Well, the wait is finally over and we have a little girl!
Hannah Elizabeth Brady was born on December 4, 2007 at 10:21pm. She weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs 9 0z and was 21 1/2 inches long! We couldn't have been more excited to receive this little angel. We are truly blessed.
So how was labor? Not that bad actually. I went into labor at 11am in that morning at the dr's office. Well, my water broke at the dr's office, but we didn't know it....So we went to Portillo's for lunch! After we got home I felt like I was "leaking" a little bit, so I called the dr. She told me I should go to triage to get checked out and sure enough - my water had broken and labor was in full swing! Yes, the contractions hurt like a bitch. I'm not gonna lie, there are moments where you just have to focus and breathe - just like in the movies. BUT, then there is the epidural! And the angels sang, "Hallelujah"! Okay, so the epidural definitely hurt a little to get, but the contractions hurt more. I got mine when I was 4 cm dilated. That was about 7pm. Three hours later, I felt an overwhelming urge to push and it kind of felt something was trying to crawl out of me. That would be Hannah. The nurse checked me at 10pm and I was 10 cm + 2! That's right, 12 cm - who knew that was even possible?! By 10:21pm we had Hannah!! Yes, only 21 minutes of pushing. I'm a champ.
So then it was off to our hospital room. Kudos to Northwestern and the new Prentice Women's Hospital - its awesome! The nurses are amazing, the facilities are beautiful, the food was fabulous - it was a great experience. My mom and dad came the next day from Atlanta to meet their new granddaughter. They were beyond excited. Sean's parents came down the next day as well. Everyone agreed, Hannah is an angel.
Thursday night we were released to go home. I had her on Tuesday and we were home on Thursday. I'm not going to lie - I would give birth 10 times over than have to live through the first two weeks again. One word - brutal. I have never experienced sleep deprivation of this kind ever before. Everyone tells you about it, but until you experience the feedings every 2 hours all day and night, you don't have a clue. Especially if your little one drinks straight from the tap, then you have to be on deck for all feedings. Oh and then there is the whole, I just gave birth so I'm sore, still healing, hormonal - its awesome. Thank God my mom was here with us for those 2 weeks. I don't know what we would have done without her. Thanks, Brenda!
Now Hannah is almost 6 weeks old - 5 weeks and 5 days to be exact and she is amazing! She is now 23 inches long and weighs 10 lbs 10 oz. She is in the 90th percentile for height and 75th for weight. She's a tall one already! Sean and I couldn't be more proud, blessed, happy, or excited to call her our daughter! And yes, if you are wondering, it does get better. She sleeps at night for the most part and I feel 1000 times better too. I have my 6 week check up on Tuesday - Sean is very excited....
So here are some things I have learned along this journey:
1.) You really have to love your husband and have a strong relationship, sometimes this journey was a test. Luckily, we passed. :)
2.) I never thought I would be excited to see poop. Its a very exciting moment in our house when that appears.
3.) Breast feeding is amazing. However, if they tell you it doesn't hurt in the very beginning - they lie.
4.) Babies come with a lot of stuff, I just wish they came with an instruction manual.
5.) Epidurals and anesthesiologists came from Heaven.
6.) Your shoes will fit again, it just might take a few weeks.
7.) Always, always take the stool softener.
8.) Its the best thing you will ever do.
