Being pregnant this time around was a lot harder than the first time! I'm not sure if it was the hot weather, or taking care of another child at the same time, or a combination of both, but around 34 weeks along I was more than ready to be done with pregnancy (for a very, very long time)!
Our doctor gave us the option of being induced whenever we wanted after 39 weeks, provided that I was progressing well and things were looking good. At first I was completely against the idea, figuring that she would be born when she was good and ready. However, the time started getting closer and closer... and I was feeling more and more miserable. I know, those aren't good enough reasons to induce early (not in my opinion, anyway), BUT... Garrett's week long "summer vacation" fell a week BEFORE I was due. After a lot of thought, we decided to induce at 39 weeks exactly - right in the middle of Garrett's time off. I really wanted him to be able to spend time with us without feeling guilty for missing school (assuming he would have even been able to take the time off).
We went to the hospital at 6:30 on July 1 and I was checked in and in a bed by 7. They gave me some Pitocin, and I started feeling some contractions around 8:45 or so. Got an epidural - Garrett wasn't allowed to be in the room for that - it's a new hospital rule that husbands can't be present for that (there was a lawsuit in CA a few years ago because a husband fainted during an epidural and hit his head on the floor and died.... sad I know, but come on - the epidural isn't nearly as bad as an actual BIRTH! Must be the needle or something). Anyway, the anesthesiologist told Garrett that he could stay if he wanted to if he promised not to faint, since he IS a medical student after all, but Garrett opted to go get some breakfast instead. We didn't want to break any rules, either.
Having the epidural was GREAT - we spent the morning just hanging out and chatting with our nurse and watching Wimbledon. Around 12:45 they told me it was time to start pushing (wow - I had no idea!) but we couldn't find the doctor anywhere! Finally he showed up (he had been in a surgery) and at 1 pm I started pushing. Two pushes later she was born! I thought Abby's birth was easy, but this topped it by far. The whole experience was so enjoyable and pain-free - it was awesome! I know a lot of people think that the whole epidural-route is cheating, but really... would you ever go to the dentist and get a filling without the medication they give you? Not if you don't have to!
We spent 2 days in the hospital. It got pretty boring after a while but Garrett stayed there with me, so it was really nice to spend that time together. Garrett's mom was in town staying with Abby, which was so much fun for her.
So that's Ellie's story. Now she's 3.5 weeks old and doing great! She's finally eating well, and Abby just loves her little sister. It feels strange (and overwhelming) to have 2 kids, but it also feels more and more like we're a family, which I love.
I can't believe I've been lucky (and blessed) enough to have been married to this guy for FIVE years now. I think we'd both agree that it hasn't always been blissful, but marrying him has definitely been one of the best decisions I've ever made.
