I want to write about this before I forget the details. Brooklyn's original due date was November 14, 2011. Since I was diagnosed with a fibroid early in my pregnancy I knew we were going to have to have a c-section. So Dr. Lunt had scheduled my c-section for November 8, 2011.
Now because Brooklyn was a surprise blessing, I wasn't completely sure about my dates. The most I could be off was a week, so I was pretty sure she was coming before the 8th.
So it's Halloween night, I had told myself that this was the year I wasn't going to walk with the kids because I was huge and I was for sure I wouldn't be able to. I was also worried that I would get winded right away and be such a party pooper. This made me sad because I love going with the kids every year. Then one day Paola told me that I should really try to walk with the kids, she said that she thought that if I walked it would help me go into labor. It has worked for her in the past. So I decided to go.
I am so glad I did. I am so happy that I didn't miss on these cute kids, and it was Penelope's first Halloween with us. As I walked my tummy kept getting really tight but no pain. I had the normal pains by my ribs and the bottom of my back but that was it. Everyone kept checking on me and asking me if I was in labor yet.
So Halloween night (Monday)came and gone and I still hadn't gone into labor. But the next day (Tuesday) I noticed a lot of mucus. I remember learning this could be a sign that it was getting closer. It wasn't anything to be concerned about at the time, and I wasn't having any pains. I did have Braxton Hicks every once in awhile but nothing consistent.
Now it's Wednesday morning, and I had just gotten up to watch Ms. Allie for the morning. Everything was normal but I noticed that I was "leaking" a little. I thought I was just having bladder issues and didn't think anything about it. By the time Mandy had picked up Allie and left I noticed that it was happening more often, so I decide to get in the shower because I had my appointment with Dr. Lunt at 1:15pm that day. While I was showering I begin to remember Mandy when she was pregnant with Parker. She had experienced the same type of leakage and decided to go to the doctor. Her water had broke. So after the shower I give Mandy a call just to see what she thinks. She told me that she was pretty sure my water had broke and I should go into labor and delivery right away. I told her I had a doctor's appointment, and she said I could go if I want but they will just send me there as well.
Right then I started to cry. Is it really time? I spent all summer hoping to be done with the pregnancy, and the day finally came but I was freaking out. I was freaking out inside, but trying to act calm. I kept telling Dave and Ashley that I was pretty sure I wasn't in labor and I would be coming home. Dave and I packed our bags and we were off. On my way to the hospital I got a call of support from Paola and Kristin.
Once we got to labor and delivery they had me take a test with similar results of a pregnancy test. After two minutes if the strip showed two lines that means my water did break. While we waited Dave was already texting and "facebooking" that this was the time. I was getting so annoyed with him for jumping the gun when he was really just excited. Then I took a peek over and saw a very faint second line, this was it for sure. The nurses called Dr. Lunt and put me in my own room. It was now about 2:30pm, and Dr. Lunt wanted me in and ready for surgery at 4:00pm. I couldn't believe it was going to be that soon.
While the nurses got me ready with IV's everyone started coming in. We had amazing support. One of the nurses said "well aren't you quite the celebrity". We had Mandy, Ashley, Bubbba, Paola, Aunt Kathy, Vanessa, and then Fernando and his family right after she was born.
Before I knew it it was time to walk to the surgery room. Everyone got up to give me a hug and this is when the tears started coming. It was so many emotions mixed into one. Scared because I'm going into surgery. Happy because I was finally going to have this baby. Blessed to have so many people there to share this with. Overwhelmed knowing that even though my mom and grandma weren't there with me physically I felt them there for this amazing experience. Lastly I felt grateful, so grateful to finally be a mom. I was going to meet my new daughter for the first time.
Once we got to the surgery room Dave had to wait outside while they got me ready. From then on everything felt like an out of body experience. Once I got the epidural things went so fast. Dr. Lunt began and then called them to let Dave in. Dave and the anesthesiologist sat by my head. The anesthesiologist said I might feel nauseous and I did.
Then I felt tugging and pulling and before I knew it, she was out. I was so overwhelmed with emotions. Brooklyn was finally here, she only cried a very little. I remember hearing the doctors say she was a big girl. The doctor assisting Dr. Lunt said "she was done baking". The very first time I saw Brooklyn was when they laid her down on the scale to get her weight. She was beautiful. I remember being so happy to finally see her face. When you are pregnant that is all you think about. What will she look like? She weighed 9 lbs 12 oz. Wow! Paola always told me that we would have a big baby, but I didn't think she would be that big, and when she was born she looked just like her dad. They sent Dave and Brooklyn back to our room before I was finished. She got to meet all her aunts, uncles and cousins right away.
I finally got to go back to my room and see Brooklyn. She was awake the whole time, just looking at everyone holding her. She didn't cry once, not even when they gave her her first bath.
I had Brooklyn on Wednesday and we got to go home on Saturday. The nurses and staff were amazing. It made me stay there so much more than I ever thought it would be. Brooklyn liked to sleep in my bed with me.
I want to thank all my family for everything you did for me while I was in the hospital. I know I say this a lot, but I am truly blessed with an amazing family. They love Brooklyn so much. They did so much for us when we were in the hospital. It makes not having my mom here so much easier knowing we are together.
These were the last pictures I got before I had her. Halloween night with Fernando. He dressed as Mr. Brill. ;)
Look at her face in this picture! ^
Now that she seems to be doing well with the cereal I am trying to keep a night time routine where she has her cereal, we take a bath and get ready for bed. I hope it works.
