So two Fridays ago, my labor started. . . Throughout this pregnancy I’ve been thinking that I was going to keep things simple this time. We had so much stuff with the first three girls, in part because we had lots of wonderful neighbors who only had one or two children and offered us their hand-me-downs (which we were entirely grateful for) and not knowing what a baby really needed, we had all the basics and then some. And, as first time parents, we pretty much packed the nursery every time we left the house. That was just too much. Furthermore, we didn’t really spend all that much on “new” things for the babies. Our crib was given to us; I got the stroller and car seat at a garage sale, etc. It’s hard to justify spending a lot of money on new things for baby #4 when we didn’t do it for the first three. (Of course I got rid of everything- we were done at three, and IF we had more, they were going to be boys.) Anyhow I figured this baby didn’t need a whole dresser full of clothes and all the other “basic necessities” to fill up the nursery. . . By the time my contractions started getting harder and more consistent, I started timing them and they were about three minutes apart. As excited as I was to have this baby early, at this point I started freaking out as I realized I’ve kept things a little too simple. I thought desperately, ”I don’t have any onesies; I don’t have diapers; I don’t have a car seat!!” There are some necessities that you can’t live without. So without further thought, I popped one of the little yellow pills that the doctor had given me to stop labor in the event that it started before it was time. A couple hours later, my contractions stopped.
The next Monday, Boston and I went to Babies ‘R’ Us and bought the real basics- diapers, wipes, onesies, an outfit to bring her home from the hospital in, a couple nursing bras, some salve, and chocolate for the nurses. We also registered for lots of fun stuff (with no expectations- but it’s fun to shop when you’re spending someone else’s money). When I got home, I felt so much better and dared my contractions to start again with no avail.
Then, last Friday (a week later) the contractions started again. They came on rather quickly and were strong from the start. My doctor had told me that her head was way down and by the “look” of things, when my labor started, it was going to go pretty fast. So I called Ryan and let him know that I was in labor- again. He rushed home as I ran around packing all the “basics” together to take to the hospital. Meanwhile, we’d called our friends and they said they’d stay with kids for the night. By the time Ryan got home, I was starting to hurt. We got everything out the car, then took off. We checked in and went to triage. We waited for a long time before I was finally given a gown. Then we waited even longer for the nurse to check things out. I was surprised to learn that I wasn’t dilated any more than I had been the week before. . . Long story short, after a couple hours of walking the halls, climbing stairs, and looping around the nursery, although my contractions were still a steady 2 1/2 to 3 minutes apart, I wasn’t progressing any further. So about 4:00 AM, they finally sent me home. I was disappointed and embarrassed. That doesn’t happen to me, especially with baby #4. I’m supposed to be a seasoned veteran at this whole labor and delivery stuff. I fully expected to go to the hospital and have a baby a couple hours later. We snuck into our beds and slept until 9:00 the next morning. Our friends were surprised not only to see me home, but still pregnant at that. I retold the story, and after breakfast, they went home. Meanwhile, my mom was on her way to the airport to come help with the new baby. . . It’s been fun to have her here.
Saturday my contractions came and went, but to no avail. I was so disappointed to say the least. We picked my mom up from the airport and the girls have been loving the extra attention. Monday I went to the doctor again. Over the weekend things had eventually progressed a little more and I’m now at a 3. She stripped my membranes and sent me home. My contractions started that evening around 6:00 and I walked around the house for several hours as they got closer and stronger, but they died down again around 11:00. Hmmmmm. . . I guess it’s time to just be patient- it’s so hard. I’m ready for this baby to be here, especially since my mom is now here. It’s been great because the kids are out of school for fall break and she is a ton of help, but I feel guilty. . .
I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, send me your get-out-baby-vibes. . .
I forgot just how little sleep parents with newborns get. . . However, life is good. The girls are so enamored with their new baby sister. Mercedez is the perfect big sister. She loves to hold and rock Willow and Willow loves to be held and rocked, so they are a perfect match. Hunter is so stoked that Willow has dark hair (though she seems to be a combination of all three girls facial features wise, she does have Hunter’s hair, that was big time important!!) She squeaks a lot and we can’t get enough of her. We’re all in love!!