She's Here!

Natalie Marie Pence was born this morning at 11:32am. She weighs 7lbs 9oz and is 18in long. She's BEAUTIFUL and MARVELOUS and SPLENDID!

Here's the story: I'm going to try and tell it quick, because I'm tired!

I woke up this morning around 8:00. Matt was up and showered and ready for church. He and my mom were getting Joanna breakfast and changed and all that. I decided I was going to repack my hospital bags this morning since I hadn't seen what was inside for about a month. So I moved stuff I thought I would want right away into one bag and stuff I'd want to come home into the other bag. I was feeling a little sore (that's not quite the right word), not contracting exactly, just not great. I got up to pick out some church clothes for Joanna, and I started feeling pretty icky. My mom stopped me and told me she'd be happy to keep Joanna home while Matt and I went to church (she's not 100% today). I headed out to the living room but soon needed to kneel/sit down. I really wasn't feeling good. I called to Matt and told him to change clothes (he was in his Sunday best). I went to the bedroom to lay down for a minute and try to figure out what was happening with my body. I decided I was having contractions and they hurt and we should go to the hospital. It was about 9:00. I couldn't even make it out of my PJs -- I just had Matt put shoes on me and waited for a lull in the contractions to head outside. We kissed Joanna bye and drove to the hospital. I still wasn't committed that I was in labor, I just knew I was hurting. We got to the hospital. I got dressed in the lovely hospital gown and layed down in the bed. While I was in the bathroom, Matt took a picture of the clock so I know it was 9:35. :) So then I labored, answered questions, labored, got checked at some point. I was 8cm dialated. Then I labored some more, got checked again (fully dialated), labored, possibly cursed a little. Then Dr. Champion from my ObGyn practice came in, and they got the bed all ready for delivery. I love Dr. Champion; she was really wonderful. I'd never actually layed eyes on her -- she's new to the practice, but she was fabulous. I felt very supported and helped and everything. I had two nurses in helping, who were also wonderful. My sweet husband is so sensitive, he has a little trouble seeing me in pain and hurting. So while I was pushing, my nurses dropped me to help Matt over to a chair and got him some juice. He was shaking! He recovered and came to stand by me and watch Natalie being born. Let me tell you, labor is hard! Pushing is especially hard!! However, this went really really quick; it probably would have been faster if I wasn't such a wimp! She was born at 11:32am, after only 2 or 3 contractions of pushing (I wasn't exactly keeping track). She is such a champ -- she was born ready to nurse. She was crying and just wanted to suck! I held her for a few minutes while they sewed me up and everything down south. Then they took her to weigh her and wrap her up and give her a little hat. Then I got her back and that child nursed for 30 or 45 minutes -- until 12:30 when they came and took her away. I miss her... a lot. She should be coming back soon. Matt's been looking at her most of this time. She got pricked and bathed and everything. I got a glimpse of her through the nursery window when they brought me to my fancy recovery suite. She was clean and beautiful, and I can't wait to have her back!! Just after they took the baby is when all of our people showed up. So, I think I'm the only one who's actually gotten to hold her! My mom is coming back soon with Joanna. I can't wait for my girls to meet!