Your Arrival

Week 40 came and went. I remember it vividly. I'm not really sure what your father and I were thinking, but we decided a month before your due date to start construction on the basement. We wanted to turn the basement into you and Dylan's playroom. Our goal was to have it complete at least 2 weeks before your due date, but like most house projects, it went way past schedule.

Your due date was May 9, 2012. I stopped working on Friday, May 4th, and took the whole next week as a vacation week. I wanted to get as much rest and relaxation as possible before you arrived. So even though there was still construction going on in the basement, I found myself taking naps, cleaning, watching movies, gardening, and doing all sorts of odds and ends preparing for your arrival. I could NOT wait to meet you. I thought for sure you were going to arrive well before your due date, but nope, the 9th came and went.


It wasn't until Sunday May 13th, Mother's Day of all days, that I started having real contractions. I woke up at 6:30 that morning with my first contraction. At that point they were 45 minutes or so apart, but I knew they were real. It was "hopefully" only a matter of time before your daddy and I could meet you.



By noon time that day the contractions were still only 30 minutes apart. I knew it was going to be a LONG day, since I wasn't even allowed to head to the hospital until they were 5 minutes apart. Your brother Dylan was extremely antsy. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, and all he wanted to do was play outside. Specifically, he wanted to play soccer, run around, go to the park, and ride his bike. Based on how far apart my contractions were I knew it was going to be a while before daddy and I were going to be able to head to the hospital. So instead, we packed up all our bags and headed over to auntie Carrie's house so Dylan could play with his cousins, and I could have some support as I suffered through contraction after contraction.

We spent the entire afternoon there, and it wasn't until around 6:30pm that I thought we might have to head to the hospital. I was giving your brother and Taylor a bath with auntie Carrie, and remember leaning over in SO much pain. I couldn't speak until the contraction was over. At that point the contractions were between 6-8 minutes apart and I knew it was time. Daddy and I left your brother at auntie's house (auntie Karin was going to pick him up and take him home), and headed to the hospital. We got to the hospital around 8pm, got checked in, got examined, and headed straight to our delivery room. I was 4 cm dilated and fully effaced. I had already been through over 12 hours of contractions, so I opted to have the epidural right away.

The next 2 hours went by so quickly. Grama showed up and stayed in the room with us until it was time to push. Both Grama and daddy made bets on when you were going to arrive. Daddy knew it was going to be before midnight, but Grama and I didn't think it was going to be until the next day. Sure enough, right around 11:10pm I started feeling a ton of pressure, and started feeling nauseous. I was having bad pain in my side, so they checked to see how far along I was, and what do you know, you were ready to make your appearance. It was time to push.

Grama went out into the waiting room, and daddy stood beside me and held my hand. I did a couple practice pushes to ensure I was pushing properly, and after just a few really big pushes, our little baby girl, Lauren Elizabeth was born. 5/13/12 at 11:25pm. 7 lbs, 8 ounces, 20" long.

There were no complications, no chord wrapped around your neck, no issues, nothing. You were simply perfect. They put you on my chest and I held you there for as long as they would allow me to before they needed to take you and weigh you, and clean you all up. I couldn't believe what I had just done - again. First with your brother, and now with you. I had just experienced, again, the most beautiful miracle on earth. What could be more beautiful than the birth of a child? I thanked god that evening, and thank god each and every day for blessing me with our healthy children. You and your brother mean the absolute world to me, and I love you more than words could ever say. One day when you are all grown up and have children of your own, only then will you know just how much I love you.

Your father stayed with us in the hospital the entire time, and your brother came to meet you the very next day. He was so very sweet. He brought you a special gift (a glow worm), and in return you gave him a Finn Mcmissle car AND the trampoline that he jumps on everyday in the playroom. It was love at first sight with the two of you. He adores you, and wants to protect you, and you admire him, and follow him around everywhere. It is every parents wish to have siblings who love each other the way you do. I realize things can change, but I can't imagine things any different than they way they are at this very moment.

You are so very loved sweet baby Lulu. We will love you forever and always, and vow to protect you and be the best parents we possibly can be.