The Big Arrival!

So Friday I had been having contractions (as usual), but they still weren't strong enough for me to pay too much attention to them. Around 11:30pm I sent Matt to the store to buy some "depends". Yep. You read that right. I am pretty much sharing with the world wide web the most humiliating experience EVER. Friday night I started having issues controlling my bladder while having contractions. I have NEVER had that kind of a problem and it really was pretty much the most humbling/embarrassing experience ever. Having to admit to my husband that, yes, I actually would like you to get up and go to the store to buy me some diapers, when he jokingly suggested it, was definetly not the high point of my life of pride. Anyway, while he was gone my contractions got stronger. ALOT stronger. It was just after midnight when I got the first "Oh yeah, that is DEFINETLY labor. I called my mom in at 12:20 to time them for me, because I was in alot of pain. They came ever 2-4 minutes lasting around a minute and were killing me. Imagine matt's suprise when he got back from the store and I was in full blown labor! A little after 2 Matt talked me into going to the hospital (I wanted to wait longer), so we left for the hospital and got to the ER a little after 2:30. All I could think about was getting an epidural! They checked me into OB Triage and called my Dr, I was 5 cm dilated, they were going to put me in a room, get me an epidural (which I was DYING for) and then break my water. I was SO excited that this time I would get an epidural BEFORE my water broke, because I remembered how much more it hurt with Lily once my water broke and I felt like I was already past my pain tolerance level.

So the delivery nurse comes to get me from Triage and MAKES ME WALK to my room, which is through some doors, past a nurses' station and then 3 rooms down. I thought I would die. I was feeling SO much pressure and it really took everything to get to that room, which took forever since I had to stop about every 30 seconds for a contraction. I of course kept asking about my epidural to which she kept responding "it's going to be a while, the resident needs to examine you first and she is busy with a delivery". She kept treating me like a total wuss and was very patronizing. She is not my favorite person in this story. My triage nurse had been SO nice and my Dr had ordered my epi right away, the nurse who had been monitoring my contractions (and knew how intense they were) was very reassuring that I would get that epidural quickly. But not my delivery nurse. When we were in the room I don't remember much at all. I asked to PLEASE get something, ANYTHING for pain if it was going to be a long time before the epidural (which I knew it would be since my nurse wasn't taking me seriosuly), so I got a shot of statol, which just made me incredible tired and dizzy. The nurse was still in the process of getting me checked into my room and asking me background questions, when I felt my water break. I told the nurse, "I am pretty sure my water just broke". "ok", she said and continued to ask me questions without even checking my fluid or even acknowledging that anything happened. As soon as my water broke I felt the sensation to push. But I figured, it just must be the increased pressure from me not having any water and I didn't say anything, because the nurse was already treating me like an idiot. After about 10 minutes, I couldn't take it. My body was involuntarily pushing and it was hurting to try and not push, so I told her, i really feel like I need to push. She then told me that she really didn't want to have to check me, because they don't like to check very often, to which I replied, I REALLY HAVE to push. My dear sweet RN husband took that very seriously and so then she went to check me and what did she see?? A baby's head on its way out. To which she then freaked out. (she was a new grad) And hit the call button calling for "someone, anyone, to get in here NOW" The resident was still in delivering whoever else's baby and my doctor was still at home since it had only been about an hour since he was called and I was at a five. Nothing in the room was set up since I had only been there for about a half an hour, the nurse was literally holding the baby's head keeping it from coming out and she was seriously freaking out. My sweet husband was great in instructing my how best not to push, which by the was is NOT an easy thing to do. I am so glad that he is a great nurse since at this point my nurse was freaking out and of NO help to me. Luckily some family practice Dr's were there, they had delivered someone else's baby and were still in the hallway, so they came in and delivered my baby. They literally didn't even have time to break the bed apart, the Dr had to stand on one side of the bed and lean over. It was CRAZY. I really didn't want to push her out, since it hurt and all, but my husband and the 2 Docs (one of whom I STILL don't know his name!) were SO great. They were really supportive and kind and I pushed that baby out without an epidural--something I NEVER want to do again, but it is good to know that I CAN do it.

Isabel Marie was born at 4:17 am. She weighed 7lbs 2oz, was 19 1/2 inches long and has a full head of dark hair. She is a very sweet and snuggly baby. She doesn't give you any warning when she is about to cry, she just errupts into a loud full scream (full of drama like her sister), but unlike Lily she quiets down immediatly and never cries for long. She is so precious and is a perfect addition to our family. I just feel so blessed to have 2 beautiful and healthy girls with a daddy who loves them and it a great, involved dad and loving husband. My mom was here the first 2 days we were home and it was a great help to have her here, I miss her already. And lily misses her even more!

Lily has been doing remarkably well since we have been home, although there has been more drama since grandma left, I really couldn't ask her to adjust better. She is such a great big sister. Our ward brought meals the first 3 nights, which was SOOO great. We have such a great ward and I am so glad to have such a great support system within the church. The recovery physically has been a thousand times easier than with Lily. I still wouldn't call it a walk in the park, but it is so much better than last time. Isabel seems to have her nights and days mixed up, which is hard, but Matt has let me take a nap during the day, which is the only thing that has kept me going. I am really hoping that my mom will able to come back next week when Matt goes back to work. We initially were told that he would get 2 weeks off, but unfortunetly although Matt's supervisors approved the time (and were game for more) there are some CHW policies that are pretty jacked that we just found out about today and Matt will have to go back to work next week. I am not going to say anything else, just that it sucks, because there is no point in getting into all the irritating details of the complicated and crappy circumstances.

Anyway, in general, things are good. We are exhausted, but extremely blessed and happy. :)

Lily couldn't WAIT to get her out of her car seat!

Holding her sister for the first time!

KISSES!!

She found her thumb at only 3 days old! Here we go again!

My Dr's office sent me these flowers witht he balloon and stuffed animal. It made me very happy!