10 on Tuesday - Labor and Delivery Edition

1. FYI: Having a baby over spring break/Easter weekend= bad time for everyone. This led to my Dr. suggesting induction at my last two appointments. He was going to be gone over Easter weekend and wanted to be there for the delivery.

2. For some reason (I blame the hormones) the thought of induction left me in a slightly hysterical state and I spent much of Monday and Tuesday crying and worrying while I frantically cleaned.

3. Tuesday morning, Lucy called and talked me out of my totally crazy state. I hung up from our conversation feeling almost calm. Especially when I remembered running into Lucy in California one November evening as I was walking around the block trying to get my labor moving for Annabel. I also remember spending the evening with Lucy in Maryland 3 years ago and having a huge contraction that was the beginning of my labor with Ben. Lucy is a sign that a baby is coming.

4. After hanging up with Lucy, I called Jennifer and talked over the pros and cons with her. I realized there were lots of positives about being induced. Then I called the hospital and Joe and made arrangements to be induced that evening. I packed up the kids things and took them to Jennifer's house for Becca's birthday party, then I left the kids there, picked up Joe and headed to the hospital.

5. In no time, I was hooked up to pitocin, watching TV with Joe. The labor was excruciatingly slow until I finally got an epidural at 2:00 am and my water broke shortly after. Then by 5:00 am, I was completely dilated and we just had to wait for the Dr. to arrive.


6. The most annoying part for me was definitely the epidural. I only had one for 20 minutes with Rachel and I didn't get one with Ben, so I found it very disconcerting to not feel my legs for 3 hours. Anyone else feel that way?

7. The best surprise was when the Dr. said "I see a head full of dark hair!" Joe and I looked at each other in total shock and said, "Really?!?!" Anyone that has seen our babies knows they are bald for a long time! We were thrilled to have a little girl with hair!


8. Everyone asks if I was surprised it was a girl. I was, but I wasn't. I thought it was a girl (I had a dream about a girl, and the pregnancy reminded me a lot of my pregnancy with Annie) but I didn't know for sure, so it was a surprise when he announced it. Samantha is a name I've loved for a long time, but I did let Joe have a vote :) Sharron is Joe's mom's name and I think it is lovely.
9. Unfortunately, the ordeal of being born has proven quite taxing for baby Sam, and she has spent most of her week with us asleep, much to her older siblings dismay. They had great visions of playtime with the baby that just haven't happened.


10. QOTD: Annie: (as Samantha sleeps on the floor while they play make believe) I guess she can just be the dead witch.

Thanks so much for all your well wishes and to Jennifer. It is debatable which is tougher, 8 hours of labor, or two days with 7 kids under the age of 9. We couldn't have done it without her and my mom. The reason I am able to post tonight, my angel mother is here to help for the week. She has been wonderful! I can't make any promises for next week:)