All throughout my pregnancy she was amazed at watching my tummy grow and talking about all the things that baby sister was going to do and what she would teach her. The first time that she heard her name option she immediately started blessing her by name every night. I cried a lot as I held her thinking back on the very time I was pregnant with her and how fast she has grown up already. I cried because I just knew inside that she was going to grow up even more now that there was a baby sister coming. Boy was I right!! She amazes me everyday with the new stuff that she is learning.
I was again lucky to not experience morning sickness or nausea. Later in the pregnancy I did suffer from some acid reflux after having late night snacks of either cereal or ice cream (lol). Now after being born, I have to watch my milk and dairy intake because it makes her gassy and constipated, go figure...guess I should have known.
36 Weeks
Birth Day:
I already had an idea the night before that it could possibly happen sometime that next day. I felt different and I was talking to my mom late the night before and let her know that I was counting contractions and really felt like it was close. 3:30 AM I woke up and was really uncomfortable. I went to the restroom and noticed that I had lost my mucus plug. It was then I really knew it wasn't going to be long. Still feeling uncomfortable, I decided to take a bath. I woke up Brad and let him know what was happening. He got up at that point and started some coffee. I laid in the bath and texted mom to let her know that I was in labor. I went back and forth from the toilet and the bath just doing what felt normal. Brad went ahead and placed a call to Amanda (a really awesome midwife btw), and she said to just keep in touch giving him her cell phone number.
My parents showed up at the house around 5am. My dad just couldn't wait any longer. He was dressed and ready in his truck by 4am (it was a Monday so he THOUGHT he was going to work). He was so afraid that I was going to have the baby in my own tub or toilet so he was ready to get over to us FAST so he could be with Lynnlee and we could head out to the birthing center. When they arrived I got out of the bath and went into the living room with them. We all sat on the couches and watched tv and talking during contractions. My contractions were so random that it was hard to really track them. Lynnlee woke up about 7-7:30 am and still contracting really good I honestly don't remember much about her that morning. Around 9am Brad and I decided to go back to the bedroom and relax because I was super uncomfortable at this point on the couches. Mom came in about 10 am and said they were leaving with Lynnlee and would see us later. After they left, I was confused...the contractions were random but at the same time I was feeling more and more uncomfortable. Finally the midwife told us to go ahead and head that way to the BC at about 10:30 am. Contractions were hard riding in that car all the way to downtown Fort Worth but we managed and got there a little after 11am.
We came in and she must have cleared her schedule because we were the only ones there. I went upstairs and was so ready for the tub I couldn't wait. Amanda listened to heart beat and had me sit on the toilet a little before I was able to get into the tub. The pressure was so intense it was so hard to bear. Finally she came and got me and told me to put on my swim top and get in the tub. I was on my hands and knees and at one point I remember saying "What do I do when she comes?" lol not even knowing how I was going to get her from the water. She assured me that she would catch her and slide her under to me. Whelp, it didn't work that way. My water broke like a rubber band popping and literally I pushed maybe 7 times and she was here!! Born at 11:46 am, there she was all 7 lbs 9oz of her. She came out so fast she popped up out of the water so she wasn't able retrieve her. I flipped over and she was handed to me right away.
We cuddled in the water for a little while and everything after that is sort of a blur. I remember getting out and laying in the bed for the placenta delivery. Brad cut the cord while in the water and then Amanda took her due to her breathing. She felt that she needed to take a closer look at her while I got situated on the bed.
I remember this part was very painful, really bad cramping. I didn't remember it being this way with Lynnlee. Then I found out that this does get worse with each birth. After all of that was said and done I got to lay on the bed with little Bri on my chest for some time. This moment was so sweet...
That tongue!!
After our herbal bath she was dried, weighed, measured and dressed. As Brad dried off and and dressed I sponged myself off and dressed while Amanda did the examination. The one thing that I love about the midwife experience, not that I have anything else to compare it with but, the immediate bonding after the birth is so special and important. I love that my baby isn't whisked away a few minutes after birth. I was able to bond with both the girls before the full examination took place.
One difference this time with Brianne's birth was that we invited family
to come up and see her at the birthing center. I felt that since this
was to be our last baby (well that we are planning anyway), I felt it
might be neat to have our immediate families come up. After everyone
arrived Brad went down and got Lynnlee. My parents brought her with
them. I had hoped my whole pregnancy that birth day for Brianne would
come at a time when Lynnlee could be able to come up and meet her. Prayers were answered and the
pictures say it all...
Lynnlee walking in and seeing me holding her sister
Filled with so much joy and excitement
Sweet Kisses
"I wanna hold her"
"I just love her mommy"
Checking out all her little fingers "I see her little fingers"
Getting to record Lynnlee's reaction to meeting her sister for the first time was super cool, but the other thing I didn't think of by inviting up family was the photos that would be documented of each person meeting her. It was really something special.
In closing, if I can offer one piece of advise for anyone who is bringing a little one into this world, either by birthing center or hospital, the most precious thing is those moments captured. The real and raw "love at first sight" moments.Something I never thought of with the birth of Lynnlee was the moments when our parent and siblings met her for the first time. Having those photos to look back at was really something special. With that said, thank you Aly Renee Birth Photography for capturing both births for us :) Here are a few more to see
