my Lucy. Ok, maybe there's been a little bit more than that, but the staring part is taking up quite a bit of my time. I just can't believe that she's here, I also can't believe how time flies during the day and before I know it we've spent the entire day doing... well, I don't quite know. I know there is a lot of feeding, and changing, and feeding and sleeping, and feeding and changing...again, but I think the rest of Rob and my time is spent cuddling and oooh-ing and ahh-ing over Miss. Lucy. She's just so incredible and we are still completely is awe that she is here and that she is actually OURS.

Let's get down to business though, shall we? The birth story, before I forget what actually happened and get a raging case of momnesia. I'm actually going to do this in parts, so this will be Birth Story Part I (yes, it is THAT long, and I just cannot go that long without a Lucy snuggle, hence the need to break it up into parts, and I like to keep you all coming back for more. I promise it won't be three weeks until Part II).

PART I: Early Labor

Although Lucy was so worth it and I would honestly do it again and again just to have her, labor was kind of a rough ride for awhile. Also, anyone who knows me personally, and possibly professionally, please be warned I'm not going to write the Disney version of Lucy's birth story so there may be some details that are very, er, personal...just know, you've been warned. If you don't want to know about vaginal tearing and hemorrhoids, I'd just stop right here and wait until the Birth Story posts are done in their entirety.

From beginning to end I'd say my labor (including early labor that I spent at home) clocked in at just over 30 hours. Yes, that's right, THIRTY HOURS. I can be one of those people that when Lucy is a bratty 14 year old (which I sooooo hope doesn't happen) I can say "Look here little girl, I was in labor with you for over THIRTY HOURS".

I had a bad stomachache when I woke up on the Thursday morning, which initially I wrote off as a side effect of all the junk food and entirely too many glasses of sparkling apply cider from New Years Eve the night before. Then, when I got into the shower the pain would go away, and then come back, and go away, and then come back. Hmmm... that isn't like any stomachache that I've ever had before. Also, it was in my lower back as well as my stomach, which was weird.

Rob and I had plans to go to my mom's house for New Year's Day lunch with my family that day and on our way over to the house I told him that I definitely thought that these were contractions. We decided that we wouldn't say anything to the family, especially my mother who would probably insist that we rush to the hospital immediately as soon as she heard the word "Contraction". So all throughout lunch I was very quiet as I would have contractions ever ten minutes or so, and they were pretty uncomfortable, though not unbearable. By the time my aunt and uncle left my mom's house at 4:00 we decided we better tell my mom, who immediately asked if we needed to leave, like right then. No, we told her, we were going to go get a movie and wait it out at home until they were 5 minutes apart, like out birthing class teacher had told us.

We left my (insanely excited) mother, and headed to Blockbuster to rent a movie. I had a pretty strong contraction in the car, but nothing I couldn't breath through. We rented Eagle Eye and settled down at home to enjoy our last night of just the two of us. Unfortunately, Lucy had other ideas for us. As soon as we put the movie on my contractions started getting stronger and more regular. They were ever 5-7 minutes and every time I would have one I would have to get up and pace the floor, trying to breathe like we were taught in birthing class. Rob was so amazing, he was really calm and could time the contractions on his cell phone (which strangely enough has a timer on it) and would walk with me and help me breathe through the strong ones. So, needless to say, I really didn't pay much attention to the movie! Two hours later it was about 8:00 and the contractions were now 5 minutes apart so we decided it was time to head out. We drove back over to my mother's house to pick her up. Of course, when we got there I realized I had forgotten my purse, so once we picked up my mom we had to drive back to our house to get it because I was sure I needed my insurance card (I didn't). So after returning to the house and getting my purse, we were off to the hospital. Let's go have this baby!!!

Part II to come soon, along with more pictures of our Lucy!

"Before you were born I carried you under my heart. From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment I leave it, I will always carry you in my heart."
-Mandy Harrison

24 comments:

Josie said...

