The Birth of Lucy!

We went to the hospital to get induced at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night. The object was to give me Cervidil which was supposed to get me ready for labor, but not put me into labor. However, since it was my third baby and I was already 3 cm. dilated there was a good chance it would put me into labor... and into labor I did go! They gave me Cervidil at 8:30 and 10:15 they gave me something to help me sleep. I was so confused because at that point I was having pretty strong contractions and telling them that I didn't think I'd be able to sleep. They said to give it a try and if I really was in labor this wouldn't stop anything, but it might be just enough to relax my body and help me sleep a little. Well... I didn't sleep. The contractions got stronger and closer together and I was begging for the midwife to check me and for the epidural by 11:30. When she finally got there and checked me at 12:15 I was only 5-6 cm... I was totally depressed... it had hurt so bad and I hadn't even gotten that far yet! They took out the Cervidil, gave me the epidural, but it was the worst one I've had. There was a "hot spot" where I could still feel everything, but it did bring the pain down to a more bearable level. Because I had the epidural and the Ambian, I dosed from 1-1:30 only to wake up saying, "Why can I feel these contractions??" They came and checked me and it was time to push! I went from 5-10 cm. in an hour... so glad I had the epidural to get me through that!! The lousy epidural ended up helping in the end because I could feel when each contraction was coming, but instead of the intense pain it was just intense pressure. The midwife did an awesome job telling me when and how hard to push. I felt like I had more control then I did the other two times. What a relief to finally push her out and then I reached down and "caught" her under her arms and pulled her right up to me! She didn't cry at all right away, just looked around peacefully. Jake cut the cord and I was relieved to hear I wouldn't need any stitches... major answer to prayer! Then they cleaned her up and weighed measured her. Her stats were 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 20 in. Our smallest baby yet! She nursed right away and then they took her to do all the stuff they needed to do and boy, did that Ambian kick in then... I was asleep before everyone left the room!

Our first visitors were Jeff, Angie, and Sophie... but they wouldn't let Sophie back to see her cousin!! Only siblings under the age of 12 are allowed back, everyone else... including nursing infants... have to wait in the waiting room! So sad... and I missed getting a picture of Angie and Lucy together :(

Miss Britany came with Amy. Andy still hasn't met her b/c he has been working till 11 p.m. opening pools every night and now he is away at Next. He won't get to meet her till this Sunday!!

The girls were so adorable coming to see her! My mom had them in matches dresses she got them for the occasion and they couldn't have been more precious!

We brought her home Saturday afternoon and we had to hook her up to a "Biliblanket" because her biliruben is still high. She has to lay on top of this light thingy as much as possible. She looks like a little glow worm!

Aunt Amy and Uncle Andrew came for a visit Saturday night! Can't wait to meet the little cousin growing in her belly!

Memom brought the girls home after church on Sunday and Lucy was so happy to greet them! She had bought her big sisters presents that were in her room... she couldn't wait to show them!

Aubrey tried to share everything in her bag with Lucy... it was so cute!

Kenzie was very excited about the candy!

Aubrey gathered all the stuffed animals to give to Lucy... she has a very nurturing heart towards her little sister!

Kenzie really loves Lucy. She asks to hold her all the time and yesterday she wanted to read to her!

Jamie, Alan, and Liv came over on Sunday afternoon to meet her. I wanted Liv to hold her since she is going to be a big sister in October, and she liked the idea until it actually happened, then I think she got a little freaked out! She was so cute with Lucy though... she is going to be a great big sister and such a helper to Jamie!

Memom, Poppop, and Deedaa came for another visit Sunday night... they can't get enough of Little Lucy!

This is my favorite part of Lucy's room. I love the shelf that our neighbors gave us and hanging on it is my grandmother's dress that she wore as a baby and then an adorable onesie from Katie with a picture of Lucy for Charlie Brown on it!

Her big sisters insist that Lucy has to "go to bed" before they do every night since she is the littlest... little do they know that Lucy keeps up her partyin' all night long!

Great picture of Kenzie and Lucy I got this morning!! She is always asking if she can hold her!

And Jake had a great time this morning playing legos with his girls. He built a castle that he is very proud of... he jokingly asked if he could put it on his dresser, but I kinda think he was serious :)

I just want to take a minute to honor my husband. Words fail to express the love I have for this man! With every pregnancy and new baby I am overwhelmed by his selfless love for me. From rubbing my swollen pregnant feet to changing the new baby in the middle of the night, he gives of himself without complaint. He is always looking to proactively serve me. He brings me water (with a straw!) every time I nurse without me even asking him too. He is keeping the house clean because he knows how much a messy house bugs me. He is going beyond just the picking up the toys to actually doing laundry and putting away the dishes. And he is making me feel so beautiful. Here I am, mother of three, recovering and nursing and feeling totally disgusting, and he keeps kissing me and telling me how beautiful I am. I can't believe how amazing he is and that I get to spend the rest of my life with him! God has given me so much more than I could ask or imagine!