My very first blog . . . like ever . . .

So, I decided to start a blog so that I can keep a record of my growing family.  Since, like is always the case with the third child, I have very little time to fill in all of the answers in poor Hailey's baby book (don't feel bad Hailey, Caleb and Shea's aren't done either) and even less time to cut pictures into cute shapes and put them into an album.  I am hoping that blogging proves to be an easier, more streamline way to keep track of milestones, family funnies, and an all around record of the happenings of my family.

I will start this blog with the amazing story of our new addition Hailey, as Caleb and Shea are 8 and 7 and recalling their birth stories would be way too hard : ).  She was a complete surprise, at least to me.  Andy seemed completely unphased by the news and excited about starting again with all of the "baby" stuff.  I, on the other hand, was sick 24/7 for the first 22 weeks - yes, I even woke up in the middle of the night wanting to puke.  I had a fairly normal second trimester.  Was doing good on weight and size and felt like I could do anything.  Then, the third trimester . . . I gained weight quicly, my back started hurting, my hips felt like they would crumble with each step and I could not sleep.  By mid-third trimester, I was measuring big and it turned out that we had extra amniotic fluid.

Trips to the hospital became a twice a week thing so that I could have regular monitoring of fluid levels and stress tests for Hailey.  All was good on that front, but I grew more and more impatient with being pregnant and so close to the end.  I begged the doctor to induce me, and on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at 8:00 a.m., we went in for induction (only three days early).  Labor went really fast for me and by noon, I was transitioning.  Unfortunately, labor was not so good for Hailey.  Several times her heart rate would drop into the 50s and at one point, it took four minutes of moving around to get her heart rate back into the 130s.  That's not all.  After several hours of pushing, the doc came in and said she was OP (occiput posterior, or face up) and was facing up. I decided to keep pushing.  At hour three of pushing, the doctor said we could keep going or have a c-section.  I chose to try pushing for a little longer, but I was exhausted and gave up after only a couple more tries.

As we were getting set for the c-section, I was told it would be about an hour before we could get into the room, Hailey's heart rate dropped again.  This time, we could not get it to go back up, so we went for an emergency c-section.  I was petrified.  I did not want a c-section in the first place, let alone an emergency!  We were in the room and on the table in about 5 minutes and for the first part of it, I was alone.  All I wanted was to have Andy by my side.  Having surgery is scary enough, but doing it while you are awake, well, let's just say was not all that pleasant. It was officially confirmed that she was OP and she was stuck under my pelvic bone - go figure.  To spare all the details, Hailey was born several minutes later, pink and perfect. 



The joy she has brought to our growing family in her 5.5 months of life is extrodinary.  Caleb and Shea love her to pieces and have even stepped up to diaper and feeding duties.  My kids are awesome and my family is wonderful!

Hailey with Mommy and Daddy for the first time.

My first meeting!

Shea-Shea loves me so much she smooshes my cheeks!

Caleb is going to guide me when I get older.  My gentle protector.