I had LOTS of contractions for weeks before the big day. I was up more mornings than I care to remember, counting contractions and trying to decide if it was time to load up the van. The contractions ALWAYS hit harder at night (I know I drove my husband who was desperately trying to catch some zzz's crazy for a few weeks). This false labor hurt just as badly as the real thing at times, but the contractions never regulated enough to merit a drive to the hospital.
I tried to keep my spirits up by keeping busy, running Sarah to preschool, pee wee sports league, etc. As you can see below, there was a lot to keep my spirits up during this time.
Sarah and her friend, Liam, have developed a love affair on the soccer field. Chris said they basically do this every week during pee wee sports.
If they were 16, I am sure Daddy would be rushing into this photo trying to pull these two apart!
More hugs while the coach "coaches" the preschoolers.
I love this photo, check out the tongue. Sarah always does this when she is concentrating. I think we have a Michael Jordan!
The Saturday morning before I delivered, Daddy took Sarah to her final pee wee league event. She was so proud to take home this medal! This is the last moment of normalcy before our world was forever changed by little Leah!I spent a great part of the day cleaning out closets. I once read that a very high percentage of women describe a burst of unexpected energy and a cleaning spurt within 12 hours of delivery. I have now done this very thing with both of my pregnancies, so I think this "wives tale" is fact!
At about 5:30, we decided to get ready and grab something out to eat. I asked to go to Lexington, mostly because my instincts told me that I needed to stay near the hospital. We decided on the Olive Garden. Sarah was not so enthused to go with us and asked if she could stay with her grandparents down the street. They were happy to keep her and we were on our way. About half way to the Olive Garden, I began having contractions. Keep in mind, this was nothing new; I had been contracting for weeks. However, these were TWO minutes apart from the get go! As we got closer to our destination, I changed my mind and asked for fast food, and by the time we reached Chick fil a, I told him to pass "go" and head straight for Central Baptist! I checked in and waited for OVER AN HOUR to be checked by a nurse (they were extremely busy on this night). By the time I was seen, I was pacing the floor having contractions under two minutes apart. I called my neighbor Penny (a labor and delivery nurse who works at CB) and I had a nurse within minutes. She said I was 4 centimeters dilated but my water had not broken...Seconds later, it broke (I think thanks to her thorough exam...Ouch!). This is when we knew it was the real deal. We were going nowhere. My only regret was that I did not say a proper goodbye to Sarah. I had no idea the night would turn out in this way.
Penny came over to help me with labor even though Saturday was her day off (she is a Godsend). She was there to help me deliver Sarah as well. So I had two nurses and one who stayed with me round the clock! I felt like a real VIP that night. Mom and Dad rushed up (driving to Lexington in 2 hours and 10 minutes only to be stopped dead by post football game traffic). They still made it in time.
I was in EXTREME PAIN within an hour of my exam. Not only were the contractions off the charts, I was poked no less than 5 times by three nurses trying to start an IV of fluid and pitocin. I am still not recovered from one of these attempts. My veins roll, what can I say? For those of you who know me well, getting an IV is more frightening than childbirth and now you know why. Needles are not my friend. Once the pitocin kicked in, I progressed very quickly. I delivered Leah in 7 hours from the first contraction! It was really a non event after the epidural. Mom, Dad, Penny, Chris, and I shot the breeze into the night until I told Penny I felt like I needed to push. 10 pushes later, Leah Hope was here!
Our little beauty arrives!
It was sooooo much easier than the first 26 hour delivery! I felt great and walked to the bathroom with almost no help just afterward! It was a very long night. We were not left alone to get sleep until 6:00am on Sunday morning! I think we slept under two hours that night.
She is soooo strong! Her ability to latch on and nurse was painfully strong even moments after birth. This has not changed in the past week. I knew even in the womb of her strength. At times it felt like she was going to push her way out on her own!
First bath. Leah looks exhausted.
The next day, JoAnn, Charles and Amy came to meet the newest Coleman!
Aunt Amy...Do you think Leah will call her "my Amy" as well?
Papaw Coleman meets his granddaughter.
Look at all this hair. I had heartburn from the moment I found out I was pregnant. I guess the old wives tale is true here as well!
Mommy and baby bonding.
Uncle JB snuck in for a visit. He has not missed a birth yet within the immediate family!
I think she looks like Chris, what do you think?
On the day we were released, we dressed her in a beautiful gown given to Leah by "aunt" Brandy. Mom and Dad came by to see if we needed help. She looks so proud!
First photo with both grandparents. The soothie is as big as her head!
Papaw McReynolds and Leah ...it looks like love at first sight!
We left the hospital and drove straight to Sarah's preschool to let her meet her sister for the first time. Central Baptist decided to prohibit children under 18 from visiting the maternity wards due to the swine flu epidemic just days before I delivered. She was over the moon to meet Leah!
