Jane Frances Hobby

So she's here. I can't believe she's 5 days old, it seems both like she's been here forever but it's also flying by. I guess I could technically still be pregnant since she was 9 days early.

It was so weird there at the end waiting for something- ANYTHING- to happen. I wanted to feel some contractions or something that meant we were on our way, but every time I felt anything I thought "just kidding, let's do this tomorrow, I remember this hurts." I was sleeping on the couch because sleeping in our bed hurt my side, when around 3:30 AM I felt my water break. Just like with Reese I went to tell Brady who said "Maybe you pee'd your pants." Then I had a few contractions and I knew. I started shaking and crying because there was no turning back now. I called my folks and they arrived to watch the girls around 4:30.

Little did we know Kaiser Walnut Creek was having their busiest month ever, and one of their busiest mornings ever. After being checked out- I was a keeper and they set us up in a delivery room. I wasn't having too many contractions so by 11 or so they started the Pitocin. My contractions were moving when they came in to tell me I was about an hour and half away from my epidural. She kindly turned the drug down and I willed my contractions to slow down (not really just luck I guess). By 1 or so hooked me up with an epidural and I was on my way again. Unfortunately it didn't work 100% and I still felt things. By 3:15 I was 5 centimeters, then 8, then 10. Just like with Reese and Lucy once I hit 5 it's all over. I pushed from 4:01 to 4:06 and out she came.

Brady was first to see and finally said "Do you want to know?" Yes! "It's a girl!" I was so excited. I'm glad we waited because it was fun to try it differently this time after knowing with both Reese and Lucy. Plus I was in love with her from the instant I saw her. Now it's hard to imagine having anything but another girl.

I feel really good! Surprisingly better than with the first two. After a day or so nothing even hurts. Except nursing of course, always my challenge. I think I have great pregnancies and deliveries so I can save my energy for the breastfeeding. But I'll keep hanging in.

Now it's hard to believe it's over and she's here. I felt a little sad that first night, I half expected to have two babies because in my head there was the possibility of a Jane Frances or a James Joseph- and only one would come to be. I know we're done and I'm glad to move on from pregnancy, etc. But I've enjoyed all three pregnancies and even the newborn thing. I love the shock when the pregnancy test turns positive. The way it feels to see the heartbeat the first time on an ultrasound, the anticipation for 9 months. But it's official- this is it! So I'm doing my best to suck up each and every precious day. Even the sleep deprivation.