She's Here!

 Here's the story.  I had an induction scheduled for 39 weeks--September 14th.  My doctor, Dr. Savage, is a graduate from Ben's residency program so she offered to do it on a Saturday in order to give Ben a few more days off to help me at home.  She understands the crazy schedule of a resident.

The night before the induction, my wonderful mother came and picked up the two older kids and let them have a sleepover at her house.  They were excited, and it was such a nice thing for Ben and I to be able to have a date night and relax the night before.  I got the house cleaned one last time before he got home from work, and then we partied it up by going to dinner at Joe Vera's, then test drove Honda Odysseys (his idea, not mine), got a hot fudge sundae at the hospital cafe (the perks of being a resident is free food!), and then finished out the night by watching The Dark Knight.  Then we went to bed and I got to sleep in while Ben went to do a moonlighting shift until our induction appointment.

I had been having contractions, serious ones all week, but nothing that kept coming.  They would go for an hour or two at spaced out intervals and then stop abruptly.  I almost went into the hospital a night that Ben was on call because my contractions were so bad.  That was fun to be figuring that out when I was home by myself with the kids. :)  So anyway, the morning of the induction I was running around doing last minute errands and noticed I was having a lot of contractions.  Then I noticed they were getting pretty close together, and then it was 1:00, and the nurse said I was all clear to come in for my appointment.

I went home to meet Ben and let him drive me to the hospital, and by then my contractions were 4 minutes apart.  The nurse checking us in was very nice but was getting very chatty and I was dying a little bit.  They were coming fast and strong.  So I got set up with my hospital gown and got to hang out while they got everything going.

My last picture pregnant with Madeline.

 I was getting concerned there wouldn't be time for an epidural, but luckily that wasn't so.  I got it with plenty of time to spare.  I was doing a nice job of contracting and dilating on my own, so I think we would've been having a baby that day regardless of the induction appointment!  I got my epidural and small amount of pitocin going at about 2:30, and then went through quite an uncomfortable time with the dang catheter and the rapid dilation my body always goes through when laboring.  Then, before I knew it, the nurse checked me and asked if I was ready to have a baby.  (Holy crap!)  They called Dr. Savage, and Ben gowned up.

Isn't he so cute looking all official?

 I pushed for about 20 minutes, and she got a little bit stuck, but everything ended up just fine.  Ben was the one to deliver his little girl with Dr. Savage supervising.  Our sweet little girl was Ben's 110th delivery.  He did an awesome job, and contributes my small amount of tearing to his mad skillz.  They called in another nurse to take some pictures for us since Ben's hands were occupied, and she came in the room and didn't realize Ben was my husband.  She whispered to one of the other nurses, "Is her husband in Afghanistan or something?"  It was funny when she finally realized we were married.  It was fun to deliver at Ben's hospital because all the nurses recognized him and were super nice.

Dr. Savage, Madeline, and Nurse Belinda

7 lbs. 7 oz.

Dr. Savage, Nurse Heidi, Madeline, and me

Daddy and little sweetie

Madeline Sophia Christensen, born 5:19 pm, 7 lbs. 7 oz, 19.5 inches long

All bathed and fresh

I got to "rest" while Ben was in the nursery with Maddi, and I got my dinner ordered.  I don't know if I was just ravenous or what, but the food at this hospital was really REALLY good.  My mom brought the kiddos down to meet their new sister and they were pretty excited.  Emerson was especially enthusiastic, but Sammi was a little hesitant, I think mostly because it was weird to see me in the hospital.

E and Maddi

Dad and his girls

We have 3 kids! Bah!

Grandma and Maddi

Our family of 5

My mom took the kids back to her house for the night and the next day.  Ben stayed in the hospital with me while we got to know our newest little girl.  She is such a sweet baby.

We decided to only stay in the hospital for one night since I was feeling so good and Maddi was doing so well.  Plus, I can't say I wasn't thinking about the hospital bill.  So we got all the testing and discharge stuff done and made our way home after 24 hours.

The first night home was pretty rough.  I didn't get much sleep in the hospital because I felt like every time I was about to fall asleep, someone would come in the room to check something or ask me how the food service was or whatever, so that didn't help things.  Then there were the stupid after-birth cramps that get worse with every child.  Then there is the whole breastfeeding thing.  Then I have two other kids, and I couldn't bring my wonderful nurse home with me, so I just kind of lost it and sobbed while Ben was supportive and took care of me.  Dang hormones. Once I got my pain under control again, things looked much brighter and Ben did a great job taking care of all of us for the next two days he had off work. 

My wonderful mom came and stayed for two days to help and stocked our freezer with lots of delicious meals.  Ben's mom and sisters sent some meals down too, which was much appreciated.  Our neighbors and ward have been helpful, and we just feel blessed to have so many people looking out for us.

This past week has been great.  So long, and so short all at the same time.  Sometimes Ben and I just look at each other and say, "Holy crap.  We have 3 kids now."  We just love this little girl to pieces!