I know...it's been a long time coming. Our sweet Hallie Grace joined us over 3 weeks ago on Wednesday, August 24th, at 6:45 pm. I don't know how you mama-bloggers with a whole gaggle of children do it, because let me tell you, blogging has pretty much been the last thing on my mind! But I really wanted y'all to meet our newest little love so better late than never, right?!
I'm not really all about detailed birth stories and pictures (I'll read 'em all the live long day, but I'll spare ya mine), but here's a little bit how it went. I ended up going in for an elective induction the morning of the 24th. I was really hoping she would come on her own before that, but due to my hubby's coaching schedule (his first game was the next week!), we really wanted him to be there and be able to spend a day or two with her before things got crazy. I had complications with both pitocin and an epidural with Miss Mak's labor, so I was nervous about induction, and unsure if I would go for an epidural or not. Things progressed throughout the day and my nurse was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. She was a total answer to prayer, as I knew that having a good nurse made all the difference in the world! I opted to get the epidural right before my doctor broke my water, not because I was in much pain yet, but because I had decided that I WOULD get it at some point, so I figured why not then?! It actually made the afternoon really easy, I got a GREAT epidural and really had no pain all day. It almost felt wrong, like "aren't I supposed to be suffering a little bit?!". While I definitely didn't go the "all natural" route - we still utilized a bunch of essential oils during labor and delivery. We ran a diffuser in my room during the whole duration of my stay for stress relief, sleep and immunity. I also used a few other oils for pain, nausea, and after-birth contractions. I absolutely loved having them at my disposal and my nurses and doctors loved them too!
While things were progressing, it was pretty slow and it was beginning to look like we wouldn't meet our little one before 7pm when my favorite nurse was getting off for the day. Suddenly, around 6:00 I started feeling a lot of pressure. They checked me and sure enough, it was GO TIME! I pushed for just about 30 minutes before she made her appearance - at 6:45pm! She was strong and healthy, 7lbs 5oz and 18.5 inches long (my shorty!). We had a pretty restful night and spent the next day relaxing at the hospital, Miss Mak got to come meet her little sister along with my mom, and we got to go home that night! My recovery was MUCH easier than the first time around.
Little Hallie is the perfect addition to our family, we are all so in love! Miss Mak is the best big sister, she loves picking out baby's clothes each day and fetching things and snuggling with us. She always on bodily fluid patrol "big poops mom!", "big spits mom!" "whoa burps!" "more milk mom?". It's pretty entertaining. Hallie is a great sleeper so we've gotten to actually get some decent sleep ourselves (that is, when our 2 year old isn't joining us in bed...).
Hallie got to jump straight into the football family life - checking out her first practice at about a week old and her first game at 2 weeks! Having a newborn during football season definitely isn't my idea of ideal, but we're making it work. I'm so thankful for the help of my mom while she was here and countless friends who have jumped in to help and bring food! Y'all are AMAZING! We are so blessed.
I can't wait to continue to share about life with 2 - so stay tuned!
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