Because I started this blog when Raylee was 6 months old, I never got a chance to write down they story of how she was born. Seeing as it was two years ago today that I went into labor w/ her, it is fresh on my mind. At the time it was such an overwhelming feeling, and even two years & another sweet baby later, it is still a little surreal.
If you're not interested in reading that, check back tomorrow for Raylee's Birthday post & here is the link to the post about Raylee last year, on her 1st Birthday!
The story of Raylee's birth starts the day before she was born on February 19,2010. Paul was laying floors at the time, and he was in Louisiana doing a job where he did not get cellphone reception. It was a Friday, and he was finishing up the job then heading home for the weekend.
I was 39w4d pregnant w/ Raylee that Friday. Everything was ready for her arrival, we were just in waiting mode. I thought I would take a shower and get ready, because this big momma wanted some Chili's! About 4pm after I had taken a shower, and was watching Oprah I started to feel some tightening in my stomach. It didn't really hurt but it was noticeable. I decided to write down the times. The next few times I felt it were about 11 min. apart, but that was consistent in my book. Since Paul was unavailable for a few more hours, of course I called my Mom. She told me to keep timing them & keep her informed. By the time Paul got home the contractions were 8-10 min. apart. After telling him this, he didn't think that Chili's was such a great idea, but I reassured him that I was fine. Before we left I lost my mucus plug. Maybe this was it!? There was about a 20 min. wait at Chili's, and as we sat waiting for a table I could feel the pressure of my contractions increase. By the time we got to the table, and got our food ordered, I had Paul writing down my contractions, which were now 3-5 min. apart. We got out of Chili's pretty quickly, and headed home. Something told me we would be back in Beaumont that night.
When we got home, I started trying to relax. The contractions were getting stronger, but I really didn't want to go to the hospital to be sent home. After getting some advice from my Auntie Susan & Mom, I tried to lay down for 30 min. & sip some water. I made it about 20 min., with Paul packing the car the whole time, and at about 9:30 I knew it was time to go. The ride to the hospital was long, and once we got there they told me I was dilated to 2cm, and needed to be at a 4cm in 2 hours, or I would need to go home. That was all the motivation I needed. Paul & I made a few laps around labor & delivery before I could tell the contractions were getting stronger. The nurse came in and sure enough I was 4-5cm, and would not be going anywhere.
After we knew it was really go time, our family started showing up. I was informed it was past midnight, so we knew Raylee's birthday would be 02/20/10. By this time my contractions were very strong & frequent. I quickly dilated all the way, and was beginning to feel urges to push.
My sister showed up from Austin shortly after that, which made me feel much better. After the nurses finished getting everything set up, I was ready to have this baby. There was only one problem. The doctor was not at the hospital yet! As I tried to stay calm, the nurses tried to distract me with questions on paperwork I had not had time to fill out yet. I knew it was almost time.
About then I heard one of the nurses say "He's here!" Then I took some deep breaths, and knew it was going to be ok. I could here my family outside pointing him in the direction of our room. Once he came in, things moved fast. He broke my water, and 2 pushes later, at 1:19 am, Raylee was here! I saw a glimpse of her before they whisked her away to get cleaned up. She looked healthy & beautiful.
While I was getting fixed up, Paul got to hold her & showed her to my Mom, before she got to meet her hallway full of admirers. Finally, he put her in my arms, and I got to see my beautiful baby. It all seemed to happen so fast that I was having trouble processing that this was my baby.
They took her to the nursery for a few hours, while we got moved to our room, and everyone headed home. As Paul & I lay there, in the early hours of the morning, we could not believe the events that had just happened. I laid down for a few hours trying to get some rest, but the adrenaline would not let that happen. My mind kept replaying the events over & over, remembering something new each time. Finally, I dozed off for about an hour, and woke up to them wheeling in Raylee. :)
She had a bath, was really calm, and had a little purple bow in her hair. Looking at her, I felt a tidal wave of love. Everything clicked. She was here! I looked at her all over. Her long fingers, and toes. Her ears, and little nose. She was perfect. She ate for the 1st time, and then her Daddy & I changed our 1st dirty diaper. That was an experience.
About 8 hours old.
We had visitors on and off Sat. & Sun., and by Sunday afternoon it was time for us to go home. The ride home was nerve racking, and then a few miles from our house the song "Remember When," by Alan Jackson came on the radio, and I lost it. "Remember when, old ones died, and new were born. And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged." I had mascara running all the way down my neck. Looking back the post baby hormone swing was in full effect.
6 days Old.
Needless to say, having Raylee was life changing. Taking care of her little self was intimidating at first, and I spent a lot of my time second guessing myself. To be honest, I still do that. Anyways, Raylee will be TWO tomorrow, and I love her more than I ever thought possible. Her birth was an exciting start to her life, and I'm glad to get to get to be along for the ride! I love you Raylee Michelle!
