Dear Sweet Charlotte,
Bringing you into this world was something I thought I had prepared for, but boy was I oh so wrong. On the morning of June 10, 2014 I woke up at 3AM with minor contractions. I started to time them while laying in bed with your dad fast asleep next to me. Was this the real deal or just a false alarm? At 5AM dad got up to go to the bathroom. I told him what had been going on, and he asked what that felt like. As I explained, I noticed he had fallen back asleep. He's really not an alarmist. :) I finally fell asleep early morning so I thought maybe it was just a false alarm. Nope. Woke back up and bam! They were back! Throughout the day I tried to go out my normal routine. I decided I'd go to the grocery store. Bad idea. Could hardly walk! So, Nelson and I went home and I thought I should definitely keep track of these contractions. Man they were closer together than I thought. I called dad and gave him the heads up. As the evening came I knew this was the real deal. When would we meet you?? It had to be soon. While we were waiting, dad and I decided to take on Sears. I think this actually helped my labor progress from the rage of furry I had for this company who was supposed to deliver my new appliances today! Nicole came over to see how I was doing and she snuck in some pictures of the yelling madness that was occurring. She was mortified.
After this we decided it was time to get some sleep, or at least your dad was able to get some. I tried, but instead, spent the time kneeling over the side of the bed. How about a bath? Didn't really help, but Nelson sure kept me company. He did not like to see his mommy in pain.
Once you started getting serious, we packed our bags, and headed out. It was getting real...fast. I was so sad to leave Nelson in the middle of the night. We were so excited to meet you but I was really struggling with leaving him for the last time when it would just be us. This is the very last picture with you in my belly.
On our way to the hospital dad really encouraged me. Before this day he said he would always drive the speed limit when it was "Go Time"... guess he wasn't prepared for what I would sound and look like through this pain because we sped there.
At this point it was hard to walk or sit (what's left!). We got checked in and I was at 4 cm. I figured, "okay, we are almost halfway there so she should be here in no time!". We got settled in the delivery room just in time for our sweet doula, Vanessa to arrive. Vanessa was a Godsend during this day. She helped me through every contraction, encouraging me that I COULD in fact do this. She also helped dad too. She explained things and gave him the right words to do everything he could. The next 7 hours were some of the hardest hours of my life. I never imagined I would feel such pain and you were in NO hurry to meet me. After doing 12 solid hours of intense contractions I decided to throw in the towel and get an epidural. This was not part of my plan one bit. I was determined to deliver you naturally but you had other plans. I was stuck at 7 cm for 3 hours, which was telling us that you were not in the mood to move your positioning. I hope this isn't an indication of your future stubbornness?! Vanessa reminded me that I was simply using a tool to get you here. Throughout the last 12 hours your dad looked utterly stressed. Seeing me in pain is not something he liked to do. He described it as I went another world and he lost me during this time. I hardly opened my eyes for half a day. He was a mess. When I finally got the epidural he said I came back to him. I talked and was actually able to enjoy a little bit of the laboring. Dad finally relaxed...and so did I. You'd think he was the one that had been doing all the work!!
The end was in sight and it was finally time to start pushing. You were ready to make your grand entrance in the world! Pushing began! Dad was soooo excited to see what you looked like and if you had hair. In the middle of pushing he dropped my leg and yelled "she has hair!"... thanks dad. Two hours later, with lots of practice pushing, you were finally here. I COULD NOT believe it. Your dads eyes were so big and proud and filled with tears. You were wiggling, pooping on me, screaming and all mine.
This is our very first picture together. You were absolutely perfect. 7 pounds 7 ounces and 19 3/4 inches long of perfection.
Daddy is in love. You had your first bath and were such a champ.
You laid on my chest for a couple of hours and we just soaked you in. We loved your perfect ears, your long fingers, your big feet, and your hairy arms and back (like a monkey). You even got the gift of a long second toe! You're welcome.
While we loved this time with you, we were also so excited to show your grandparents how perfect you truly were. They had been waiting right outside the delivery room all morning, along with Nicole and Jodi...two very eager ladies. Dad went out an announced the news! He was so proud (and relieved!)
We finally got settled in to our new room and the visitors came pouring in.
Grandpa was so excited.
Your gram was on her way to see you all the way from Washington! She had planned to come in on June 11th...not knowing that this was also the day you had planned too. She showed up just in time!
Then the non-stop pictures began. We were just so proud to call you our daughter.
The first night with you was busy. We didn't sleep much...dad did. I just stayed up and starred at you, still in disbelief. You cooed and moaned and made the most delicious noises. Therefore, I got zero sleep and could hardly see straight.
The next day was your dad and my 4th anniversary. We could not have wished for a better gift to give one another than your sweet face.
Laster that night dad felt so bad that I was exhausted that he decided to take you to the nursery when you were needing me to eat. We both couldn't stand the thought of you being in there crying without us, so he hung with you. Apparently he made some friends too. He came back to the room several hours later with you. He said he had a blind date set up for a friend, showed all the nurses pictures of your brother, Nelson, and learned some sweet dad tricks on how to calm a baby. I told him we will change his name to Mack Daddy.
Although we loved having all the help at the hospital, we were so eager to get you home to meet your brother. He is our first kid and we knew you two would hit it off. (I'll give the keyboard back to Nelson soon so he can tell you all about the night you were born from his perspective). So we bundled you up and proudly brought you home.
Can you tell we are a little tired?!
Charlotte, this was a week your dad and I will hold so dear to our hearts. Being pregnant with you was the best thing I thought I had ever done. I enjoyed every single second of it. I thought I would miss being pregnant. I loved feeling your little feet push on my belly. But the first night I held you while you slept in my arms and those perfect little feet were now in my hands made me realize that having you as my daughter was now the best thing I had ever done. I've described how I feel about you as absolutely intoxicating. The amount of love that your dad and I have for you is almost debilitating. I cannot wait to watch you grow, see you smile, hear you laugh, and hold you close at night. Thank you for making our life so full.
Love,
Your Mommy
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