Addie is Growing & Labor

Unfortunately, babies grow. They grow too fast. I wish it took 4 years for them to turn 2. As I look at Addie in my arms, my heart breaks a little everyday that she gets older. They are never babies or toddlers or 4-year-olds again. I wish I had more time to sit and hold Addie and to just stare at her. But that kind of thing hasn't happened since Parker was born and Staucie was only 16 months old. It was so fun to have one little baby and all I did was watch her and play with her. I hardly got dressed some days. I am glad I took the time to enjoy her. I have enjoyed each new baby, but they all keep me so busy that there isn't much time for staring at babies, and then they turn 2.
So, Daniel told his side of how the labor went and I just wanted to elaborate on a few things. I opted once again to get induced because, well, I could have the baby a week early and at the end of the pregnancy each day was like a week! My mom flew in Monday night and then on Tuesday morning we headed for the hospital. Like always, it took a long time for my labor to kick in. My nurse kept saying that since this is probably my last baby I should go out with a "bang" and just get an epidural. I still didn't want one. I think I am more afraid of the epidural than the labor pains.

Finally, my contractions were consistent and getting stronger. I was making Daniel rub my back during the contractions. (After I had the baby my back was pretty bruised where he had rubbed, but it didn't hurt during labor. Ha ha.) I decided it was time for a dose of drugs through my IV and so the nurse had to check me first and I was already at a 6. If I knew I was that far along I would have asked for it sooner. I can't have it once I am at a 7, but I could have gotten it every hour before that. They were afraid I would get to a 7 soon so I only got half a dose, but boy was it FANTASTIC. I was floating in the clouds and giggly. But it only lasted for 45 minutes and then that was it. Sometimes I think I might want to have another baby just to get a dose of that drug again. Good thing I don't do drugs or I would be a drug addict for sure!

When the labor started getting really hard I felt my hands, feet, and face going numb so I told Daniel I needed oxygen now. I always need it at the end. Anyways, it took forever for them to get it. Meanwhile, I laid there thinking I was going to die soon. They finally got it to me and then my teeth wouldn't stop chattering. Daniel and the nurse kept asking me if I was cold. I couldn't talk and was getting annoyed. I just needed to relax and breath! I definitely was not cold.

After a little while I told them that I was feeling the baby move down. They would check me and say that I was still at a 7. I was starting to get pretty loud during my contractions and was thinking that I was going to die before this baby came out. I wasn't really able to talk anymore. The labor seemed to be worse then ever before and I really thought I might die.

I think at this point I might have been screaming. The nurse finally said that I was at a nine and my doctor walked in at the time. I think I was screaming and they were telling me to breath. I was just thinking, "GET THIS KID OUT OR I AM GOING TO DIE!" They were all calm and Daniel was embarrassed that I was screaming. Then my doctor said I was only at an 8. She seemed really put out and asked for a stool. Meanwhile, I was really thinking that I was going to die.

But, after like 2 more contractions I think the baby was starting to come out. I wasn't sure what was going on. I was just screaming during each contraction. I wanted to ask if the baby was coming or what, but I was in too much pain to talk. They weren't telling me anything. I think they were telling me to push while I screamed. Finally, they said the head was half way out and I felt relieved that this kid was actually going to come out. I felt like my body was ripping apart so I continued to scream.

It really didn't take long and then she was out and on my stomach. She was perfect and I was SOOOOOO glad it was over and that I was alive. Daniel said that the woman in labor next door was probably having her first baby and was now probably scared to death from my screaming. Ha.

I really wanted a drink after that because my throat really hurt. Probably from all the screaming. I didn't really know that I was screaming as loud as I could until Daniel kept mentioning it.

Although I am really looking forward to never doing that again, she was most definitely worth it. Daniel just wished that I would get an epidural... Maybe next time. Ha. I did say, after Bensen was born, that I was getting an epidural next time. Oh well. Although, the end was awful, I am glad I didn't get one.

My recovery has been great. The hardest part was how much my body hurt because of the pregnancy. I am pretty sure that is why the end of my labor hurt so much more. My muscles already felt like they had been ripped apart before got to the hospital. Addie was worth it and we are so happy to have her in our home.

Staucie is hot and sweaty from playing outside.

Addie is already past the stage where she just eats, sleeps, and poops. She now screams more and stays awake a little more often, which means she needs more attention. All I want to do is sit and hold her, but even with my mom here we are busy with all the kids all day long. When my mom leaves there will be lots of crying, maybe mostly from me :)