Thursday, May 26th started out like a normal day for us...until I drove up to Colman to drop Boston & Brigham off for a sleepover! I was having contractions on the drive up, about every 10 minutes, but I tried not to think too much into it. We all got out of the car at Lacey's because we were excited to see the baby kittens! I got a few pictures of Bronx holding a little kitten and the next thing I knew my water broke while we were standing out on their deck! It caught me off guard, but I just kept my cool, told the boys goodbye, loaded Bronx up and we headed back to Sioux Falls..
safely, but quickly :) The boys were EXCITED!
safely, but quickly :) The boys were EXCITED!
This picture was taken at 4:11 PM
And this picture was taken at 4:14... after my water broke! My last picture as a mom to all boys!!! The boys were in just as much shock as I was about my water breaking. They weren't expecting me to drop them off to head to the hospital to have a baby!
Grandpa Ron met Derek & I at our house to take Bronx for the night & then Derek and I headed up to Avera. Thankfully I had gotten a bag packed up for the baby, and most of my stuff was in a pile and ready to go in a bag, so we didn't have to spend too much time at home. The contractions were still pretty regular but nothing painful. I was moving fast though because I knew her head was low, and with me dilated to a 3 almost a week ago, I knew it could go fast! We got checked into our room about 5:15. As we were walking up to the labor and delivery doors, I commented to Derek 'What are the odd's that Erica is working tonight?!' Erica was my labor and delivery nurse for Brigham & Bronx and she is just awesome! Sure enough, the first person I see through the window are Erica and Kari VanDonge! Erica was scheduled to be off at 7:00, but she got the ok to stay late to take care of me!
One more way that God showed us how he had this pregnancy & early labor all planned out so perfectly!
Erica and I
Glady got up to the delivery room by 6:00.
She was SO excited for this opportunity to watch a baby being born!
The kids being well taken care of while they wait to hear that their little sister is born!
Taken at 7:16 PM
Contractions were a little painful at this point, but not too terrible. Mostly just pain in my low back.
The other crazy thing about my water breaking at 37 weeks and 3 days...was that our good friends Justin & Dana Snyder were also at Avera with their new baby girl Londyn! She was born the 25th! I had planned to visit Dana on Friday morning after my appointment with Dr. Scott, but little Blayke had other plans! Derek and I took this selfie to send to Justin & Dana letting them know we'd be joining them on 4th floor after the baby arrived!
The guy doing the epidural was slow to get up to my room and slow to get the epidural in and started! My contractions were pretty regular and painful when he was working on me, so I just had a bad feeling about how it was going to work. I could feel my legs getting a little heavy, but that was about all. I dilated from a 6-7 to 9-10 so quick that I was feeling everything, and then the next minute it was time to deliver a baby. It was SO painful.. I remember feeling queezy and getting a barf bag and dry heaving a bit because the pain was so intense. Thankfully I didn't have to push too long, and a few minutes later, and our sweet baby girl was born! I love those first minutes when they are fresh and up on your chest. It's all just such a miracle from God. I have never experienced anything greater in life than the birth of my kids.
The on call OB coming in to get ready for a baby!
And there she was.. it all just happened so fast! Blayke Ellen is here!!
She was so quiet! Just wide eyed and looking around. I kept asking 'Is she ok?' and they reassured me she was perfect!
Grandma wasn't expecting to get to cut the cord too, but she was so proud to do it!
Grandma Glady getting a close peak!
I couldn't believe she was here, but so thankful!!
Derek thought this picture he took was hilarious :)
8:38 PM: Daddy holding his little girl!
Blayke meeting her Grandma Glady!
So much hair!
Blayke getting weighed! 6 pounds, 6.5 oz. Just a peanut like her brothers were!
Daddy is so proud!
I held Blayke for quite awhile before they took her over to clean her up better.
Her head measured 12.5 inches and her chest measurement was 13 inches. Length: 19.5 inches.
We got moved out of the delivery room and upstairs to 4th floor shortly about 10:20! We had to make a quick stop by Justin & Dana's room to say hello & introduce the girls! Dana's room was right across the hall from mine!
10:40PM: I still can't believe she is here!
Derek headed home to get some sleep about 11-11:30 when they took Blayke for her bath. I attempted to sleep while she was away a few hours but that didn't happen! I was just too excited and anxious to see her again! Thanking God once again for the gift of another precious and healthy baby. We are so in love with Blayke Ellen, and have felt God's hands over this entire journey!
His plans are far more perfect than our own!
