(*photos taken by: Allison Fowler...AllisonFowler@blogspot.com)
Gracen Michelle Bach was born on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 weighing 8 lbs and 10 oz at 11:18am!!! And was 20 1/2 inches tall!! (even though the hospital originally measured her at 18 1/2 inches...it was 2 days later at her doc's appt that they re measured her at 20 1/2 inches...lol)
The Labor Story:
Well it all started on Monday night...Michelle, Crystal, JB and I just finished watching an episode of the "Hills" when I started feeling some contractions..However, in the past week I had a few close calls where I thought I was going into labor only for the contractions to go away...So in the back of my head, I thought to myself, "these are probably just Braxtin Hicks contractions and too will go away...So once they got to 5 minutes apart, I did call my doctor and she told me to wait until they become a little stronger...So John and I went upstairs to go lay down, when I felt a VERY strong contraction...I immediately told John to get ready, b/c we were going to the hospital~!! :) (by the way, in the interim, I took a shower, and got ready! :) (had to shampoo my hair and look good for pics.. LOL)
So we were off- bags packed and ready to see this beautiful baby already! When we got to the hospital- they gave me a room (a big beautiful room) and they checked me out and told me that I was already 4 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced. (Yes- my pains were the real thing, not just me hoping for it!)
Then, they asked me if I was ready for the epidural...and I had decided a head of time that I was going to try to go as long as possible w/out one...however, they told me that if I wanted to get one, that I needed to make up my mind soon or I would not be able to have one once I got too far along...So, I went with my gut- and said "look, why not ENJOY every minute of this labor and get some relief" so I went for it... and it was the BEST decision for me...(at least, I think so) The anesthesiologist was AMAZING and put in the epidural with hardly any pain...The IV hurt twice as bad. So once that was done- it was SMOOTH sailing from there on out. I immediately smiled the next few hours all the way until Gracen came into this world at 11:18am! :) John got some sleep through out the night and I just talked to my nurse about babies! :)
Well, I was 10 centimeters by morning but the midwife had 4 other labors going at the same time so I was put on the back burner for a bit until she was ready to come in and help me bring Gracen into this world. I started pushing at a quarter to 11 am and by 11:18...baby GRACEN was here!! :) I would sit here and try to describe what it felt like when she came out and let her first cry out as they placed here "skin to skin" on me...but there are NO WORDS to describe that feeling. Priceless- Speechless- Perfection.
She was absolutely beautiful and had the most precious full head of hair!! Then seeing John hold her for the first time was the BEST feeling. You could see it all over his face...He was already in love.
Oh- and little Mishey sneaked in at the very last minute and John and I decided that she too could stay in the room for delivery... :) I would not have changed ONE thing about this precious, beautiful, December morning. What a perfect day. :) :) :)
The first photo is as fresh as it gets!! Just seconds after she was born.
2nd: Me getting Gracen back after she was bathed...beautiful baby hair!
3rd: John holding Gracee for the first time!
4th: Mishey coming in before I was ready to push...Lucky little Stinker! (how could I tell her no to staying in the room....and I'm SO GLAD SHE STAYED :) ) just remember Mishey, I get to stay in the room with you too!
Ok- I'm done writing for now- I'll write more later...
Just know...that... I AM IN LOVE!!!! with my baby Girl! :) (and even more in love with my husband- the most supportive, loving, caring, patient man I know!)
kisses- Mommma Diane :)
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