Charlotte's Birthday!!

Well we made it! 39.1 weeks and eviction day/ birthday/ happy happy day was here. I was set for induction at the hospital Monday morning.
 Sunday the dads and me and my husband went to a last lunch just the four of us. It was super exciting and nerve wracking all in one. We chatted and speculated about the next day all knowing that all of our lives would change forever in the next day. I went home and put the last minute things together for the hospital, double checked arrangements for the kids and school and did some last minute clean up. I had been spoiled by Alicia and received some amazing Perfectly Posh products (super nice bath, skin care, and lotions) So I spoiled myself with a nice long bath and used all the products leaving me feeling extra special and nice for such a special and important day ahead. I didn't think I was going to get much sleep but I really slept well. I have never had an induction scheduled so it was a bit weird to know that I would be delivering a baby in less than 24 hours. All mine before have been surprise timing so no need to anticipate the time of birth or what will happen at such a determined time.
Monday morning came and I was ready! I think Charlotte was ready too but just didn't show it. I woke up had a lite breakfast and my husband and I were off to the hospital! Here I was, ready for the hospital. Last picture of charlotte inside my belly!!


We got to the hospital right at 7 and we were in our room getting things going by 730. Things went pretty quick... here's our timeline of how things happened.

7:45am Iv was put in and pitocin started really low
8:00 ish Dr. came in and broke my water, found meconium fluid, (baby poop)
8:30 contractions really hurt and really wanting my epidural
9:00 Dads arrived while I got my epidural
9:15- 9:45 relief!!
9:45 I told the RN she needed to check me because I was sure Charlotte was making her way down an soon out. And I was right.
10:27 On a snowy morning, Charlotte Ava was born, 8 pounds 4 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long. All healthy!

The next few hours were pretty amazing. I had some time to snuggle Charlotte and enjoyed watching her dads hold her and just stare at her. We took turns admiring her and texting our family and friends about her speedy arrival. It was such a special time and so amazing to realize that she was really here! We ended up staying in tht hospital a little over 24 hours. Charlotte checked out healthy and I did too.

We continued to share time with her all throughout our stay. Some of the dads family came down from Salt Lake in the snowy weather to enjoy Charlotte's birthday. My family also came down and met Charlotte. It was a really special thing for me to be able to see. My kids were so proud of their mom and also of how they helped take care of me and Charlotte. They were so proud to hold her and see her in person instead of my tummy. My kids were so loving and so sweet to her. They had all brought down presents for Charlotte to enjoy as a birthday present, because according to them you can't have a birthday without presents. It again was such a sweet and innocent time, I loved it. They didn't stay long but they were super sweet with their time, checking out Charlotte and also making sure that mommy was ok.

Monday night was amazing. The dads did some of the feedings and then got some sleep and I was able to help and do other feedings. I had lots of snuggle time and really enjoyed our quiet time together. It was such a weird feeling. I was connected to her but not in the same way as I was with my kids. I held her and stared at her and really took in every minute with her. I didn't do as much of that with my kids because I knew I had all the time in the world to do that. With my kids I tried to sleep as much as possible and this time I put sleep aside so I could  enjoy her. It was such an amazing time that can never be recreated! I had expected myselft to be very emotional and teary but there was none of that. It was like a sense of peace and relaxation. I shed a tear or two of happiness that we had made it. I sat with her and thought about the precious two years that we had spent trying to make this time possible. It was such a feeling of accomplishment and success to have her in my arms.

Tuesday was full of people coming and going and sign this and fill out that and here let me teach you this. wow it was overwhelming for me and I didn't have to do anything. Everyone needed their two minutes with Charlotte. The doctors, nurses, social workers, test takers, etc. all needed to get her prepped and ready to head home. And at about 3 pm Charlotte, and her dads were packed up and loaded off into their car and headed home to Salt Lake City! As they drove away a sense of peace rushed over me knowing that we had completed our goal and a family was created in part due to us! But I also knew that this family will be a part of ours forever too!


***having trouble with pics but I will get them up asap!