Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's been June since I last updated. A lot has happened in the past 4 months - namely I had a baby! Evelynn Kay Anderson arrived on September 3, at 6:13p.m. in the evening and was 7 lb. 7 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. Looking at this little girl, I still can't believe she fit in my tummy for the past 9 months! It truly is a miracle how God forms a baby.
Am I ever glad that the labor and delivery is over! We had planned to go into the hospital that morning at 7 a.m. to be induced, since Evelynn was nearly 2 weeks overdue. My doctor surprised me two days before, telling me I was already dilated to 2 cm (I had no idea!) That early Thursday morning, I began to have contractions - ugh. Finally I had enough and was getting nervous, so we headed to the hospital at 2:30 a.m. They hooked me up to a very small dose of Pitocin and told me to get some sleep (ha!)
I have to say, no matter how much you read about labor, you just are not prepared for what contractions feel like. I tried very hard to breathe through them, and relax, but it was really a struggle - they hurt! I had so hoped to have a natural childbirth, but by that early afternoon, I was absolutely miserable. After no sleep the night before, I would have a contraction, then fall asleep, causing the nurse to catch me so I didn't fall over, then I would be right back into another contraction. Our labor nurse was completely wonderful and was ready to support me either way that I wanted to go, but after much deliberating, I decided to have an epidural. I know there is a lot of controversy over epidurals but I have to say, the anesthesiologist put me at ease and I really feel it was the right decision for me. Relief was almost immediate, and I feel asleep for over an hour.
By the time I woke up, I was already dilated to 10 cm and we were ready to start pushing. And push I did! It took nearly 3 hours to get this little one out - and for good reason - she came out with her hand pressed against her head, making it that much more difficult! Our doctor was so wonderful and encouraging and before I knew it, Evie was out and the doctor plopped on my stomach and Dan cut her cord. Evelynn was here! She was absolutely beautiful and completely awake for hours after she was born, already watching faces. It was completely surreal to hold this little girl and know I was now a mom!
Four weeks later, and things are going well. We had some pretty rough times starting out breastfeeding (cracks, bleeding, and soreness- ouch) but about 3 weeks things got so very very much better. Now, I am enjoying being mom to this little one besides being so exhausted I can barely function. I've always been one to love my 8 hours of sleep, but alas, babies are not exactly considerate.
I have to admit, having a baby in the house is not a piece of cake. It can be lonely hanging out at home all day by myself, and with Dan working full time and going to school, right now I feel like I barely have a husband or even a relationship. It's hard. We're already dreaming of the day we can take a vacation, or at least just go on a date. As a good friend of us observed, there should be baby counseling but people having a baby for the first time, just like there is pre-marital counseling!
Every day I look at Evie though and thank the Lord for this little miracle. Parenting is not easy but wow, it is amazing!
Stephanie
