Introducing...

Our little girl FINALLY arrived on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 1:46 pm, weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz. and 20.5 inches long. And when I say "finally", I mean FINALLY! I was due on the 20th, and those 4 days I went overdue were the longest of my life!! But she made it and is absolutely perfect in every way.

I was scheduled to be induced on the night of the 25th. I was dreading being induced. Everyone I've talked to who has been induced said it was not that bad or even that they loved it, but for some reason the thought of it was just not sitting well with me! So were absolutely thrilled that she decided to come on her own!

So here is the story... (Its a long one, so be prepared to read A LOT!)

The previous Thursday was my last appointment with Dr. Thackeray. I was dilated to a 2 at that point and was 60% effaced. I had been progressing pretty slowly so far, so he decided to strip my membranes to hopefully get things going. He told me that if stripping my membranes were to do anything, it would happen within a day or two. The next two days came and went...and nothing. I was having a few strong contractions but nothing regular at all. So you could say I was a little disappointed! By the end of my due date, I kind of had a meltdown. I cried and cried to Josh, saying that I was supposed to have a baby by this point! He is a trooper for putting up with me!

Over the weekend I continued to have some strong contractions, still nothing regular. Then on Monday night they started coming HARD. At about 10:30 that night, they were coming every 20-25 minutes. They were painful! I was wishing so bad that I could just go to the hospital at that point, but I knew they weren't close enough so I had to stick it out for a while. Needless to say, that was a LONG night. I was in and out of bed all night. I remember finally being able to fall asleep at one point, but was awoken 10 minutes later by another contraction. That's the only sleep I got. My poor husband only got maybe an hour of sleep.

Finally around 3 am, they started coming every 10 minutes, then every 7, then every 5. I was talking to Josh, saying how I wasn't really sure that I was even in labor and how bad I didn't want to go to the hospital just to be sent home. But he finally convinced me. So we grabbed our bags, packed a few last minute things, and headed out the door.

We arrived at the hospital at about 3:50 am. They took me into triage and starting monitoring contractions. The nurse checked my cervix and I was dilated to a 5! YES! Josh and I basically jumped up and down. The nurse then said "You're having a baby today!" Holy cow...we are having a baby TODAY!

I was moved to my room and got the epidural. That shot in my back was sent from the heavens!! I was finally able to relax!!! Josh and I sort of just hung out for a while. We tried to get some sleep but I think we were both just too excited and anxious!

(On a side note, I keep seeing pictures of women who just had babies, and they look like nothing had even happened to them. Be prepared, labor wasn't as nice to me as it was to them, so my pictures are definitely not so stunning!)

The nurse checked my cervix again around 8:00. I was still dilated to a 5. So Dr. Thackeray came in at 8:30 and broke my water. I cannot tell you how much Josh and I have absolutely loved having him as our doctor!

Two hours later, the nurse came in to check me again. She said, "wow...you're really progressing fast." She continued to check and then finally said, "you're dilated to about a 9." WHAT?! A 9?! Holy cow...that was fast! She then said "We need her head to drop a little farther, but you should be ready to push in about an hour." Josh and I looked at each other, and I know we were both just thinking "This is it!"

Sure enough, I started pushing at about 11:45. Things were going really smoothly....she was making her way down, slowly but surely.

But then after about an hour of pushing, I started to get SO HOT, sweaty, and really nauseated. A few minutes later, I realized I was in a LOT of pain. I kept pushing my epidural button to get some more medicine, and it was not doing a THING. So many people had told me how easy labor and delivery was with an epidural. I just remember thinking, "this should not be this hard." I had cold washcloths on my face and Josh and the nurses were fanning me between pushes. They called the anesthesiologist and he came in and gave me a stronger dose. Still...nothing. At that point, her head was almost out. But it would just not come out! She was stuck. Dr. Thackeray said I could keep trying, but I would probably tear. So if I wanted, he could do an episiotomy. I was just ready for her to be out, so I told him to just do it! Before he did, he tested to see if I could feel anything by poking just a little bit. Sure enough, I could feel everything! My epidural was not doing a dang thing! We later found out that my epidural tube had somehow been pulled out of my back somewhere along the way. Next time, I will be making sure they check that thing every five minutes haha! Anyway, then he had to numb me a few times, and finally he did a small episiotomy. With one push, her head was finally out! I was suddenly so emotional. Partly because I was so excited to have her here, and partly because I was just relieved to have it over with! Josh and I cried together and were just so happy to finally meet our little girl. By that point, I didn't even care that my epidural tube had come out. I completely forgot about how I felt physically. She was here, and she was healthy. That was all that mattered.

Our plan was to record the delivery from above my head. But I needed Josh during those last few pushes, so he stayed by my side instead of recording. Luckily, he was able to record right after she came out and when they put her on my chest. I still get emotional when I watch it!

She is by far the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!! They put her on my chest and she immediately grabbed my hand...

I seriously never knew I could love such a tiny little person so much, and so quickly!! She was a surprise in our lives, but we needed her. More than she needed us. She is our world now, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

The poor thing was pretty swollen since her head was stuck for so long :(

Dr. Thackeray guessed her weight right on...the perfect size!

I love those tiny toes.

Again, we are so thankful for Dr. Thackeray! He was so supportive throughout the entire delivery, and was so patient with me when I'm sure I was freaking out because I was in so much pain. I would recommend him to anyone...he is wonderful and we are excited to have him deliver our future babies.
Do we look tired? Because we were! It had been a long night and long day, but she was totally worth it!

Her hands are always by her head. She refuses to let me swaddle her with her arms by her side. Its okay though, I think its pretty adorable :)

Meeting big sister Maddi for the first time. We are so proud of how good Maddi is with her. She is always so concerned when Stella cries, and always wants to kiss her little head. Sometimes she gets away with it when we aren't looking!We love you Stella babe!! We are so blessed to have you in our family. You bring such joy and light into our home. So glad you're ours!