Sarah passed the time during our hospital stay preparing the house for a true first "birthday party". She ran straight to her baby brag book when we got home to show Leah her baby photos from four years back. Aren't the minds of children interesting?
Sarah holds sissy for the first time.
Best friends forever (I hope) :)
She has really grown protective over the baby in the past weeks. She must see her as soon as she returns from any other location or event. She kisses her daily and tells her she loves her. Both of our girls are truly blessings.
Sarah and Amy went over to Brandy's while I was in the hospital and created a delicious birthday cake for Leah. Sarah insisted on putting roller skate decorations on top. Again, what goes through the minds of 3 1/2 year olds?
This sign almost made me weep. Sarah created the most beautiful welcome home banner for her sister.
My first photo with "the girls".
Our first family photo as a foursome.
Let's dig in! The party begins!
Sarah insisted on a birthday hat for the birthday girl.
The next few days were exhausting, but we are plugging along.
Doesn't she look like a little Chris? I did not see much of a resemblence between Sarah and either of us. I can truly say I see one with Leah.
First bath at home. She does not like the bath part, but she loooves to have her hair brushed!
All done and hungry again. (no surprise). This one has the appetite of an offensive lineman!
Sarah just loves to play the role of big sister!
A few days after we made it home, it was Halloween! I had to show our little beauty dressed as Snow White.
I can't believe how "girlie" Sarah has become. She seems so grown up!
We are blessed beyond measure! For our family, friends, and church family in the area, thanks for all the prayers, visits, gifts, and meals... We love you all and can't wait to share more in the future.
Our little beauty arrives!
It was sooooo much easier than the first 26 hour delivery! I felt great and walked to the bathroom with almost no help just afterward! It was a very long night. We were not left alone to get sleep until 6:00am on Sunday morning! I think we slept under two hours that night.
She is soooo strong! Her ability to latch on and nurse was painfully strong even moments after birth. This has not changed in the past week. I knew even in the womb of her strength. At times it felt like she was going to push her way out on her own!
First bath. Leah looks exhausted.
The next day, JoAnn, Charles and Amy came to meet the newest Coleman!
Aunt Amy...Do you think Leah will call her "my Amy" as well?
Papaw Coleman meets his granddaughter.
Look at all this hair. I had heartburn from the moment I found out I was pregnant. I guess the old wives tale is true here as well!
Mommy and baby bonding.
Uncle JB snuck in for a visit. He has not missed a birth yet within the immediate family!
I think she looks like Chris, what do you think?
On the day we were released, we dressed her in a beautiful gown given to Leah by "aunt" Brandy. Mom and Dad came by to see if we needed help. She looks so proud!
First photo with both grandparents. The soothie is as big as her head!
Papaw McReynolds and Leah ...it looks like love at first sight!
We left the hospital and drove straight to Sarah's preschool to let her meet her sister for the first time. Central Baptist decided to prohibit children under 18 from visiting the maternity wards due to the swine flu epidemic just days before I delivered. She was over the moon to meet Leah!
Sarah passed the time during our hospital stay preparing the house for a true first "birthday party". She ran straight to her baby brag book when we got home to show Leah her baby photos from four years back. Aren't the minds of children interesting?
Sarah holds sissy for the first time.
Best friends forever (I hope) :)
She has really grown protective over the baby in the past weeks. She must see her as soon as she returns from any other location or event. She kisses her daily and tells her she loves her. Both of our girls are truly blessings.
Sarah and Amy went over to Brandy's while I was in the hospital and created a delicious birthday cake for Leah. Sarah insisted on putting roller skate decorations on top. Again, what goes through the minds of 3 1/2 year olds?
This sign almost made me weep. Sarah created the most beautiful welcome home banner for her sister.
My first photo with "the girls".
Our first family photo as a foursome.
Let's dig in! The party begins!
Sarah insisted on a birthday hat for the birthday girl.
The next few days were exhausting, but we are plugging along.
Doesn't she look like a little Chris? I did not see much of a resemblence between Sarah and either of us. I can truly say I see one with Leah.
First bath at home. She does not like the bath part, but she loooves to have her hair brushed!
All done and hungry again. (no surprise). This one has the appetite of an offensive lineman!
Sarah just loves to play the role of big sister!
A few days after we made it home, it was Halloween! I had to show our little beauty dressed as Snow White.
I can't believe how "girlie" Sarah has become. She seems so grown up!
We are blessed beyond measure! For our family, friends, and church family in the area, thanks for all the prayers, visits, gifts, and meals... We love you all and can't wait to share more in the future. Now if I could only figure out how to get a two week old to sleep through the night.....
Bye for now!
Bye for now!
1 comment:
So, so sweet. I got all teary eyed seeing that photos of Sarah greeting Leah for the first time. She's a beautiful baby and we're so glad she's here safely.
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