Two weeks ago tomorrow, May 27, 2016 at 3:13pm, my life changed forever when Blaire made her speedy delivery into this world. For those who appreciate the gory details, I'll gladly send you a more complete version, but I'll be as discreet as possible for those slightly more squeamish among us.
I go in for my regular 39 week appointment excited and confident I'll be waiting for a spontaneous labor. But amniotic fluid levels have the doc concerned, so after an ultrasound and stern talk about resting, drinking fluids, etc. I wait another three days. On Thursday, AJ accompanies me to this heart-fluttering appointment, at which point we are told the words I REALLY didn't want to hear. "Fluid lower, INDUCE YOU MUST!" So we go out for a last supper, pick up groceries, and head home to pack our bag....all the while I try everything I can think of to induce labor "naturally." :) Evidently my OB caught on to my reluctance, because that next morning he comes into the room, smiles and says, "I'm glad you're here...was wondering if I'd have to put out an APB to get you in here!"
At 4:30am, Friday May 27th, (after not really much sleep due to heartburn from the spicy food that was supposed to induce labor), I turn to AJ and say, "Only positive today, only positive." At 5:30am we arrive at the birth center, more nervous than I can remember being for quite some time, but positive and (maybe nervously) chirpy. Pitocin has me worried, despite countless assurances from friends and family who've been induced. 7:30am Pitocin begins...and I wait through 4 hrs of super gradual (read: boring) contractions. The doc checks me- no progress. Breaks water. Progress in the form of pain for the next few hours, but doc checks me again. "You're not quite in active labor." Ugh.
30 minutes later the contractions are as strong as I'd ever felt with Briggs...and this "not in active labor" business has me worried. Thinking I have several hours of this back labor to endure, I ask to discuss an epidural. 10 minutes later, I don't need to discuss...I need it! This takes a bit of time (especially since I fervently denied I would ever need one, so haven't met the anesthesiologist). The OB arrives about 15 minutes later (he's also delivering another baby on the floor), and I'm on the bed (in an awkwardly defiant "not in bed, but on the bed" position) basically screaming, "So much pressure!" then, "I need to push!!!" This coincides with the arrival of the anesthesiologist, who is quickly assured her services won't be needed. 5 minutes later, Blaire makes her speedy entrance into the world. For those who've never "pushed," 5 minutes (or it could have been 10, but still...) of pushing isn't super desirable for recovery purposes, but it did sure ease my mind! :):)
I'm pretty sure this is one of the first things out of my mouth after Blaire is born: "Thank the Good Lord Almighty THAT is over!" (I am a pastor, after all) :) Then skin to skin, nursing, bliss....the whole world stands still for a few hours as I soak in the new bundle of arms and legs and deep blue eyes snuggling into my chest.
Baby Blaire is my new little girl, weighing 7lb 11oz, a whole pound lighter than her brother. She has dark hair and seems to possess a darker complexion, which prompts AJ to ask in front of the whole care team assembled, "Who's baby is this?"
She's ours. And she belongs to the world now. God's creation at its most miraculous. This is why the story is worth sharing, because in 8 short hours, Blaire transformed from an idea growing inside me into an independent, lovable, delicately fashioned person.
And in 8 short hours, I transformed from a mom of one into a mom of two. And it's a miracle that mom's survive this transition without going crazy! I am new again, because my whole world has changed, and I must change right along with it. It's a re-birth of sorts for all of us in the Munger household...A family of four, already on our way to experiencing the joys, challenges, sleepless nights and petty fights that go along with it, and of course the sheer beauty of it all.
God, smooth out the wrinkles during this transition, that we might focus on the miraculous above the mundane. And thanks, for this tiny wonder we call Blaire Yvonne. Amen.
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| Briggs has surprised me with his level of affection and tenderness toward "baby sister" |
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| Blaire's starting to add the chunk! |
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| Carving out a little Briggs time to pick berries (which Briggs unknowingly refers to as "beers.") |
