Life these days

It happens with every pregnancy. The last 4 weeks seem never ending, and yet the first 4 weeks of the newborns life goes by all too quickly. It was no different this time around! I can't believe my little Stella has already hit her 1 month milestone! That curled up, wrinkly, furry baby is quickly slipping away, as I notice her thighs starting to chunk up! I have almost finished mourning the loss of another newborn stage though, as I start to see her smile, interact, and watch her facial features develop. I had little hope for her delivery initiating itself, given my last two inductions, both a week overdue. But when her due date came around, I opted to have my membranes swept by my OB, to see if that would get things moving along. Though I had previously had this done 3 times with Tegan, but to no avail! ha! I went in to my appointment the morning of my due date. I felt cramping for the rest of the day, but didn't think much of it until around supper time, when it seemed more consistent, and I decided to time them. 5 Minutes apart. They seemed to come and go a little, and I remembered how real labor felt, and at this point I could still walk around, and talk with no problems. I got the kids ready and into bed, and sat to watch Game 7 of the NBA finals with Clark. Still feeling the contractions, but nothing really painful. I was adamant that I was not going to be sent home from the hospital, so I went to bed. I figured if it really got bad enough, the contractions would wake me up, and I would know for sure! It was a challenge sleeping, and I woke up several times, though not with any real pain. It still seemed like any contractions I was having weren't all that consistent either. I was finally awakened at 3:45am with a contraction that hurt. I figured I would get out of bed, and walk around to see if it would go away. They didn't, so I began timing them again. 2 Minutes apart. Hmmmm. They started to hurt much more now too. So at just before 4:00am, I woke up Clark and told him I thought it was time. Then the contraction would fade, and I'd change my mind. Then another one, and it was definitely time to go again! I changed my mind a few times, but by the time we were actually leaving, I couldn't physically walk through the contractions. Maybe I had waited a little long. haha. We arrived at the hospital at about 4:20am. After checking in at emergency, we were on our way up to the Labor & Delivery Unit. We hadn't quite made it to the elevator when my water broke. Note to self, don't do that while standing next time. Grossest feeling ever. I finally got to a bed at about 4:25am. I was 4-5cm dilated. After the usual question drill, my blood was taken. I was then told there was a delivery room ready, so we were moved. I walked there, and literally felt like the baby was going to fall out! When I eventually laid down, I was 10cm, and ready to push. So nervous! As if the contractions weren't painful enough, I had no time for an epidural, and was pretty sure I couldn't handle it! Nevertheless, at this point there's no going back right! She was born at 4:58am, June 21st. We named her Stella Maesie. Her middle name is a combination of Clark and my Grandma's middle names. My Grandma's middle name is Maisie, and Clark's Grandma's middle name is Mae. She was 7lbs 6oz, and 20 1/4 inches.

I have to admit, the recovery without the epidural seemed easier. It sure was nice to be able to walk afterwards! Clark went home after I was moved to the Maternity unit. He slept until the kids woke up, then brought them to see their new baby sister. Teegs was a nightmare trying to keep contained though, so they weren't able to stay all that long.

We were home by noon the next day, and I was feeling pretty good. My parents and younger siblings were on their way here, and arrived that evening. They stayed for 4 weeks, so I had plenty of help for the whole first month of Stella's life. It was great. I was sad to see them leave, but Grandma already has another trip planned in a month or so. Stella is a wonderful baby. She looks similar to both of her siblings, though a little more like Cameron I think...and more so when she's asleep. Still unsure about eye color obviously, but as they start to lighten up, they are looking blue, which isn't much of a surprise! She has the tell-tale Platt peach fuzz hair, just like Cameron and Tegan had, so although I don't know for sure yet, I am expecting another blonde curly babe! She is starting to get into a little bit of a routine, and I have had up to 6 hours at night, though it's more like 3 or 4, and gets a little more frequent closer to morning. She would sleep for longer stints right next to me in her earlier weeks, much like her sister, but has now thankfully settled just fine in her own bed! She sleeps very hot though, so she is wrapped in a swaddle wearing nothing but a diaper every night! Sleeping hot might be something we all should start getting used to. Our family is leaving our little city of Lethbridge for the time being, and moving down to California. Clark has made the switch to Vivint Solar, and leaves to head down and start working on Monday. The kids and I will be sticking around here until Stella's passport arrives in about a month. We're sad to see Daddy leave again for that long, but I will be a busy Mommy, so hopefully the time passes quickly!