Happy Birthday Aimee

I don't know that I ever posted about Aimee's birthday. Her actual birth - day. And my experience with the whole thing. I went back and scanned a few of my earliest posts, and as far as I can tell - I didn't mention it. With #2 quickly approaching, I'm afraid that I will eventually mix up birthing stories. (Photo to right - taken just 3 days before going into labor - no make up, puffy face... a bit scary, I know)

So in celebration of 2 years of Aimee, let's reminisce about the day my life changed forever.

It was June 10th 2008 (a Tuesday), just a week shy of my due date. I went to work in the morning, but left early for my doctor appointment. My OB asked if I was having any contractions yet. I told her, not really. And I don't know if I really was or not. Looking back, I did have a lot of discomfort in my lower back where it would get super tight, then relax on it's own. Perhaps I was feeling my contractions more there? Anyway, I was already dilated to a 3 (I think) and like 70% or so effaced. She offered to strip my membranes - which can help your body go into labor. Some people says that it hurts, didn't bother me one bit. Ok, maybe this is too much information, but it's part of the story, so why not?

After my appointment, I walked over to the hospital and turned in all my registration papers, patted myself on the back thinking I was so good to get this done a week early. I went home and had myself a little nap. Greg was home early that day and had gone to Costco. He bought a ton of food! "Fancy" things like brie cheese... some weird meat, lots of fruits and crackers. I remember him making a nice little plate for me. And normally I would gobble that stuff up. But for some reason food just didn't sound good to me. I remember feeling kind of ill that evening.

We went downstairs and were playing Mario Kart on the Wii. At around 6 that evening I realized I was having real contractions. They were getting longer and closer together over the next 2 hours.

I remember getting scared and crying (as pregnant women are prone to do) for a minute. I didn't even have my hospital bag packed! I told Greg, I think this is the real deal and we need to go to the hospital. He gave me a priesthood blessing before we left. It was very comforting and reassuring. Afterwards, I wasn't scared anymore - just excited. On our way out the door Greg called his mom and I called mine.

Mom was convinced I was in real labor because I had to stop talking during my contractions. We piled into the car and made our way! I waddled into the hospital - got all checked in and admitted around 10pm.

I was all for an epidural - which I got around midnight. The anesthesiologist was a really cool guy. He and Greg hit it off. Getting the epidural wasn't bad. The shot they give to numb the area hurt more than the big needle. It was a bit uncomfortable, but not awful. Shortly after, I was able to relax! In retrospect, I wish I had waited a little longer to get the epidural. It did slow my labor down some. But sometimes you just get it when you can get it. That night was a busy night in the hospital. Something like 12 other babies were born. If I waited, I may have missed out!

My night nurse was super nice. Her name was Emily too. Now, they tell you to get some sleep if you can - until you're ready to push. Totally didn't happen. I may have dozed here and there, but they come and check you every hour... so you really don't rest well. Around 5 in the morning my water broke. Very weird sensation... Greg had fallen asleep in the chair next to my bed, I woke him up to let the nurse know what happened. She came in and sure enough, I was "ready" to push.

This next part was no fun. No fun at all. First of all, it's really hard to push when you can't feel what you're doing. Also, I'm not so convinced I was really "ready" to. It ended up taking 2 1/2 hours. That's a fairly long time to push.

At one point, the nurse said Aimee's heart rate was dropping a little, so they gave me some oxygen. It smells/tastes awful. Also, in my birthing class, the inst ructor told us to breathe out when we push, like when you lift weights, you breathe out, right? Makes sense to me. Well, wrong - according to the nurse. She kept telling me to stop breathing out and hold my breath the entire push. At some point doing this I gagged and threw up. That was fun. All I wanted was a small sip of Sprite or something, nope - you get ice chips. Bleh!

Around 7 in the morning my OB came in. She seemed impatient with my pushing progress. I felt a bit annoyed. Don't you think I want this baby out more than you do??? Near 8 in the morning she asked, "Why don't we try the vacuum?" I told her I wanted to try just 10 minutes longer.

On June 11th, at 8:08 am, little miss Aimee Jean made her debut! She was 7 lbs 13oz and 20 1/2 inches long. (My birth weight/height exactly!)

It was the neatest thing. They let me hold her for a minute before doing all the cleaning/pat down. There she was. That was the baby in my belly for the last 9 months. I fell in love instantly. I immediately couldn't think of life without her. I remember Greg and I looking at each other for a minute, not saying anything...

It was one of the sweetest moments in my life.

Oh there's more that followed. I eventually got my Sprite. I didn't want the nurses to take her to the nursery - ever! I loved holding her. I didn't sleep much the next few weeks... this blog testifies of that!

It's hard to imagine she came into our lives 2 years ago. It feels like she's always been there. Some parts are easier now, some parts are harder. I am so grateful that she's part of our family!

I love you Aimee, happy birthday!!