I remember Mattie surprising me with a BabyMoon at the DonCesar in St. Pete. Besides being extremely thoughtful and sweet, it was pure bliss! We laid by the pool and ate some fantastic meals and just did nothing. Like I said, pure bliss.
I remember being SO READY to go in to labor! I was actually having contractions a few weeks prior to when I got induced, so I thought for sure I would not make it to my induction date. I did. Grrr.
I remember really making an effort to treasure the last few moments and memories that Matt and I would have alone together with Sienna. Every opportunity to go out on a date, Matt and I took! Every sweet moment with Sienna, I tried to squeeze the most out of!
I remember laughing more and more every day at Sienna's antics. She started climbing out of her pack n play and when Matt and I asked her how she climbed out, she simply said, "Feet." Matt and I loved that! Whenever she drops something or spills something or something isn't working out the way she wants to, she says, "Aw man!" in the most adult-like tone. She continues to bring us so much laughter and delights AND try our patience like no one could. : )
And then the boys joined us on October 28. I was induced at Tampa General Hospital at 10:45am and delivered 6 pound 13 oz Price at 8:08 and 5 pound 7 ounce Maddox at 8:11. I was pretty nervous about being induced because I had an all-natural birth with Sienna. And I have to say I hated it. I hated being hooked up to monitors and machines all day just waiting for something to happen. I MUCH prefer doing all the waiting at my house and showing up at the hospital just in time for the main event! Oh and I was STARVING all day! I couldn't eat anything and I was miserable. To top things off, I got the epidural (which was already tough for me to accept) too late, so when it came time to push, I still felt EVERYTHING. I was not pleased!
The story is, I progressed from 5cm-8cm in about a half hour. I thought I would have more time to get the epidural. I literally said to my mom, "I could probably bear through the last few contractions, but I would love the epidural so I don't feel the pushing." I got the epidural, I immediately felt the sensation to start pushing, so they wheeled me in to the operating room. I had to deliver in the operating room, so that if I needed an emergency c-section everything would be set up. Delivering in an operating room could not have been more different than my delivery with Sienna. There were 20 people in the room, outrageously bright lights, all the typical "scary" medical equipment, Matt and my mom were scrubbed up, I had to wear one of those goofy shower cap things...talk about ambiance! Once there, I quickly began to push and much to my dismay (that's an understatement), I felt EVERYTHING! They don't call it the ring of fire for nothing. I played the very stereotypical role of a woman delivering a baby. As I was pushing, I was yelling, "Why does this hurt?! This isn't supposed to hurt!!!" I think I made the anesthesiologist very uncomfortable. Luckily for me and everyone around me, Price came out in around 8 minutes and 6-10 pushes. But then the real fun began. As Price came out, Maddox took advantage of all the extra space and immediately turned breach. In ANY OTHER situation, with ANY OTHER doctor in Tampa, I would have had a c-section. But I chose Dr. Zakhary for a reason, and THIS WAS IT! Dr. Zakhary reached up inside, grabbed Maddox by his legs, and twisted him out of me like a corkscrew. The good news is, I only had to give one little push to get his head out. The bad news is, I still felt EVERYTHING.
I cant't say enough how grateful I am for Dr. Zakhary and that I stuck with him. I considered switching OBs several time because not only is his office thirty minutes away, but he is the only doctor in his practice which meant waiting hours at every appointment. I am so relieved I decided to stay. Recovering from a vaginal birth and a c-section would have been devastating.
We came home on October 30th and have settled in better than I could have hoped. Matt has been an absolute super hero. He absolutely shares fifty percent of the responsibilities and duties with the babies, Sienna, and around the house. I could not do this without his outstanding effort and help. We even felt good enough to go trick or treating with Sienna aka "Holly Golightly". Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers throughout my pregnancy, labor and delivery. Keep them coming as we embark on these next few years of utter madness and loads of fun!
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| Last Date Night! |
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| 38 Weeks: Morning of my delivery |
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| Maddox |
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| Price |
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| Holly Golightly |
