Wednesday, February 29, 2012

"Hey Hunny- I think I might be in labor?!?!?"

Chase had a race on Sunday right outside Birmingham, AL. We debated on whether to go or not... I mean I am 9 months pregnant and all- but in the end we went. I mean people used to have babies in covered wagons, so surely I could have a baby at a hospital in Birmingham as opposed to Murfreesboro, right?!?! Plus I felt great! No signs or symptoms of labor at all.

So we got up early Sunday morning and headed south. While Chase raced I sat in a camp chair soaking up the sun, just taking it easy. 

When Chase got done he loaded up and we headed back home. On the way home I could not get comfortable, my back started aching, and there was more abdominal pressure than normal. I didn't think much about- just chalked it up to riding in a car with such a big belly. 

So when we got home, Chase unloaded the car while I changed into my "Tummy Tuesday" outfit (I always take my tummy tuesday picture on Sunday nights because that is 1/2 way through my pregnancy week).

And then Chase jumped into the shower, and I put a heating pad on my back. When he got out I jumped in. We were gross from being outside all day. 

I was still having a lot of pressure, but still didn't think much about it- but now my boobs hurt too. 

I got out of the shower- dried my hair and put on my pj's so I could go to bed, but while putting on my pj's I thought my water might have broken. At first I thought I may have peed on myself a little- I mean I did have a 6 lbs baby jumping on my bladder! So I changed my pj's and started getting ready for bed. But then the "pressure" I was having started coming and going- Then it dawned on me.... "Maybe I am in labor?" So I walked in to the den where Chase was on the computer and said "Hey Hunny- I think I might be in labor?!?!?".

He looked up from the computer and said, "What are your symptoms?" but before I could answer he started reading symptoms off the website he was looking at. :) Apparently he had some sort of 6th sense that I was because he had gotten out of the shower and googled labor symptoms.

We came to the conclusion that my water probably had broken (but was more or less just leaking) and I was having contractions, but they were very mild and about 7 minutes apart. The doctor had told us not to head to the hospital until they were 5 minutes apart for an hour, so I started folding the laundry (if I was in labor I didn't want to come home to a pile of clean cloths on our bed!) and Chase called the family to let them know to be on stand by, then started getting our bags together and in the car. We could not get ahold of any of my family, but come to find out they were all at William's play!

We gave Libby a bone (just in case I wasn't in labor and we were going to be in a few hours) and headed out the door to the hospital!

We rode in silence for about the first 5 minutes... It was kind of surreal... Were we really about to have a baby??? The silence was broken when my family started returning our calls. When we turned on the radio "I Need a Doctor" by Dr Dre was on! HA!!!! Neither one of us could wipe the smiles off our face :)... We were headed to the hospital to have a baby!!!!

Welcome to Middle Tennessee Medical Center  9:00pm

We got checked in and we found out that I was indeed in active labor and they admitted me.



We called the family in Memphis and told them to head on. Chase's parents were already in Jackson, and mine were just getting home from William's play and about to head out.

Then we called Mary Leigh to let her know it was game on! But with one catch... we needed her to go to our house because we forgot Mary Claire's bag in her nursery.. oops... and if she could grab Libby and take her to their house since we are obviously going to be in the hospital more than a few hours now.

We were on Cloud 9 looking around the room


Our daughter was going to be laying there in just a matter of hours!!!

My Labor and Delivery Nurse was AWESOME! Her name was Julie, and it turns out she went to UT Martin with a bunch of people Chase and I graduated with. It's such a small world!


Now it was a waiting game.....


 ........


 ...........




 ......


About 10:00 or so my contractions were getting pretty bad, so I was ready for the epidural.

The epidural was a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I am semi-needle phobic, so I was already a little anxious about getting one- but it was ridiculous. The anesthesiologist spent 30+ minutes and used an ENTIRE tray of needles trying to get the epidural in. Wanna know how I know it was 30+ minutes? Well- because I was still have severe contractions every 3-4 minutes that I had to hold really still though. It was awful! I was in tears at one point and Chase stood up to see what the issue was and the anesthesiologist told him "Sir, you need to sit down"- and he quickly returned with "Well, you need to hurry up!" :) God love him!

At one point she thought she had it, but then realized she was in a blood vessel. UGH!!! 

Finally my amazing nurse Julie realized I was sitting in a hole in the bed so my back was croocked. So she repositioned me and then the epidural went right in. FINALLY!!!!


I got a popsicle for being such a good patient during my epidural :)

Any one want to hear a good joke?
Whats the most expensive kind of fish? A Goldfish! HAHAHAHAHA

My back the next day... OUCH!!!!
  Mary Leigh showed up with the forgotten items right after the anesthesiologist left... she just missed the action.

Then it was more waiting...


 Daddy is trying to nap...

And the grandparents arrive!

NaNa and Pops

Pop Pop comes bearing candy
D'D
The epidural slowed my progress... So I got sit STRAIGHT up for an hour. I felt like I was on a thrown.

Trying to get some rest before she makes her big entrance

 Good news: sitting up right did the trick! I was well on my way an hour. 
Bad news: The contractions were getting pretty intense...









Ok... It's time... Everyone out...




Monday, February 27, 2012

a sneak peak of Mary Claire

Proud Aunt Mary Leigh here with a sneak peak of the MC! 






Headed to get my boys from school and take them to meet their cousin! I'm one proud aunt, if you see me I'll show you the rest of the over 200 pictures I've already taken of this little peanut!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Showered with Love x3

The 3rd and final baby shower was in back in Covington for all the hometown folks. Man! It was awesome to go back and see all the people that we hardly ever get to see.

Claire, MawMaw, D'D, me, Chassity, TaTa, Gran-nannie, NaNa, MeeMaw

Who LOVES cupcakes??? Benton LOVES cupcakes!!!

Me and Robyn!!!
Me and RaeAnn :) 

No baby shower for Chase's child would be complete with out some kind of dirtbike reference... :)

 Mary Claire is one VERY loved little girl!!!!

Let's Open Presents!!!





 

As first time parents Chase and I can not begin to express how appreciative we are to everyone who came out to celebrate this special time in our lives. She is defiantly going to be one very well dressed little girl! And mommy and daddy are a much more prepared with the all baby necessities. :)

Now all we need is baby!