Thanks for sharing- hopefully enjoying that babe is worth all you went through! 30 hours is SOOO long!!

FSD said...

Oh man! I hate cliff hangers!!! LOL. Can't wait for Part II. I'm glad you're soaking up every minute with Lucy!

I can't believe it's been 3 weeks already!!! CRAZY!!!

Bridget said...

Can't wait to hear the rest of your birth story and see new pictures of little Lucy!

Jamers said...

How exciting! She's precious... enjoy every moment with her!

N. said...

I've been reading for awhile, but I think this is my first comment.. I just wanted to congratulate you on your precious daughter. I can't wait to read the rest of her story!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for part two! FWIW, 30 hours when you count early labor isn't that uncommon for first timers. It was over 50 hours for me.

Jackie said...

Oh, I can't wait to hear the rest! Congrats again.

Rebecca said...

You're too funny...can't go that long without snuggling! You're sooo in love! Leaving us in suspense isn't nice though ;)

AllieQB said...

Can't wait for part II and yes, keep the pictures coming!

Leslie said...

I LOVE birth stories! I'm anxious to hear how it ALL went! (obviously I know how it turned out haha) Glad to hear your enjoying Lucy! Take lots of pictures in one yr it will be hard to remember her being that little! (although I'm sure she didn't seem "litte" coming out)

Emily said...

You have been a little slack with the blogging lately. But you are completely forgiven because those first few weeks when babies are so precious and snuggly you should just snuggle with them.

Sometimes you're bursting into tears from uncontrollable hormones -not that I'd know, or anything- but mostly you just want to hold that baby close!

ck2m said...

Glad you two are enjoying Lucy so much and have the time together to just bond.

Carrie Willis said...

I want to see Lucy...and you! :) I know you're busy, but call an old friend and talk for a few minutes, k? At least long enough to decide when we'll have you guys over for some Poppyseed Chicken. Miss you! Talk to you soon, I hope! :)

Anonymous said...

LOL, DH timed my contractions with his phone too! Those first weeks are great when you can just stare at them all day and not worry about anything else. No cleaning or anything, you're recovering! Savor every moment!

Anonymous said...

awwww, congratulations on your baby girl! Waiting impatiently for part II! :)

The Mama said...

I was just blog hopping, and I found your wonderful blog. Congrats on your little Lucy! I can't wait to hear more about your birth story and see more pictures of your pretty girl! Feel free to stop by my blog in all of your free time! Haha. Enjoy every moment with your little one!

Jennifer said...

What a cliff hanger!! Thanks for sharing -- can't wait to read more!

Anonymous said...

She's a cutie!

Anxiously awaiting more pictures of Miss Lucy!

I'm ready to hear part II!!

Congrats :-)

Anonymous said...

yay lucy! can't wait for Part two!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the birth of Lucy. She is beautiful. I am an adoptive mom who started a non profit Parenthood for Me. Our mission is to provide financial and emotional support to those starting families through adoption or medical intervention. Please visit my website and blog:
www.parenthoodforme.org
parenthoodforme.blogspot.com

Sincerely,
Erica Schlaefer

Mrs. Dirnberger said...

I am soooo ready for part 2 and 3!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! Can't wait to hear part 2! I hope that you are enjoying motherhood!

Yanicka said...

Wow , 3 weeks. Time goes so fast with our little one. Enjoy each and every moments because it really goes so fast!!!

Heather said...

I love reading about other womens birth stories!! They are all so different. I was also in labor for 30 hours...so was the woman next to me in the hospital during my second stay (I had a complication and had to go back and stay another three days away from my newborn daughter...it was torture!). My water broke in the middle of the night and I was lucky to have a doctor who was allowing me to wait as long as possible in hopes of having a natural delivery but it wasn't meant to be. At a certain point there was no delaying (possible infection when the water is broken for that long) so I had to have a c-section. I can't wait to read the rest of your 3 parts!

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