I've been meaning to sit down and write Anistyn's birth story for a week now, but lets just say I'm a little busy! Feel free to skip this SUPER LONG post, if you don't want every. single. detail! :)
Friday, November 10th, I had a doctor's appointment at 10am. My mom and Jeff were planning on coming over to watch the kids and take them to the kids' museum since it had been hard for me to get out of the house and we were all going a little stir crazy being cooped up inside! About 20 minutes before my mom got here she called and said that my sister, Lily, had forgotten a paper that needed to be turned in for a class, on the kitchen table. She needed to have it by noon-ish. Knowing that there's no way she'd be home by then, my mom offered to take all three kids back to Kalamazoo with her so she could get Lily her paper in time and we'd meet up later that evening to get them back.
I got to my doctor's appointment, was checked (was 1 cm dilated), had a non-stress test, and was sent on my way. We had discussed if I hadn't had the baby by Monday she'd set up induction for Thursday evening. I was praying that wouldn't happen! During my NST I was having contractions about every 6-7 minutes, but it didn't mean much to me because I had been having regular contractions for days. I just knew they weren't painful enough or close enough together to go to the hospital yet. Because I was kid-free the WHOLE DAY (which hasn't happened in years...seriously) I met Ty at Gus's, a local food place which is next to his office, for lunch. Just the two of us!
NST
After lunch, I literally went straight home and crashed on the couch. I watched tv and did NOTHING...it was awesome! By mid afternoon I was starting to get annoyed with the contractions. They didn't necessarily hurt at first, they were just uncomfortable, and by the time Ty got home from work at 4 they definitely because stronger. I was planning on meeting up with my mom to get the kids after dinner, but I called her and asked if she could keep them overnight because I felt like I could be going into labor that night. If I didn't we'd pick them up in the morning.
About 8 pm, I knew things were progressing and the contractions, although not getting closer together, were painful. I laid on the couch and just waited. Finally at about 10:30 I hopped in the shower and told Ty to get our bags packed (oops! should probably have had that done...that's what happens with the 4th kid) and off to the hospital we went. I got there at about 11:30pm and was admitted right away. When we got to the hospital I was 3-4 cm dilated.
Last preggo picture!
I learned my lesson FINALLY and this time I got an epidural right away. By 1am I had my epidural and was feeling great. I was positive for the Group Strep B so they got the antibiotics started right away. Ty and I were both tired, but I couldn't sleep. I was excited and anxious and people kept coming in my room so I didn't sleep. However, I let Ty sleep until about 6 am. Little did he know the doctor had come in my room around 5:30am and broken my water so thing were picking up. Tena, the nurse I had, was GREAT! When the doctor broke my water she said I made like 4 times the amount of fluid than the average (is that why I was so big?! I guess so!) I woke Ty up and told him I was starting to feel pressure and I thought if he wanted to take any pictures or wake up a bit he should get up. I called the nurse in at 6:30 and told her I felt pressure. She called the doctor in. We discussed, through contractions, how long I pushed with the other kids (E was the least amount of time at 45 minutes) and I hoped I didn't have to push that long. Also, all the docs and nurses were changing shifts at 7am so I wanted to have her before I had to get all new people. I had one contraction and pushed once when Ty looked at me he said "Yeah...it's definitely not going to take 45 minutes". I pushed twice more during that contraction and Anistyn was born at 6:53 am! It was crazy fast and such a rush. I was THRILLED to finally be holding my sweet girl in my arms. What an amazing thing giving birth is!
Right before I delivered, the docs and nurses were guessing how big she was going to be and not one of them guessed under 9 pounds. They knew my history with having big babies. As soon as Anistyn was delivered, Dr. Werkema said "this is definitely isn't a 9 lb. baby". I looked at Ty and said she looked like a 5 pound baby (compared to how chubby Emmersyn was!), he said more like 8ish. I nursed her and held her on my chest for a good hour until they took her to weigh her, bathe her and do all the necessary things they do. They gave her back to me and said she weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19.5 inches. I couldn't believe what a peanut she was! I was so glad...they grow too quickly, especially when they start out at 10 lbs. We named her Anistyn Grace. Just two names we both liked, but don't necessarily have any significance.
After I delivered her I couldn't feel my legs, or anything below my waist actually. I was so glad...I didn't have any pain after delivery. It was weird because I literally couldn't move my lower half. The nurse would be lifting my legs, which I could see, but I couldn't feel her lifting them. It was a really creepy and weird feeling, but I didn't care because it also meant I couldn't feel the pain. For 15 hours after my epidural I couldn't feel my lower half; I couldn't move or walk or get up. They had to take me to the recovery floor by stretcher because of it. At about 6 pm I finally could somewhat feel my legs and got up for the first time.
I seriously cannot believe how easy the recovery has been this time around. I haven't had any pain (other than my back, from the epidural, and hips) and I feel great. I was up and walking and moving fairly normally within 24 hours. In fact, Anistyn and I were doing so well they let us go home a day early. It's been so easy that I didn't even need to fill my pain medication prescriptions. I am so thankful for an easy recovery, especially with 3 others who would be home with us shortly.
Speaking of the other 3 kids, my mom still had the girls and on Sunday (the day after I had Anistyn) she had taken Lincoln to stay with my sister in St. Joe so he could play with Micah. The plan was the girls would come home on Monday and my sister was going to come up on Wednesday to bring Lincoln home and see Anistyn. However, Monday late afternoon Kasey called and said Lincoln had been screaming because his ear hurt and he was running and fever and fell asleep by 5pm. I knew he must have been sick, so Ty met Corey and picked Lincoln up and brought him home. Nothing like getting back into the swing of things right away. Anistyn had a well check on Tuesday morning to check her weight, so I figured I might as well take Lincoln in too. Anistyn was down to 7 lbs. 5 oz. but that was very normal. She looked great and is a healthy baby, which we are so thankful for! Lincoln was diagnosed with a bad sinus infection. I've never had one, but have heard they can be very painful. We got him on antibiotics and he's feeling much better already.
It's so great to have us all home and under one roof! The kids have really taken to Anistyn and although it's been a bit crazy at times, I am thankful for how much they love her. She's constantly getting woken up to be held because Emmersyn is trying to shove a nipper in her mouth, but she's fairly patient with all the poking and prodding.
Today, she is 9 days old and last night she already slept through the night. I fed her at 9:30pm and woke her up at 7am to eat (I NEEDED her to eat...). I couldn't believe she slept that whole time. Although, I know not to get used to it because it probably won't happen again for a LONG time! She's such a good baby and she already feels like she's been apart of this family forever. I absolutely LOVE having a newborn again and have take full advantage of letting Ty take over with the older 3 and cuddling with my newborn! What a precious gift from God she is, for that we are so thankful!
