Chloe has arrived!

Wednesday, September 21st, was pretty much a typical end-of-pregnancy day for me. I had my 39 week appointment that morning and asked my doctor if I seemed big. She measured the big ol' belly and proclaimed that I was completely average. I guess I just felt big. I had been struggling with sciatica and had a hard time moving at all. My stairs seemed to tease me every time I tempted to climb them. I was tired (thanks anemia!) and felt huge. But no, I was measuring just right at four days to due date.

The rest of that day, I felt a little off. I had no appetite for much of anything. I turned in a little earlier than usual at about 8:30 and I think I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow. I was wiped. The sleep didn't last long. I woke at 10:30 with some crampy feelings. I knew these feelings but tried to shun them as early labor cramps DO NOT begin at 10:30 for me. They are an early morning occurence so this couldn't be the real deal. I got up to use the bathroom and went back to bed thinking that these "practice" contractions would soon subside and I needed all the sleep I could get considering I would be having a baby in a week or so.

The cramps didn't subside. They just got a little closer and a little more intense. Finally, at about 11:30 I woke Jon out of his sleep. I didn't want to alarm him, but I tried to gently and quietly let him know, "I think it's time".

He bolted out of bed and scrambled to get things together. He wanted to pack my bag. Told him I did that weeks ago. He packed bags for the boys. Called Gayle. Made plans with her to care for the boys. Meanwhile, I took a shower to prepare for the long night ahead of me/us. The contractions were getting more and more painful and closer and closer together. Hmm...I hadn't planned on this. But I was sure this baby would not be arriving before the sun would be rising.

We were ready to go and I asked Jon what the doctor said. Uh oh! We forgot to even call the doctor! He had no idea we'd be coming to the hospital at this absurd hour! He called. Doctor asked how I was. Jon said in labor and it's baby #3. Doctor said come in right away. Okay. Boys loaded into car? Check. Laboring wife loaded into car? Check.

We zoomed to the next neighborhood where the boys were staying for the remainder of the night with our dear friends. It was a painful ride for me. Sitting and laying down while laboring are THE most unnatural positions. It makes a very painful/uncomfortable situation so much more so. We then zoomed to the hospital once the boys were in the house. Only ran one red light as far as I can recall.

It took me a couple minutes to get out of the car since my contractions were one right on top of another. I was trying to walk between them. Time was about 1:00. We arrived to the Labor and Delivery room where I met my nurses and signed some papers between contractions. I was dreading this labor experience since this hospital was where I had Tucker and the nurses and staff didn't seem especially thrilled with a non-medicated, naturally laboring mama. I'm not sure if they were scared of me or what! In any case, my experience this time around was soo much better. My nurses were incredibly encouraging and supportive. My husband was, of course, awesome throughout and fed me ice chips when I asked and followed my every order, no matter how ridiculous.

When I was all set up in my room, the nurses did their thing. They checked to see how far along my labor had progressed and reported that I was measuring at about 2-3 cm. Whaaaa??? I had been walking around for weeks at 1/1.5. You had to be kidding me. This was very discouraging for me to hear. They monitored the baby's heartbeat and my contractions and let me labor however I wanted all the while. Awesome.

Not too long after that, I measured at about 4-5 cm. Okay. Making progress. In all reality, I hadn't been at the hospital all that long. Things just felt like they were moving quickly because I felt so much PAIN! Checked again per my request: 6-7. Transition would be coming soon. I just knew that I hadn't even experienced the worst of it and I figured I couldn't do this any more. I wanted the drugs. And THEN. (Okay, tmi alert) I peed on the floor and I announced it for all to hear. One sweet nurse said that my water probably just broke. I said, "Nope. I know what that's like and this ain't no bag of water. This is straight up pee. Sorry you have to clean it." And THEN. I told them I had to push which was met with a flurry of activity. Apparently when a woman in the throws of labor says she has to push and looks like she means it, they take you seriously. And then GUSH. My water broke. Yup, definitely my water this time.

The nurse urged me to try my best to lay on the bed so she could check me. One look and she could see that this baby was not going to wait for anything. The doctor rushed into the room and helped (I use that word generously--I don't really think he did much in the grand scheme of things!) ease this little baby into the world.

Our baby was born at 2:46 am on September 22, 2011. My first words, "Is it really a girl?" And yes, she is a perfect little girl with the most awesome round cheeks you've ever seen.

One nurse exclaimed, "Wow, this is at least an 8 pounder!" And yes, she was AT LEAST an 8 pounder. When they put her on the scale, the nurse read, "Nine pounds and"

I thought, "there's an AND???"

"Nine pounds and .8 ounces, 21 inches."

Our baby girl, Chloe Irene Joy, is our "blooming peace and joy". Our 2011 was filled with some of the toughest stuff we've ever had to deal with. Last year at this time, I honestly thought that our family of four was complete. God had other plans for us. He blessed us with a daughter who will be our constant reminder of his presence in our lives. When we reflect on our 2011, we will remember heartbreak, confusion, and grief but we will also remember the baby girl who stole our hearts and helped us through.

This verse hangs on the wall above her crib:
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12