On November 03, Caitlin turned two months and wow, how much she has changed.  She smiles a lot and loves to talk (coo) to you.  For a two month old she is very alert and aware of her surroundings and holds her head up really well.  She is also a pretty good sleeper usually sleeping at least six hours at night before her next feeding.  Compared to my two boys, she is by far the easiest baby I have dealt with. 

In celebration of Caitlin turning two months old I am documenting her birth… more so I don’t forget the events of that day.

Aidan woke up at 4 am crying for the no reason.  As both my boys were born in the morning, I figured Caitlin would follow the same path.  But, I wasn’t feeling any contractions so I went back to sleep thinking, “She’s not coming today.”  I had been feeling Braxton Hicks for the past couple of weeks and thought that it was having another fake contraction when I woke up at 5:30 am to go pee.  And, there it was… my first sign that I was going into labor… I was having a bloody show.  So that wasn’t a Braxton Hick… it was a really contraction.  Oh joy!  Finally!

I calmly woke William up and told him that we should get ready to go to the hospital.  Since my contractions were not coming one after the other, I figured I had time to put myself together, straighten my hair, put on some make-up, etc.  Don’t ask me why, but I just wanted to look good for this delivery.  Lol!  William on the hand was running around, getting the car out of the garage and putting my suitcase in.  He was going from our labor experience with Mark where I was fully dilated by the time I got to the hospital.  I think he was afraid that it would happen again.  He was in a hurry to get me to the hospital. 

We arrived at the hospital at around 6:30 am.  I called Carolyn (my MIL) on the way to the hospital to tell her where we were headed and laughing told her that they probably would send me home cause my contractions were not coming so fast and my water had not broken.  She doubted they would do that and she was right.  After answering a bunch of questions in triage I was checked and told that I was 5 cm dilated.  I was then told to walk around to help my labor progress.

Boy did it progress.  An hour later I was 8 cm dilated and the contractions were coming fast.  I was moved into labor and delivery room to finish dilating.  I’m not sure how long that took but I think it went by fast.  I have to say, I’m really grateful for the birthing ball.  It, along with William’s wonderful massages, helped lessen the pain of the contractions.  During all the contractions my water never broke so the midwife had to do that for me.

I have to say the hardest part of my delivery was pushing Caitlin out… something I brought on myself.  You see, the day before I went to the hospital I had a bowl of raisin bran, but I never went to the bathroom that day.  Now, lying there on the delivery bed, I was afraid my body would let me down!  I was terrified I was going to poop.  William, Janice (my midwife), and the nurse would tell me to push and I would cry back, “No, I don’t want to poop!’  They would yell back, “Just poop, its okay!”  Thankfully I did not poop (at least that’s what William told me and I believe him cause he never lies to me), and after 20 minutes of pushing Caitlin was born.

For those interested, total labor and delivery time was 4 hours.  And, I did it without any painkillers or an epidural.  I know I shouldn’t gloat, but I am very proud of the fact I was able to do it naturally.

It seems like only yesterday Caitlin was born, but then again, it seems like she has been a part of this family forever.  I don’t know what it is about Caitlin that has me completely infatuated with her.  I love my boys, but I feel that Caitlin is special.  Maybe it’s because she was my wish come true for having a girl.  Oh, and she has the most adorable chubby cheeks that I can’t stop kissing.  🙂

Although the last two months have been crazy, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  My family is complete and life is good.  Family and friends always ask me how I’m doing and I reply with “I’m fine,” to which they look at me with amazement.  I won’t lie, it’s been tough but I seem to be managing.  Of course some days are better than other.  I haven’t gone crazy yet, which is a plus.  When I do go crazy, that’s when you need to worry about me.  For now, I’m fine.

PS:  I have to give a shout out to my beloved cousin Kawshi who came to visit us at just the right time.  She watched the boys while I was in the hospital and did a wonderful job.  Kawshi, if you can watch my kids anytime you want.  I’ll feed you in return.