Well, week 39, to our surprise Little Ashlyn was born. It was Thursday, September 10th, at 3:30 am I started having my first contractions. They were coming about 5 minutes apart. I thought, okay, this is the day. So at 8:30 the next morning we went into the clinic and had the doctor check to see how far along I was. I was dilated only 1 cm., and I was thin and she had dropped some. Dr. Lovell said to go and walk around a for a while and then go to the hospital. So Gabe, my mom and I went to Smith park, which is right by the hospital, and walked around for a couple of hours. Lisa, Jackie and the boys had joined us later. Then we went home for some lunch, and then went back and walked for a couple more hours. Then around 2:30 my contractions were getting stronger so I decided that I was ready to go to the hospital. We went straight up there and checked in. They put me in the exam room and the nurse came in and checked me. I had dilated to a woppin’ 1.5 cm after about 6 hours, and I was 90% effaced, and the baby was really low. But, to my dissappointment, they sent me home because they thought I would be more comfortable at home. Well, I started to cry. I was so tired, I was in pain from having consistant contractions for the last 11 hours, and going home only meant that I would have to suffer through more contractions until I could get that blessed epidural!!! Don’t get me wrong, she was worth it, but I was tired. So we went home and I tried to rest but contractions woke me up every 5 minutes. Then around 10 I went to bed and tried to sleep but I couldn’t, so I paced our little apartment, trying to decide when it was the right time to go into the hospital. It kind of shoots your confidence down when you get sent home. You wonder how bad the pain has to be to be emitted in. Then about 12:00 I couldn’t handle it anymore, so Gabe and I took a walk around our complex, and when we got back, I had had enough and decided it was time. I was in so much pain and I was ready for the peace and serenity that the epidural had to offer:)
So we arrived at the hospital around 12:45. The nurse checked me and I was dilated to a 3 1/2. So the nurse stretched me and called it in for me to get the Epidural!!!! I was so relieved. I honestly think that the epidural is God’s gift to women. I was so relaxed and able to sleep until about 7:30 when Dr. Meridith came in and broke my water. That was an interesting experience, and a pride stripping one at that! Then Gabe and I just slept until 11:30 came around, by that time I was dilated to a 10 and ready to go. There was 45 minutes of pushing and she was finally here.
In the hospital room there was of course Gabe, Grandma Jones, and Lisa. We stayed entertained by making bets on things like what she would weigh, how long she would be, her weight, and the color of her hair
Lisa: 1 hour 45 minutes of pushing. 20 in. 8 lbs 6oz.
Mom: 30 min. pusing. 19.5 in. 8 lbs 10 oz.
Gabe: 12 hours. 21 in. and 12 lbs. OUCH! There wouldn't be any brothers or sisters if this was the case.
Me: 45 minutes pushing. 19 in. long. 8 lbs. 5 oz.
That made it kind of fun while we were waiting. But when she actually came it was the most amazing experience of our lives. We both had tears in our eyes, but I was crying because I was so overcome by how much love I had for this little girl. Then they put her in my arms immediately as they were cleaning her off. She was absolutely beautiful. She had a little cone head and of course her face was a little swollen, but that was normal. She had perfect skin. It wasn’t blotchy or red, but it was smooth, clear and beautiful.
Each day she gets more and more beautiful and kissable and loveable. I can't seem to get enough of her. It was so sweet because when we were at the hospital I would wake up and I would see Gabe just watching her sleep. He loves little Ashlyn so much, and it makes me excited to start our lives with her, raising her and watching her grow together. We are so happy and excited that she is finally here.
Her birthday is 9/11/09. She was 19 in. long, 7 lbs. 3 oz. She has beautiful black hair, and she is thee most beautiful sweet baby girl.
