Sunday, October 3, 2010

40 Weeks...

Little Pumpkin!

On Saturday October 2nd, 2010 I woke up around 2:00am with some tougher contractions. They were still not extremely painful but they were definitely getting more regular. So I laid in bed and timed them for about 45 minutes & they were 5 minutes apart. When we took our birthing class they told us to call the doctor if our contractions were 5 minutes apart for an hour or more. So I woke your daddy up & told him what was going on & that I was going to get in the shower. I wanted to make sure that I had shaved my legs & washed my hair just in case this was it! Your dad laughed at me but that's okay I wanted to make sure I ready. By the time I had got out of the shower & gotten ready my contractions had been 5 minutes apart for almost 2 hours so I called the doctor. They told me that they did not sound strong enough but to come in and get checked out. We were SO excited, this could be it!!

We arrived at the hospital around 4:00am & they took us up to the labor section of the hospital. They checked me out & I was only 1 1/2 centimeters & 60% effaced. The nurse was so sweet but they were not able to keep us since I was not far enough along. They gave me a sleeping pill to take when I got home to hopefully get some rest, it lasted for like 2 hours. When I got up my contractions were a little bit stronger but still 6-4 minutes apart. Your daddy & I went on a walk & that increased the contractions. I came home & tried to take a nap but I was too uncomfortable so we kind of just laid around. Around 1:00pm my contractions started to space out more so we thought they were going away. We got up & went on another walk & that helped speed them back up. By the time we got back home they were 4 minutes apart & much more painful. I have to admit that I was not really sure what exactly I was waiting for the pain to feel like. I was in a lot of pain & your dad was doing everything he could to make me more comfortable. We called the doctor again & they said to come back in since my contractions were closer & more painful. I was so afraid that we would get there & they would send us home. I was extremely exhausted & nauseous so I was not sure how I would handle having to go back home.

So we arrived at the hospital 12 hours after we had been sent home that morning & went back to labor & delivery for them to check me again. The nurse was so great she could see that I was in pain & was extremely kind to me. She examined me & said I was now 2 centimeters & 75% effaced. I was devastated that I had labored for 12 hours & had little change. The nurse really wanted to make sure they could admit me since I was extremely dehydrated & was throwing up. She suggested that we walk the halls of the hospital for an hour & hopefully that would make enough change that they could admit me. So that is what we did & could barely walk for 2 minutes before I was leaning against the wall having a contraction. You know you are in pain when you are pressing your cheek against the dirty hospital wall for the coldness. After an hour the nurse reexamined me & I was almost 3 centimeters & 100% effaced. She said she would call the doctor to see if they would be able to admit me. We could hear her on the phone pleading me case & thankfully the doctor said yes. I was officially admitted!!

Once I was admitted they moved me to my labor suite & ordered my epidural. My mother arrived shortly after we were admitted so that was a great support. Your dad was doing such a fantastic job talking me thru my contraction & encouraging me how strong I was. I was extremely thankful to have both of them there to love on me. The anesthesiologist arrived about an hour after we were admitted & administered my epidural. The worst part of the epidural was the numbing shot. After he was done I felt no more pain! Your grandma would say "Wow you are having a big contraction can you feel that?" Nope! It was amazing! The doctor came in & broke my water when I was at 5 centimeters & then I slept. I did not wake up until I was almost 9 centimeters. They told us at that point that we would probably be pushing in the next few hours. Sure enough I was completely dilated & feeling the pressure to push a little over an hour later.

The nurse came in & explained to me how to push properly & got me all ready. It was like Christmas Eve...we could not wait!! I still was not feeling anything other then the sensation to push. During my next contraction they had me push for 10 seconds 3 times in a row. Then I waited until the next contraction & did the same thing. We could see the top of your head after the first contraction & they told me that you had hair on your head, I could not believe it! Pushing was tiring but not as painful as I thought it was going to be, thanks to the epidural. I pushed for about 35 minutes & 6 contractions & then between contractions the doctor was keeping you from shrinking back in & you just popped out! I could not believe it! I was not even pushing & there you were!

Of course I started crying the second & heard you cry. They immediately brought you and placed you on my chest. Your daddy was right there looking at his girls in amazement, he was crying too. After you were there for a minute they took you back so your daddy could cut your umbilical cord. He said it was tougher then he thought it was going to be, it took a few cuts. Then while I birthed the placenta & was repaired they took you over to examine you. When you stared crying your dad stared talking to you & you stopped crying & looked right at him. I wish I could have seen this happen, I could just hear him loving on his new little girl. They cleaned you up & then your daddy brought you back over so that we could both see you. I was in awe, I could not believe you were here in our arms. You are definitely your mothers daughter, you arrived on your due date, punctual little one.

We then spent the next hour just the 3 of us bonding. I cannot begin to describe to you how amazing it was to look at you. I could not sleep I just wanted to stare at you & truly could not believe you are ours. We thanked God over & over for our perfect little girl & for his love for us. We feel so blessed that he has entrusted you to our care, it gives us a new perspective on His fatherly love. I was able to nurse you & you did fantastic. Both sets of grandparents were there to meet you right away. Family & friends came to visit you the next 2 days we were in the hospital. Our next 2 days in the hospital were wonderful, we did not have one complaint. All of the nurses were fantastic & extremely helpful. We were sad to leave them to so excited to bring our little girl home.

Hallee Jane Brook born October 3rd, 2010 7lbs 5oz 20 inches long, you were perfect!

I'm here!
Our first moment together
You LOVE daddy's voice
Crazy Cone Head
Proud Papa! (Yes those are tears)
Priceless
Our alert little girl
His little girl

4 comments:

  1. Such a sweet little girl...congratulations to the Brook family! :)

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  2. You'd think after I have seen these pictures soo many times I wouldn't cry each time I look at them...but I do! I love you guys so much and Hallee is absolutely gorgeous!

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  3. :) I am so glad you took the time to write this all out. What memories! So happy for you & Mike. Hallee has some amazing parents ! Proud of you, Kris...

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  4. you had me tearing while reading this!! so sweet!! glad all three of you are doing well!! can't wait to meet your lil bundle of joy!! much <3

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