After having a relatively easy pregnancy, the last few weeks started dragging on and on and on. I had no idea how uncomfortable carrying around a watermelon under your shirt could be. We were hoping for Sophie to have a Fourth of July birthday, Andy wanted to repopulate from the inside. However, as we have come to learn, Miss Sophia had her own time table.
Luckily, I was given the day off because my boss was out of town, so I was able to spend the day catching up on some things. After lunch with Dad I started cramping, nothing too serious though. I decided to just go home and take it easy for awhile. My biggest worry during my whole pregnancy was that Andy was going to be out of town when I went into labor. Thank the Lord that this week he was actually in KC. When I got home from running errands, he was actually on his way to appointments at Menorah Hospital and suggested that I go with him just in case. Of course I thought this was ridiculous because I was not in labor. Well he went and made it back home, but I was still in discomfort. Again, nothing to serious but it was starting to get annoying. Finally, there was a knock at the door and when I got up to get it, it happened. Either I had just peed my pants (which would actually not be that surprising) or my water had just broken. Of course this was unknown to my poor neighbor who was at the door. I of course had to excuse myself has I went upstairs to get Andy. Here is the amazing part, after I told him what had just happened we were both extremely calm. No screaming, no running around like chickens with our heads cut off, nothing.
So there I sat on the toilet (because I was still leaking, seriously why does no one tell you these things) while my darling husband went and talked to our neighbor and the proceeded to get things together for us to leave. Here we are finally walking out the door.
So off we went to Menorah Hospital, but not without some stops along the way. For some strange reason I was craving a cherry limeade and seeing as we were in no hurry we made a pit stop at Sonic. Seriously, it was the best drink I had ever had (but I would regret this later). Next we had to make a stop at Paddy's and it wasn't so Andy could have a beer, although he did ask. My Dad was not answering his phone and where else would he be on a Thursday evening. I wish I could have seen his face when Andy went in to tell him the news (I guess he fell off his chair). We finally arrived at Menorah at 6:00pm.
After we were settled our nurse Rhonda came in to make sure I was actually in labor. Of course I was in labor, right? I guess it is quite common for people to come in and think they are in labor when they are not. So has Rhonda was testing that my water had actually broke I had a mild panic attack that maybe I had really just peed my pants. Of course by this time I had texted everyone that I knew and I would hate to send that follow up text. Luckily for me I did not have to do the "walk of shame" as Rhonda put. How far have we come that this is what a walk of shame means to us now, far different from the college definition that I once had.
Since I wasn't in much pain they told me to start walking around to get things moving. At this point I was only dilated to a four and they wouldn't give me any drugs till I reached a five. For the normal first time mom this takes awhile. After about 30 minutes walking around the extremely boring halls I was in the tremendous pain, of course it was about to get much worse. They wanted to check me again to see how I was progressing and guess what I was at a 6!! For those of you who have never been through the wonderful labor process, you need to get to a 10 for the baby to come out. At this time I was begging for some drugs, I didn't think I was going to make it. I tried everything to ease the pain, the birth ball, standing, sitting, trying to kill Andy with my death grip, but nothing worked. I needed drugs. Why anyone would forgo this is beyond me? This was also the point that I regreted the Sonic stop because everything came back up.
Finally after what seemed like an eternity (in actuality it was only a few hours) the anesthesiologist finally arrived. Unfortunately, like most over priced doctors, he was extremely arrogant and was taking his own sweet time. By the time he finally stuck me I was already dilated to a 9 and really could go any time. Luckily I had the most wonderful nurse in the world, Rhonda, helping me through every contraction. She was my saving grace and I truly believe that I could not have done it without her. This was the absolute worse pain I have ever felt, but looking back on it now I can't really remember how bad it was. I guess this is how God planned for you to have more than one child.
After the drugs finally set in I was in heaven. Since pompous doctor took his sweet time getting to me he decided to pump me full of drugs so they would take effect before I gave birth. Well he gave me so much that I could feel absolutely nothing from my waist down. Rhonda came in at about 11:00pm to check me again and this time she wasn't able to see how dilated I was because all she could feel was little Sophie's head. So my family and my dear friends Ally and Stacy were sent out of the room and it was time to push. My doctor was of course out of town for the weekend so a different doctor was delivering me. I don't want to speak ill of him because he does practice with my current doctor, but let’s just say he wouldn't be my first choice.
The actual pushing part was remarkably calm. You watch all these movies and you expect the screaming and the craziness of it all, but there was none of that. Between pushes we discussed the new Sonic going in and the movie The Hang Over. Everyone agreed that it was a great movie. Finally after 30 minutes of pushing she came. Now everyone has different stories for when they first see their child, lucky my mom warned me that I might not feel immediately attached to her. I share this with everyone just in case you have the same experience. Don't get me wrong, it was amazing to hold her for the first time. I just didn't get the lightning bolt of attachment and feelings. Now Andy on the other hand was in love at first sight. I have never seen him so emotional. This whole experience has made me fall in love with him all over again.
Here is our little bundle right after she was born. Seriously, all babies are ugly (I don't care what anyone says). I was actually considering changing her name to Frank because she looked like a wrinkly old man, but that was my little old man so I can say things like this.
My darling Sophia Lorne Michael was born at 11:45pm on July 2nd weighing 8lbs 6oz and was 20 inches long. My life is forever changed!
