Around 3:00 am Sunday, September 7th our baby girl (who had not been named at this time) decided that it was time to wake me up for more then our 10th bathroom break of the evening. I wasn't exactly sure what was happening since I hadn't had any contractions yet so I grabbed my pregnancy bible, What To Expect When You're Expecting, and started to look up my symptoms when Todd came home from work. I let him know that I was pretty sure I was in the early stages of labor. I knew it could be hours and I wanted to stay at home as long as possible so I decided to try to sleep. I curled up on the couch and a short while later I started to have contractions. Around 9:00 am I got up and let Todd know that we were going to have our baby girl today. That moment of realization was one that I will never forget.
My contractions were getting closer but not close enough to make any calls. As noon quickly approached my contractions became pretty far apart. Todd and I decided it was going to be a while and headed out to breakfast at Good Earth, my favorite restaurant and one that Todd endures because I'm carrying his baby girl! :o)
Around 4:00 pm the contractions were very random so I decided to give our doctor a call. After describing all my symptoms he had us head into the hospital to get checked out. At that time my phone decided to stop working. I have a few choice words for Sprint that I will leave out. I was not going to the hospital without my phone working so as we headed to the Sprint store it magically turned on and we quickly changed lanes and headed to the hospital.
After getting checked in we learned that I was only 3 cm dilated. I was so disappointed. I was hoping for at least 7! Time flew by after that and soon we were in our room and it was nearing 8:00 pm. I had called one of my best friends Stephanie who showed up just in time to see me have the worst and last contraction before the epidural. Todd took the opportunity to run to the car and get our bags. Soon after he left our baby girls heartbeat dropped to a dangerous pace. I heard the nurse put in some code that alerted about 10 nurses to my room. I had to be put on oxygen while they rolled me over and gave me a drug to stop my contractions in order to get the babies heartbeat back to normal. Poor Todd walked in to this spectacle and had no idea what was going on. I, of course, was in hysterics and could hardly breathe.
Things calmed down and we learned that my contractions were so intense and lasting so long that even the healthiest of babies would not do well. At this time we received a call from our doctor explaining that it would be best to perform a c-section in case this were to happen again. Todd and I talked and agreed that it was the best option. I was wheeled in and prepped for surgery minutes later. It was around 8:30 pm at this time. They doctors turned on the music and Todd held my hand as we waited. I couldn't tell you what we were even talking about when all of a sudden we heard the first cries of our little girl. The tears started flowing! I was obviously unable to move so I couldn't see her for what seemed like forever. Todd was over watching and taking pictures as they cleaned her up. Then they had him cut the umbilical cord.
After she was cleaned and bundled he brought her over and we just stared at our little red headed princess!! She was perfect!! I unfortunately had to be taken to recovery so Todd went with her to the nursery. As they wheeled her out my girlfriends Stephanie and Candy ran over, almost knocking people over so I'm told, to get the first peak at the princess.
Recovery was long but I was soon wheeled into my room and around 2:00 am Taylor tried to have her first little meal. Being the amazing baby that she is, she took right away and was able to have a small snack!
The next five days in the hospital are some that I would like to forget. I struggled to even move and was basically helpless without Todd. So Todd had a crash course in fatherhood and was changing diapers in no time! I think it was at this time that the switch flipped and he became a light sleeper! A baby girl will do that to you I think!
The first night Taylor was home was long, very, very long! Apparently I didn't read the section of what NOT to eat while breast feeding and had consumed chocolate and almonds all that day. Which unfortunately lead to four long hours of Taylor crying with a belly ache until around 4:00 am. Since then we have only had a few nights like that, thank goodness!!
Every day with her is amazing! She is already gaining weight and her little cheeks are filling out nicely. Her hair is getting even more red too! Enjoy the pictures of Taylor's Birthday!
