Natalie's Story

It was around 12:45am when Marisa comes into our room and wants to sleep with us. She has done this several times before so as usual, too tired to put her back into her own bed, we let her climb on in and sleep in between us. Then around 2am I suddenly woke up. I noticed that Natalie was moving a ton and that I was hungry. So of course, like any almost 40 week preggo lady I decided to get up and eat. But as I'm getting up I realized that Marisa was not in bed with us. Where did she go? There is no way she put herself back to her own bed. Is she in the living room doing who knows what? Did Tim put her back to bed once she fell asleep with us and I just didn't notice?
Well, on my way to the bathroom I saw my answer. She was on the floor on her stomach, her chin resting in her hands, her legs just casually swinging back and forth in the air, and just peacefully hanging out! haha I started laughing and noticed that she was staring at a blue blinking light on Tim's laptop. Quite entertaining in the middle of the night I guess? Then I said, "Marisa, what are...", but I had to stop mid sentence because right then I felt a small amount of liquid come out of me. I IMMEDIATELY froze in place. I obviously couldn't have peed on myself because I would have been able to control it. Right then I knew what it was, but I couldn't believe it. I quickly turned in place and walked into the bathroom before it went all over the carpet. I made it just in time when suddenly a warm small gush comes running out of me. My whole body began shaking as I froze in place yet again. I was even still shaking as I managed to sit on the toilet trying to get my brain to register what just happened. I couldn't believe it was time! After a few seconds of numbness I quickly got up, still shaking, and said, "Tim, my water broke!" He immediately woke up, smiled, and started to gather his things.
As we are franticly gathering all the last minute things we didn't have already packed in our hospital bag, Marisa thought it was a party! Everybody was now awake! haha On our way to the hospital Tim and I thought it was odd that Marisa woke up and stayed awake right when Natalie decided to come into this world. Did Marisa know that she was coming? I'd like to think so.

Now the reason why we were hurrying to get to the hospital (which is very close to us so it's not like we needed to travel far) was because my labor with Marisa was only 4 1/2 hours. From start to finish. My doctor said that usually with your first child you're in labor for a long time and then with the second child the time is usually cut in half. So that meant that I could be as quick as 2 hours! He told me at my final doctor's appointment the week before that he has his patients come in when their contractions are 3-5 minutes apart, but he wanted me to come in when they were 7-8 minutes apart because I would be so fast. So I knew that once my water broke it wouldn't be long before Natalie came out. And my absolute #1 concern at the moment was to get to the hospital in time for my epidural!!!

Once we got to the hospital and checked in at the desk I started to feel mild contractions. It wasn't even 30 minutes after my water broke when they became regular. Once I was in my room my nurse checked me and I was already dilated to a 4. (I was a 2 at my last doctor's appointment.) I told the nurses that I go pretty fast and that I wanted an epidural. Once I was in bed everything felt like I was in fast forward. While the nurses were hooking me up to everything and asking me a bizillion questions my pain level was increasing rapidly. They told me that once my lab work was processed I could get my epidural. For whatever reason that was taking way too long.
My contractions were KILLER! I was already a 6-7 cm dilated be then and my contractions were every 2 1/2 minutes apart. On top of that I felt like I wasn't getting much of a break in between them. With each contraction I would shut my eyes and just squeeze the life out of Tim's hands. With Marisa, since I was induced, I never felt more than just mild contractions before getting my epidural. So feeling these intense strong contractions reconfirmed to me that I love epidurals and that I never want to have a natural birth. =o)
My nurse called the lab to see how much longer it would take and they said 5-10 more minutes and my nurse said, "She doesn't have 5-10 minutes!" Luckily they let me get my epidural anyway. Why it matters to begin with is stupid to me. I'm in pain people I want my drugs!!!
FINALLY, I got my epidural, everything else was done, and it was now just waiting time. It was about 5am and the nurse told us to try and get some sleep before it was time to push. I think Tim was able to sleep a little, but I absolutely could not. It was hard to fall asleep when I knew Natalie would be here any moment.
I was sooo close to falling asleep when I felt pressure and the urge to push. Here we go! I called the nurse and of course I was at a 10 and ready! I only pushed through 2 contractions and Natalie was out. I was so fast that the doctor didn't even have time to take my catheter out and during the second contraction while I was pushing they said, "Ok stop, stop!" The doctor wasn't even ready yet! So just like with Marisa my labor was only 4 1/2 hours long!

Welcome Natalie!

Drama queen already?

Right when I saw Natalie I couldn't help but think of Marisa. She looked so much like her at birth. Natalie has long eyelashes, lots of hair, big eyes, and long feet just like Marisa did. The doctor and every nurse that would see her would all say those same things. They would also say how feminine or girly she already looked. The only difference between Marisa and Natalie is that Marisa had fuller lashes, thicker and longer hair, and Marisa had dark brown hair and Natalie has black hair. But other than those small differences Natalie looks just like her big sister did.

Our beautiful baby girl!

I cried way more seeing Natalie for the first time than I did with Marisa. The birth process is such a miracle and you can't help but feel closer to heaven when looking at the precious gift that the Lord has trusted you with. What a blessing it is to be a mommy again.

Mommy and Natalie!

6 pounds 19 inches 6:33am!

Marisa was SO excited to see her new baby sister when she walked into the hospital room for the first time. She just smiled from ear to ear when she first saw her and got to hold her for the first time. She wanted to touch her eyes, her nose, her hands, her head, anything!

Sisters meeting for the first time!



Marisa being curious!

Giving baby Natalie kisses!

Sleeping beauty!

Natalie and Daddy Tim in the background sleeping!

Marisa eager to help in changing Natalie's diaper!

We are so glad she made it here safely into our family. We all love her so much and look forward to the many adventures of being a family of four!