The Waiting Game

As most of you know, I was trying to wait until my mom got to town before giving birth. As if I really had that much control, right? So I patiently waited and watched my activity levels so that I wouldn't throw myself into labor before she got here.

Well, she arrived on the afternoon of Good Friday. That night I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned. Somehow, I felt that since my mom was here, we should be having a baby. What were we waiting for? Apparently, Isaac didn't share the same sense of urgency that his mommy had! Each day I convinced myself that it was okay that I wasn't in labor yet. After all, I was still a week away from my official due date.

There may not have been any signs of labor at that point, but that wasn't for lack of effort. I walked, and walked and walked. I listened to advice from all sorts of people. Most people told me to take advantage of the trampoline in our back yard. I didn't go that far. After having to watch "the shaken baby video" before being discharged from the hospital after giving birth to both Ian and Isabelle, I just had a really hard time with the idea of the trampoline...

So we stayed very busy. David had duty on Easter Sunday, so we drove out to the beach and walked around for a while. It was a little chilly on the beach, but it looked beautiful. The kids seemed to be oblivious to the wind and the chill. They were also clueless that they were in full clothing when they started to bury themselves... and each other...

But at least they had a good time.

All through the week, we did what we could to stay busy. Mom helped me with some projects at the house we continued to prepare for this little baby to come into our house. We made his bed and washed more clothes. We set up diaper changing areas upstairs and down. And we walked.

At my DR appointment that week, he scheduled an induction for the following Tuesday. I really didn't want to be induced, but I was REALLY ready to have this baby!

On Saturday, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and we went to a local park to let the kids play. They had so much fun on the playground and the swings.

Isabelle even showed Nana a few tricks about how she can swing so high.

I snapped a few pictures so that I would have some current ones to send to friends and family.

When David met us at the park, he took the kids on the paddle boats. Ian stretched as far as he could in order to help peddle.

Isabelle just enjoyed the ride.

After a stop for some Italian ice, we went home and prepared for the Saturday evening service at church. When we were leaving, some neighbors asked if we were headed to the hospital. I replied, "No, we are going to church to pray this child out!" By this time I was past my due date and fairly over being pregnant. Mom and I had made plans to go to a movie after church, so we drove two cars to church so that David could bring the kids home and get them to bed while we went to the movie. However, I felt my prayers were being answered as I started contracting during church! We were all so excited! They weren't strong or painful, but they were consistent! Mom and I decided that it was best that we forgo the movie and get home to make final preparations before (hopefully) heading to the hospital.

We called our neighbors on the way home to see if the kids could stay the night with them. They were so wonderful to welcome the kids into their home (which the kids thought was totally fun! Sleepover!!!) at the drop of a hat! I took one final picture with the kids before I went inside to figure out our next steps.

We decided to try to go to bed and get a little rest until the stronger labor set in. I woke every couple hours with a contraction, but otherwise they weren't strong enough to keep me awake. Imagine my disappointment when I woke at 7am and I was STILL at home! UGH!

I decided to take a quick shower and freshen up. Before I could even blow my hair dry I was in full blown labor!

We labored at home for a couple hours. Mom and David were so supportive and did whatever I needed them to do while I was in pain. At about 930am, my nurse, (otherwise known as my mom) checked me to see how things had progressed. She didn't even tell me how dilated I was before she hollered for David and told him she thought it was time to go. We all hopped in the car and drove to the hospital. In less than one hour, I progressed from 6cm to fully dilated and gave birth to our sweet little man, Isaac.

It was such an amazing birth experience. I couldn't help but think about how perfect God's timing was. I didn't have to be induced. My mom was able to be at the birth. And on top of that, my mom was able to focus on Ian and Isabelle for the first week of her visit and make sure that she got some great time with each of them. She also did a pretty good job of keeping me busy so that I didn't go crazy waiting for the baby to come. It was also amazing that there was no question about David being able to be here for it. We didn't have to worry about any ship schedule or crazy shift work. Being that I went into labor on the weekend and he didn't have duty, he was there from beginning to end.

I am so thankful to be home with my precious family and figuring out this new life! I am so thankful to my hubby who has been amazingly supportive and helpful in this transition. I am also so thankful to my mom for being here for the whole process! I am so glad you didn't miss this one! I am thankful for such an awesome hospital experience, delivery and most of all for this sweet little man that has changed our lives forever! I am so in love!