Continuing On......

I have had numerous people comment on how they found it hard to believe that I felt good enough to blog about our newest addition so soon. Just for the record I was all alone in my hospital room with Heidi by my side, a laptop in my lap (hehe), nurses coming in and out and this beautiful world of wireless connection. It made it possible for me to post before coming home since I didn't know how soon I would have time upon my arrival home. Turns out I am feeling inspired though - it must be new life and the miracle of a baby. Today was our roughest day so far. Ms. Heidi just didn't want to sleep most of the day as well as last night. On top of that my hormones are on the fritz (as my husband put it). I had a moment today where tears were shed and it just felt very good and cleansing. After my little crying spell I have felt much, much better. Just look at her sweet little face!! I still can't get over how tiny she is. I love that new baby smell, the funny faces and noises she makes, her violent reflexes.....I could go on and on. I am still very much captivated by her.

Here we found Tristan sharing his trains with Heidi while she was sleeping. Out of all the kids I was the most concerned about Tristan. For some reason I just envisioned him having a hard time with the transition. So far he has been marvelous! He loves her so much and is so gentle with her. He hasn't seemed jealous once. I am hoping this means he feels very secure in my love and knows nothing can replace him.

Our first evening home Mark's sister Hannah came over and just kind of helped to corral the kids. It really helped us to be able to settle in and get situated. Here she was meeting and holding Heidi for the first time.

So for a brief rundown of the day on Wednesday. I woke up at 4:15 to Tristan crying for me and just couldn't get comfortable after returning to bed. I tossed and turned and dozed on and off. Around 5:30 I realized I was having some contractions but nothing too major. I called the doctor a little before 6:30 and they said to go ahead and come in since I had gone so quickly with Tristan. We got to the hospital around 7:30, I was checked sometime shortly after 8:00 and found out that I was only 2-3 centimeters with a very posterior cervix. Didn't sound too promising. So....I got up, paced in my room, sat on the big exercise ball, paced some more ......an hour later not much change. By 10:00 I was just getting to be 4 centimeters and I was impatient. This was not going the way my other labors had gone. I figured I would be holding a baby by 10:00. The doctor on call was amazing!!!! She had this nifty little gadget (I won't go into detail) that enabled her to break my water even though my cervix was very difficult to reach. I thought for sure I would fly after my water was broken. I always do. Usually after my water is broken I am ready to push 15 minutes later. Not this time. Still kind of taking my time and not progressing too fast which looking back was an answer to many prayers. I had almost resorted to begging God (attractive I know) to somehow allow me to have pain medication this time. Just as my contractions started to intensify the anesthesiologist showed up and administered my spinal block. I can't say enough good things about this man! Except that I love him! No....I didn't say I am in love with him - just that I love him. Although for a few minutes I thought he had made my labor come to a screeching halt. Until Mark informed me that my contractions had in fact intensified on the monitor. I just couldn't feel anything. Long story short....Heidi entered the world at 1:32 about an hour after the pain medication was administered. Oh how I love drugs!!! Can't say enough good things about drugs!! I am convinced that the reason I have felt so good physically is because I wasn't worn out from the intensity of the labor. I breezed right through it all completely oblivious to the pain. And now I really should stop typing and get myself off to bed since Heidi is sleeping. Let's just pray for a better night tonight then last night. ANd for those of you reading this on Monday feel free to pray for me since it will be my first day flying solo since arriving home. My desire is to have low expectations for what I get done and to be exceedingly loving, understanding and patient with my children. Hmmm.....those things sound contradictory already to the beginning of the sentence....maybe just being loving with my children is enough for tomorrow. Then on Tuesday I can tack on understanding. You know what I mean. Prayer would be welcome and much appreciated.