Happy Birthday!!!

What a week we've had so far. We were supposed to be induced for our pregnancy on Fri. May 4th, but Kodee had other plans.
On Saturday, the 28th, I cleaned most the day because I was still trying to get ready for the induction. I cramped and contracted most the day. I kept complaining I was in pain and Ry proceeded to dress up like me and said, "I'll keep you company!"


J had a guy who got sick so he ended up being at work an extra 4 hours to make-up his work. By the time he finally got home, it was late. He hurried off to bed because he had to get up 5 hours later for inventory. I couldn't sleep, so I stayed up playing games on J's phone. About midnight, I kept getting pains about every 20 min. At first I'd be like, "Man my period is going to start." And then quickly realize, "Duh, I'm pregnant." This went on till about 2am. I was getting so restless, I decided to head to bed. I laid there about 10 min, and the pains only got worse. So I thought maybe if I take a shower I'll feel better...that only made it worse. When I got out, it was 330am and J was about to get up for work. I went and woke him up and said, "Sorry honey. I tried to hold off till your inventory was done, but I think I'm in labor and we need to go to the hospital." He just looked at me like I was kidding. When he realized I wasn't, he hurried around to get things packed. Since we thought we still had 6 days, we had nothing ready to go. While he was doing that, I figured I'd blow dry my hair. I called Kathleen to come over and watch the girls so they wouldn't have to be woken up. We had Rhett come with us because he wanted to be there.
We left for the hospital at 415am. As we were driving, I hadn't gotten a contraction for awhile. I thought, "Oh great! I am going to get there and look paranoid. After waking everyone up, I'll be sent right back home." But just as we got to the hospital, I had a huge contraction. I knew then we were delivering that day.
Since it was only 445am, the front doors weren't open. So we went thru the ER and walked up to Labor and Delivery. It was so quiet, that when we walked up to the nurse's station, we scared them. They asked if we had checked in with ER but I never saw anyone down there. But I needed to get registered, so J went back down to do that while I got checked into my room.
They had me lay down and start an IV and Penicillin. I told them I wanted an epidural and she said she needed to check me first. I was already a 7! My water hadn't broke, which I think is how Kodee stayed in so long. And I'm very grateful because I would not have wanted to deliver at home. I didn't think they would let me have an epi, but 10 min later, the anesthesiologist came in. I was numb and comfy by 520am!


The morning seemed to rush by quickly because Dr. Hall came in at 615am to check me again and I was a 10! He said I could start pushing. Usually, it's an easy thing for me. But I must have been in a weird position, because it hurt so bad to push...like my ribs were digging into my lungs. After 10 min, Dr. Hall said she was stuck. I thought, "Wow! I really don't want to deliver a 12 lb. baby." But thankfully it wasn't because she was big. Because I had labored so fast, she didn't have time to properly come down the birth canal all the way. Dr. Hall grabbed the forceps and vacuum to help her out. Kodee finally arrived at 637am. I was waiting for them to put her on my chest so we could see her, cut her cord, and take some pics. But they whisked her away to the machine....she wasn't breathing. It really scared me. But a few min later, I heard her sweet little cry...music to my ears!


I quickly turned my attention back to Dr. Hall who was trying to stitch me up. I always have an episiotomy, but because she was stuck, I had to be cut even more; which meant more stitches. I just wanted him to be done. My body started to twitch and shake. I felt like I was losing it. Dr. Hall kept assuring me he was almost done. But I just wanted to move and I couldn't. I guess I got Restless Leg Syndrome and it was driving me crazy. I wasn't breathing normal and my blood pressure and pulse dropped dangerously low. They quickly called the anesthesiologist back in and she gave me some Versed in my IV. It knocked me right out. When I came to 15 min later, they had given me oxygen which raised my BP and pulse and Dr. Hall had stitched me up. I looked around as if nothing had happened and everyone just smiled at me. Also while I was out, they had taken Kodee to the nursery to stabilize her breathing and give her a bath.
While we waited to be moved, J called into work to make sure inventory was going smoothly...it wasn't. I told him to go in and work it out or he'd stress about it all day. Besides, Rhett was with me and he was great company. We got into my post-natal room and I finally got to meet my sweet little baby. She was perfect in every way...with lots and lots of hair! J was still at work, so me and Rhett just enjoyed little Kodee...and he had lots of fun playing on J's phone.



J finally made it back to the hospital, rushed in, and quickly took Kodee. He couldn't get enough of her...Daddys and daughters sure have a special bond. She even had her first poopy diaper, and as tradition, J changed it!


J took Rhett and they left to pick up the girls from Kathleen's, eat lunch, and come back later to visit. While they were gone, I thought I was strong enough to get up and walk around. I went to my bag to get my slippers and I fell down...guess my epi hadn't wore off completely. I lay there for a few minutes thinking to myself how dumb I felt and room service just happened to come then. He asked me, "What are you doing? Are you ok?" He quickly put my food down and helped me up. I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon in bed!
I just love hospitals; the smell, the room service, and just having that alone time. But I think, mostly, I love being able to have that quiet time with the new baby. It was so relaxing to just sit and watch Kodee sleep and make her cute little noises.
When J got back with the kiddos, it was a full house. Along with them, Mom and Dad came, my sweet neighbors Bonnie and Annie Checketts, my good friend Kerri Shelton, and my awesome sister, Dawn. Though it was crazy, and the quietness quickly left, I loved having everyone visit. The girls loved meeting their sweet baby sister and they were all so cute how they doted over Kodee. At one time, Rhett even went up to her and started to stroke her head and sing a song. When he was done, he said, "That's Kodee's lullaby!"





It was a very long and draining day. I think I went about 28 hours or so without sleep. But when I look into that sweet face, I can't help but know that it's all worth it. I count my lucky stars for this sweet miracle to join our family. Talk about Love at First Sight!