Ryan, Jannali, and Mary Jean: 11-20-2011

*Warning, long post!*

What an awesome birthday right? So this post is more so for me so I don't forget but would love to share Mary's birth story especially since I have a sister who lives back east and wasn't here to be part of the day. (Love ya B!! miss you tons!)

So Friday evening the 19th I wasn't in the greatest of moods, I was 4 days past my due date. I had enjoyed pregnancy but was ready to meet my sweet girl. We made plans to go visit some friends who just moved in to a new apartment. As we were leaving I seriously thought I had just had an 'accident' which made me even more grumpier and even more anxious to be done with pregnancy so I could regain my bladder control. After changing clothes we were on our way, only to have another ''accident'' while walking to their apartment at about 9:30 pm. I stopped in the parking lot thinking are you kidding me? here? now?! is this real or am I seriously peeing my pants..
So we went inside and than I really knew that it wasn't me, my water had finally broken! woo hoo no induction needed! It was officially baby time.

Since I wasn't having any contractions we took our sweet time getting our things together, double checking our list so we wouldn't forget anything. About an hour later we arrived at the hospital, They had me on an IV to soften my cervix since my water broke and was only dilated to a 2. I can't remember the name but they had me put a pill in my cheek to help my body prepare for labor as well. And it certainly worked! I was having major contractions, people were not lieing when they say that labor truely is labor. I had fixed my hair and make up before we left and it was pointless because I was one hot mess. I didn't want an epidural yet since it was barely morning and they said I wouldn't have this baby till noon. But it finally came to the point at almost 5 am I was in pain I never knew before, making noises I didn't recognize coming out of my mouth. Ryan held my hand telling me to breath and saying how much he loved me that I could do this. I wonder how many times he lost feeling in that hand I held so tightly to. I knew I needed sleep and rest before the time came to push so I finally gave in and called my nurse to bring in the man that every pregnant woman loves. I am so grateful I asked when I did because an hour later at 6 am when they were planning on putting me on pitocin they said I was fully dilated and ready to go! Btw ladies, don't be afraid of getting an epidural. I literally did not feel a thing and it works quickly thank heavens! *mental note just get the epidural right away!! I told Ryan he had better hurry and call our parents to let them know she would be coming now and not in the afternoon. They made it just in time before I started pushing.

After getting things set up and ready for the delivery, getting a hold of my doctor since 7 am is when the shift changes occurred, I was finally ready to bring this little one here.
Pushing wasn't what I thought it would be (granted I had an epidural, oh yes so worth it!) It wasn't so much hard/painful but just tiring I remember with all of the breathing, holding my breath. Overall I pushed for maybe 45 minutes to an hour? I don't know how women push for hours. I was exhausted! MJ's heart rate wasn't where they wanted it to be so they had me on some oxygen to help her out.
It's true that there are no words when you hear those sweet first cries. She was absolutely beautiful, so perfect in every way. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. As soon as they brought her over and lay her on me she stopped crying and just stared at me calm as could be. Best feeling in the world, I love my beautiful little family.