How it happened

So, I thought it might be time to share a little more of my 'birth story'. To be honest, there isn't really much to tell, but never mind. I'm not sure if it's the same for every mum out there, but in the weeks after delivery, I keep playing it over and over in my mind. It feels good to talk or write about it.

Okay, where to begin? Lainey was born on a Friday. The Wednesday just before, I had my regular doctor appointment (39 weeks) and he stated that I was about 2.5 cm dilated, and that he would be happy to induce me on Saturday if I liked. I agreed, but we didn't arrange a time. He told me to call the office on Friday and set it up. I was a bit scared of being induced, and decided to spend the next couple of days doing things that might help it all along.

On Thursday morning, Luke and I went for a nice long walk! I still had a few things to do around the house, so I did those. We went out for dinner as a family, I think we knew it would be the last time for a while. All through this (and the several days previous) I was having irregular and far apart Braxton-Hicks, but nothing at all painful.

We went to bed at about midnight, and around 1am I woke up with a painful contraction. A short time later, another one. Then another. I got up to go and find my watch so I could time them. In the kitchen, my water broke! It was time to go to the hospital! We called our wonderful neighbours and asked them to come up and sleep up here so we could leave Luke in bed. We're so grateful that they came and helped us out.

At the hospital, whilst checking in, the contractions started to get worse, but they still weren't all that bad. They put me in a room and a few minutes later they checked on me and said I was about 6cm dilated. I got my IV line put in and hooked up to the monitors. The next part is kind of a blur. I think they checked me again a few minutes later and said I was about 8cm. And then, it's almost like no time passed, before the doctor was there, saying I was ready. All at once, I needed to push, and they told me not to, because they weren't quite ready yet. Luckily I didn't have to wait long, and two pushes later, Lainey was born.

I feel really lucky to have had such a smooth experience. Both of my babies have been born without pain-relief drugs, and I have to say, it was a lot easier this time around! Lainey came out looking perfect and sweet (I sort of thought she looked like a little gnome at first...) Trev was able to get home before Luke woke up, which was a blessing.

Thanks to all the nurses and doctors who helped in the hospital, we were really pleased with the whole thing! And we love our new little family member :-)

Lainey

Lainey May is here! She arrived 20th February 2009 at 3.37am, after a mere 2 and a half hours of labour!

Lainey weighed 8lbs 2oz and was 20.5 inches long. She is so lovely and we adore her! I will come back with details when I have the time.

Waiting for baby...

We're down to less than two weeks until due date! We are so excited!

I've been so busy during the last couple of weeks, getting everything ready. I actually have a bag packed for the hospital this time around. (Last time I ended up lying on the living room floor, shouting out orders to Trev in between contractions...) I've assembled the bassinet, washed and sorted baby clothes, cleaned *most* of our apartment, even found time to make some little baby clothes. Funny really, it was easier to find time for that, than scrubbing the kitchen floor!

I'm grateful that Luke is such a good sleeper and that he goes to bed at a decent hour (before 7pm) and sleeps right through, giving me plenty of time to clean or do whatever needs to be done. We do wonder how Luke will adjust to being an older brother and whether he will be jealous, happy, welcoming or naughty towards the new baby. I suppose we will find out!

This is an exciting time for us!

Here are a few pictures of Luke in the last few weeks. It has been cold but we've been going outside every day, and Luke loves that. I don't have a picture, but his latest craze is pushing the stroller (pushchair) himself. He seems so proud of himself when he is toddling along with that thing!

I knew there was a reason I brought these nesting dolls back when I went to Russia 5 years ago!

The 'secret' is out...

We have finally started to tell people that we are expecting again. I'm not exactly sure why we left it so long this time. I think maybe it was because Luke is still little, and I know that I personally was a bit worried about what people would think.

But, after some thought, I came to the realisation that we do not have to defend our decision to enlarge our family. Children are such a blessing (well, the one that we have is...and I'm sure the others will be, too!) We are extremely excited to be welcoming another son or daughter to our family.

The baby is due on the 25th of February. By this time, Luke will be around 14 months old. I'm sure it will be a challenge to have two tiny ones in the home, but I am ready for it. Or at least, I hope to be ready for it in just under 6 months :-) I have already started to imagine Luke and his sibling playing side by side, and what it will be like in church when they both start to cry at the same time. Oh what fun!