Our Sweet Little Chloe is Here

Well, we checked into the hospital on October 13th anxious about the arrival of our little girl, Chloe.  Little did we know that we would be holding our sweet little angel in our arms by 2:15.  Chloe weighed in at 7 lbs, 1.4 oz and was 20 in. long. 

It all began as we got checked into the maternity ward...I was to be there at 7:30, but I was a little late!  Yeah, I know, I didn't even have Paige with me and I still couldn't manage to be on time!  However, it was because of a slight mistake I made by trying to check in at the registration desk (which was SUPER slow) when all I needed to do was go up to Labor and Delivery!  Oops!

Well, we got checked in and met our nurse, Chelsea Smith!  She had a whole list of questions for me (some of those really are ridiculous) and then got my IV in and going with the pitocin.  Oh, I really didn't want this!  However, I did want to me my baby girl and it seemed she wasn't coming on her own. I just hoped the evil contractions that would be intensified with the 'pit' were a little less brutal than the ones I had with Paige (no coupling please!).

After several hours on the pit, I wasn't making much progress and I told my nurse, Chelsea, that I did the same thing with Paige until the doctor broke my water.  After which, I progressed very quickly and had Paige three hours later.  So, Chelsea told Dr. Dodson this and she said she would be over at noon to break my water.Dr. Dodson came in and broke my water and then...hello active labor!  Talk about going from slightly irritating contractions to 'the most pain you could imagine.' 

Shortly after breaking my water, Paige and the family arrived to visit me.  I was in a lot of pain and asked them not to stay long.  I had a couple pretty strong contractions with her in the room, but I didn't want her to know I was in pain, so I tried to fight my way through them with a smile!  It was so hard...we even took a photo! I was really sad that Paige's eyes were closed, but I just couldn't take another one...this was the last photo of our family of three. :)

After Paige left, I asked for my epidural and they said it wouldn't be long.  I think I got it around 1:00 or so, and I was so happy when I felt those contractions start to dull.  It wasn't long before I was pain free, but then I began to feel sort of nauseous.  I asked the anesthesiologist about it and he said that it happens sometimes and it is usually an indicator that your body is progressing fast.  He then told Chelsea that she better hurry up and get everything ready just in case!

Well, I don't remember what time it was, but I know that Chelsea went to eat her lunch and wasn't gone long (maybe 20 minutes) when I called to tell her that I was feeling a lot of pressure.  I felt bad that I called her back in so soon, but I did try to wait so she could finish her lunch (she was chewing her last bite when she came in) :)  Chelsea checked me and then said, "You are ready to have this baby!"  I said, "Really?" and she said, "Yes, I am going to go call Dr. Dodson."  Then I asked, "But don't I have to push a little before she comes?" and Chelsea said, "No, the baby is ready!" 

I am pretty sure that Dr. Dodson ran over to my hospital room, because she was there in like 5 mins. or something like that!  I said, "Wow, you are fast!" and Dr. Dodson said, "Well, when Chelsea tells be to run, I know she is serious!"  At this point, I am just laying in the bed in total disbelief that 3 hours ago nothing was happening and now my baby girl is about to emerge into the world at any minute, show her beautiful face, and change our lives forever. 

Well, the pushing commenced and it didn't take long.  If you have never had a baby, a laboring mother pushes three times during a contraction.  I only had to push through two contractions and then we met Chloe.  I did have the help of a mirror during the second contraction and I think it really helped a lot.

Delivery of a baby is not easy, but this one was a piece of cake compared to the first one, and so worth the reward!  

Meeting Chloe...our very first photo together!

She has healthy lungs!

Getting her umbilical cord taken care of by Dr. Dodson.

Getting weighed...she is just the perfect size!

I think she looks so beautiful in this photo!

Cute feet with some long toes!

So happy and BLESSED to have another baby girl!



Daddy, putting on Chloe's first t-shirt.



Big sister, Paige, meeting Chloe!

The three girls of the family!

Our first photo of our amazing family of four!

Getting examined my Dr. Emslander...

just a little over four hours old. :)

Showing her off to the family!

All swaddled up!

 Here is the cake that Paige and Grandma Loethen made for Chloe's birthday.  Paige came up with this idea all by herself...she is so sweet and thoughtful! (Plus, she really loves making cakes!)

 Opening up her big sister gift from Mommy, Daddy, and Chloe!