Grace Rebecca VanderLouw was born.
It seemed like we had waited forever for her to get here. I spontaneously went into labor the day before her due date. I started feeling contractions at around 12:30 am on a Friday morning, not at all painful, but regular contractions. I hadn't had any braxton hicks contractions up to this point, but I was pretty sure that's what they were. I woke Ray up and we were just too excited to go back to sleep. We got up at 2 in the morning and took Max for a walk around the neighborhood. We just let him run free because no one was out.
When we got back Ray insisted on calling my mom, she had to drive 3 hours from Pocatello to Boise. I wanted to wait because my contractions weren't at all painful, they were 10-15 minutes apart and what if I wasn't really in labor? Ray called anyway and my mom immediately left. She got to Boise and took a nap ;) After we talked to my mom we waited at home for a while, then went for another walk around 6 am. On our way back home we stopped by my sister, Dana's, apartment and told her that we thought I was in labor.
Ray and I both called in to work and I called the doctor. I went in around 11:00 and they hooked me up to a monitor to check my contractions. They came to the conclusion that I was definitely in labor and I would most likely have her some time that weekend. So we went out to lunch and went to the mall to walk around. We just hung out for the rest of the day. The contractions were slowly getting stronger and closer, but they definitely took their time. We decided to go to the hospital at around 9 pm when they started getting more painful.
We got checked in, I told them I wanted to try and go natural (haha). I wasn't dilated much, 3 cm I think, but my contractions were regular and I was completely effaced. While we were in the check in area they wanted us to walk around a bit and try to see if I could get dilated further. I started getting really scared by how painful my contractions were so we snuck into an empty room where Ray and Jason (Dana's fiance at the time) gave me a priesthood blessing. I don't remember what they said, but I was comforted and the fear went away. We finally got checked into a room and the fun began. My contractions were getting stronger and stronger. The nurse told me that Grace was faced the wrong way so I was having back labor (OUCH).
I was getting really tired at this point. I had said all along that I only wanted Ray and my mom in the room. My little sister Dana really wanted to be there, but I, for some reason I can't really remember, said no. Well, during all my pain and anguish Ray asked me if Dana could come in. I honestly could've cared less at that point, so in she came ;) Sometime during this time my water broke. The contractions became even more painful. We finally decided to try the bath at around 3 in the morning. When just Ray and I were in the bathroom I broke down and told him that I couldn't do it anymore, that I wanted an epidural. I kept saying I was sorry (why?? I don't know). Ray was so amazing during the whole thing and he said he just wanted me to be out of pain. I was dilated about 8 cm at this point. So we told them I wanted the epidural and it took 45 minutes to get it because they had to do blood work first, blood work they didn't do when I checked in because I told them I wanted to try to do it naturally (word to the wise!). So I got my epidural-oh sweet relief!! Thank the heavens for modern medicine!! We all went to sleep for about an hour. The nurse came to check me at about 5 am and said I was fully dilated and ready to push!! So we began, and we pushed for 2 1/2 hours!! At 7:21 am (I think) on April 19, 2003-her actual due date, Grace was born. She came out with her umbilical chord wrapped around her neck twice. Luckily it was just really long and had never affected her breathing. She was 8 lbs 5 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long.
Grace had meconium in her amniotic fluid, so after she was born (before I could touch her) the NICU was there in the room and took her over to suction her all out. My mom always likes to point out that she was the first person to touch Grace while the NICU had her. She always describes her skin as warm, moist and silky soft :)
I just remember being so amazed and in awe at the miracle of childbirth. It is truly indescribable. Grace's birth made it crystal clear to me what I was put on this earth to do. I was so totally and completely changed by her birth, it is difficult to put in to words. Becoming a mother has been the biggest challenge and the biggest blessing of my life. It has caused me to examine every part of myself and has taught me what unconditional love is. Those little fingers wrapped around mine minutes after she was brought to this earth were like a vice grip on my heart that has only gotten tighter since. I love my babies so fiercely, with an intensity only a parent can understand. Grace has been such an amazing, undeserved blessing to us and we love her so, so, so much.
Now on to the par-tay!
On Grace's actual birthday we went to McDonald's (where else?) for dinner and Grace opened her present from her family. Which was a cupcake maker that I didn't get any pictures of because I forgot my camera (I'm lame). We had a huge party for Grace last year, so this year she got to invite 1 friend to the movie. Grace, Aria, Elliot and I went to see "How to Train Your Dragon" on Saturday. It was such a cute show. After the party we came home and had pizza, cake and ice cream with the rest of Aria's family. We had a great time! Aria got Grace a zuzu pet (sp?) which she has wanted for a really long time! Thanks Aria!!
Sweet birthday girl
The dress Grandma made for Grace-she and Maggie can be twinners ;)
The whole crew
PS-I seriously didn't plan it very well having 2 kids in Jan and 2 kids in April. It's hard keeping up with all these birthdays!!
