What St. Patrick's Day Means To Me...

Exactly 3 years to the date (and time) I was headed to the hospital to check in and be induced. I will never forget it. I was excited to finally be able to park in the "Moms in Delivery" parking spaces! Eric and I arrived at 4pm and filled out all the necessary paperwork. We were admitted into room 318. It was a nice room with a TV and great chair for Eric to sleep in haha. I was big as a house and ready to pop. I was also nervous... I had no idea what to expect. And I forgot to wear green ... it was St. Patrick's Day.

I got into my hospital gown and settled into my room and Eric and I called relatives and let them know were were there. St. Patrick's Day was fairly easy... not alot of work... just had to go to sleep and relax.

It was up and at them at 6am though bright and early when they put pitocin running through my veins! From there I had some cramping - not much I thought.... this ain't so bad. No worries... they got worse throughout the day. I think it was around 12 or 1 that I started asking for an epidural which I was trying to hold off on. All I remember is them not wanting to give me one and me telling Eric he'd better get them to give me the Darn (nicely stated) epidural if he still wanted a wife! Luckily he finally pulled through... I think the nurses felt bad for him. It still seemed like forever from the time he asked for it, before I got the epidural but I think thats just because the contractions were immense. Epidural in - I felt better and they said to try and relax. So mom and Eric decided to go to lunch.

I think it had been 30 minutes or so that they were gone and I had already called them... I was in pain.... I mean bad pain.... "This epidural is not working!!!!", I thought. But it wasn't really cramps I was feeling it was pressure... so they told me to call a nurse.... and I did. Turns out I was completely dialated at 10 cm. and crowning... it was a blur cause it all happened so fast. I just remember calling Eric and Mom back on their cell and saying - you'd better hurry up and eat cause I'm about to have this baby! Like I said it was a blur.

I just remember that they were trying to hold me off till my cousin Jennifer (also my OBGYN) got out of surgery so she could come deliver. Although I know my perception of time is probably way off but I remember her coming in and pushing maybe 15 minutes? It went fast - I just remember Eric and Mom having to hold my legs cause they were numb and I remember pushing with all of my might (I won't go into details). lol


And low and behold Kaylea arrived into the world and into my cousin Jennifer's arms. She was born at 3:18pm on 3/18/05 and in room 318 if you can believe it. She was 21 inches long and weighed 7.13 ounces. Giving birth is truly an amzing experience. I never knew I could love someone as much as I love Kaylea.

Happy Early Birthday Kaylea! I can't wait for Chuckee Cheese tomorrow!

(Here are some pics from the past few years - I have lots more but this is all I have on this particular computer at the moment!) A tribute to kaylea! Click here to see it full screen.