Olivia

My friend requested that I post the birth story of Olivia on my blog and I thought that was a wonderful idea! This way, I will actually get it written down so I'm not wracking my brain thinking 'did that happen with Caden or was it Michael or Trey?' Although because it was done so soon, I remember all the details so it is pretty long - sorry! Thanks Kira for making me get it done!

Caden's birthday is May 5th, Trey's June 5th and Michael's October 12th, so when we found out I was pregnant, we thought it would be fun to have this baby on November 12th. However, when they told me my due date was November 20th I remember thinking "there is no way I could hold out until the 12th!", especially after I had a very vivid dream that I had my baby exactly a month early... that sure didn't happen!

I went in for my 39 week apt on Wednesday the 11th. My Doctor checked me and nothing had changed much since the week before (bearly dilated over a 1. pathetic) He asked if I wanted to be induced. Sure - I had to have patosson (sp?) after my water broke with Michael so what was the difference? I asked him if I could be started on the morning of the 12th, but he explained that he had surgeries that day and is always nervous to start someone, knowing he could be stuck in a surgery. I saved November 13th instead.

A contraction woke me up Thursday morning (the 12th) at 12:15 a.m. I didn't think much of it since it had happened a couple nights before. I fell back asleep just to be woken up 15 minutes later. The night/morning was filled with contractions ranging 2-20 minutes apart, nothing regular, but still SO painful that I had to breath through each one. Finally at 5:30 I called the labor & delivery nurse asking what I should do. She asked if this was my first delivery? I told her it would be my 4th. She said "You better hurry in. We don't want you to have that baby at home!" I still wasn't sure this was it cause with all my children, my contractions have been very regular at 2-3 minutes apart. I took a shower, did my hair and make up, (need to look good for pictures if this was it!) packed up the last little items in my bag, then got the boys ready to be taken up to Gramommas. We started driving and I told Cody "Just drop me off at the hospital and I'll get all checked in. By the time you're done dropping off the boys, I'll be in a room.

At 6:50 I walked in the Emergency Room doors - we wanted to beat the pregnant ladies being induced at 7:00 :) The lady looked at me and said "what can I help you with?" I looked down at my belly and had a contraction and she said "OH, I wasn't even sure if you were pregnant!" Hehe! She called for a wheelchair and they took me right up. What, No paperwork? Sweet! On the way up to my room, I noticed signs everywhere "NO children under 12 allowed IN the hospital." My heart sank. I knew my boys, especially Caden, would be so sad not to see their little sister. However I was VERY grateful there wouldn't be any risk of sick children coming up to the delivery floor, infecting my newborn baby!

As I got into my room, a nurse greated me saying that she was glad I finally made it. She checked me and I was relieved when I was told I was dilated to a 5! Wahoo! My baby was coming!!! And what an obedient girl to come on the day we wanted her on. Cody walked through the door and we smiled at each other, knowing we were both SO excited for our baby girl to make our family complete. After about an hour and dilating to a 7, I asked for a light epidural. Mine with Trey and especially Caden numbed me way too much and for way too long. Michael's was perfect cause it took the edge off the pain, I could feel pressure to know when to push, and could move my legs right after I delivered. That's exactly how I wanted it again. Cody has always hated needles, almost passing out when I got my epidural with Caden & Trey. He lucked out with Michael since my sister dropped by at the perfect time - she stayed with me while Cody ran out joyfully. This time I told Cody I needed him there with me. For some reason I was SO nervous and had been dreading this moment for the last several months. It was time and aside from a few skittish jumps (from me) we both did great! Cody even retained color in his face and didn't have to sit with his head between his legs. I was proud of both of us!

The next couple hours flew by without interruption (the nurse was told not to even touch me since my doctor was still in surgery). Cody filled out ALL the paperwork that I missed by being wheeled directly to my room (which nearly killed him. There was a ton!) and we finally decided on a middle name for Olivia - Malaya. It is a beautiful Tagalog name from the Philippines where Cody served his mission. We excitedly talked about our growing family and the perfect addition a little girl would make! Then uh oh, out of the blue I started feeling the contractions HARD. I pushed that little button they told me about. As I was waiting for the sweet relief of meds to kick in, I felt my water break... weirdest sensation ever. I was nervous cause my doctor still wasn't here. I think I practically yelled to my nurse and she came running. She checked me. Just like that, I was a 10. Embarrassingly, I started whimpering, not only cause of the pain of the contractions but mostly because of the PRESSURE. My body wanted the baby out yet I was trying to hold her in. It was SO hard. My doctor finally ran in, putting on his coat and gloves, three pushes and two minutes later she was out! I've often wondered how ladies can have their baby naturally and now I have the answer: Either you're crazy or you don't have a choice! I have never felt such pain. During delivery, my sweet doctor was trying to talk to me, then he started joking around with me to get me talking and I totally ignored him! All I could do was close my eyes and breath deeply. I guess I did too much deep breathing cause after she came out, I was shaky and almost passed out. I remember my doctor telling me "Open your eyes and look down!" I saw my beautiful baby! I remember Cody saying "It's a girl!" (something I had been worrying about throughout the entire pregnancy) I remember the doctor telling the nurse to check my blood pressure. I remember opening my eyes and seeing Cody taking pictures of Olivia getting her weighed and her under the warmer. I remember the doctor telling the nurse to get more fluids in my IV. I remember Cody holding his baby girl all wrapped up with her hat on. I remember the doctor telling me that seeing Cody holding Olivia would be a perfect picture. I remember the doctor asking for my camera so HE could take a picture Cody holding Olivia :) I remember the doctor taking off his coat and telling me I did wonderful. I remember thinking that I should get a picture of the doctor and nurse with Cody, Olivia and I like I have done with all my boys (but the words never made it out of my mouth). I remember Cody coming by my side to show me Olivia and reminding me that we finally had our girl! I remember seeing Cody hold her and I started crying for happiness of that beautiful sight and for sadness that I was so out of it that I couldn't hold my sweet little baby girl. My "memories" were just moments that I finally opened up my eyes just to close them back again. Going natural work best for some women, but since I wasn't trained on how to do it, it made ME miss out on so much of my only baby girl's delivery that I will always regret not getting more epidural.

About 30 minutes later I finally felt well enough to hold Olivia. There are no words to describe that first moment of holding something so small, with such a sweet calm spirit that has just left heaven. I cried again, cherishing that moment. Then I was super mean and unwrapped her - I had to look at everything! She had long legs, 10 fingers and 10 long toes. Then I took off her hat - She had hair!!! (the boys didn't get hair until they were 2 years old!) It was long, dark brown and a little curly! I got her all snugly again and looked at her face to see who she resembled. She has my eyes and chin dimple. Were those cheek dimples I saw? Yes! Who she got those from, I don't know! She looks most like Trey and gratefully not much like Cody... Don't get me wrong, I am SO glad my 3 boys look like mini-Cody's but I want it to stop there! I think you all know what I'm saying.

My next most memorable moment was Cody's parents coming to visit. Since they had our boys, they had to come in shifts. Billie came into our room holding a soft pink material house with Olivia's name on it, filled with a bunny family along with furniture. What a cute gift! She held her 6th grandchild, 2nd granddaughter. We chatted and she snuggled. She went back down with the boys and Bruce came up. He held her, stared down at her and told me she was beautiful. It was heartwarming. Cody's brother also held her and told me she was the cutest baby ever! I already knew that :) Cody came back into the room after visiting with our boys in the waiting room. He showed them the pictures from the camera and Trey exclaimed "That's our baby? Olivia's here?!?" He didn't realize it was OUR baby that his Grandparents had been talking about all morning! As I expected Caden was sad he couldn't come see us and hold Olivia. Michael was just upset to be stuck in a room and was throwing fits to go outside. Cody's sister was dying to come ASAP but because of the no kid rule, she had to wait until her hubby got home to watch her kids. Breanna came and held her for over an hour while Cody took a little nap. We are so excited to both have girls now that can be best friend-cousins! It was so nice visiting with her with no interruptions from kids! I love my in-laws so much and am so grateful for all their help.

My parents weren't able to visit until that evening, which was great because after a night of no sleep and such a hard delivery, I was tired and that gave me time to rest. My mom held her first, and she did exactly what I did - undressed her from head to toe... I know where I get that from :) It was fun cause as I was telling her about the delivery, she told me about some of her horror birthing stories. Funny, you can live with someone so long and yet still hear new stories about their life! I loved it! Olivia finally woke up so my mom could see her eyes, then my dad promptly stole her away and started chatting to her - those are some of the fondest memories I have of my dad is his love and patience with children! This is their 17th grandchild, 9th granddaughter and yet you would've thought it was their first - they were so excited! My mom brought Olivia a headband that will match her beautiful blessing dress that my mom made for her and an adorable fleece snow hat. Thanks mom & dad! Your love and support means so much to me!

After another sleepless night filled with nurses coming in and out, we decided since everything was going well for me and Olivia was perfect, we'd go home. We did the classes, filled out paperwork, loaded the car and took Olivia home to meet her brothers. On the way, we passed the boys playing at the park. Caden got so excited that he let go of the monkey bars and fell on his butt! It made Cody and I laugh so hard! (don't worry, he wasn't hurt) I have been worried that because Michael is SUCH a Mommy's boy that he would either hate Olivia because she was taking me away from him or resent me for spending so much time with her, so we planned to put her in her room, hug & love the boys then bring them into her room to show them. Caden came charging in the door and a couple minutes later, so did everyone else. They all fell in love with her the moment they saw her and have been great big brothers! They love to hold her (Caden has even figured out how to play Playstation games while holding her) they give her hugs and kisses, they give her a binki when she cries, (Michael actually started sobbing, saying "uh oh Babia" the first time he heard her cry) they make sure everyone washes their hands before they touch her, don't let her look into the bright energy-saving lights, etc... yes, all that has it's drawbacks too, but at least they love and protect her! I couldn't ask for anything better!

She is now 4 weeks old and I cannot believe the time has flown by so fast. I'm trying to figure out her feeding and napping schedule to make my life easier. Right now she falls asleep while eating, doesn't finish, sleeps for a minute, wakes up then wants to eat again. I feel like I'm feeding her ALL THE TIME. Any suggestions?!? For me having FOUR kids (It still shocks me to say that!) schedules are mandatory for my sanity. She is growing wonderfully, staying awake longer to play (unfortunately usually right when I want to put her to bed) and gratefully sleeps through her noisy brother's rampages - actually sleeping better with the noise I would say. I absolutely LOVE dressing her all up and am trying to teach her to enjoy it too. Michael gets in on the action by picking out her clothes and Trey gives her baby messages to calm her down after we dress her (Caden's usually at school when we do this). I am grateful for my boys' help, especially my biggest guy - couldn't do it without them. I love my little family so much!