So here's the story: Wednesday morning Barrett finished his last final and we all sighed a big sigh of relief that he got to finish before the baby came. I had an appointment that afternoon at 2:30 and the Dr said I was dilated 3 to 3 1/2 cm. He swept my membranes and we scheduled an induction for the next morning. We wanted one because Barrett had seminars all of this past week that he could not miss, but the Dr didn't really tell us why he wanted to induce me. We are just assuming he was afraid the baby would be too big since Anna weighed 8 lbs 4 oz and was 9 days early! Oh well, we don't have to worry about it since I didn't have to be induced anyway.
I started getting contractions not long after my appointment, but I had been having them for over a week already so I didn't think much of it. Around dinner time I realized that they were coming pretty regularly so decided I was probably in labor. It was so weird to me though because they were so different than the contractions I had with Anna. I was in labor for 23 hours total with Anna and it was difficult almost the whole time. This time I had regular contractions and I knew I was in labor, but they weren't hard enough for me to have to breathe through them or stop what I was doing. It was a beautiful evening so we went for a walk in the woods for a while. I was able to walk around without pausing for contractions or anything. It felt so good to be out and walking!
Originally we had planned for a ward member to come over early in the morning and wait for Anna to wake up while we went to the hospital for the induction, but since I was already having contractions we took Anna to their house to spend the night instead. A few hours later I was very very grateful that we were inspired to do that. Barrett and I went to bed pretty late, don't ask me why, but I was able to doze for a couple of hours while I was still having regular but not too painful contractions. I woke up around 2:15 am because my contractions were getting harder. I lay in bed and breathed through them for about 20 minutes and tried to decide if I needed to wake Barrett up or not. Just as I decided I probably should wake him up I started to get really shaky and shivery. I woke Barrett and told him I thought we better hurry up and get to the hospital as I was uncontrollably shaking in bed. He threw on his clothes and dressed me and we hurried to the car (as fast as I could while in labor!).
I was getting really worried that we weren't going to make it to the hospital, even though it is only about half a mile from our house! We made it just fine and they already had a room ready for me since I was supposed to be there for my induction 2 hours later. The nurse got me hooked up to the monitors and asked if I was wanting an epidural. I looked at her and thought to myself, "do you really think there is even time for that" as I told her no. Then she checked me and I was already dilated to an 8! The doctor was quickly called and Caleb was born almost exactly an hour after we arrived at the hospital. I couldn't believe how fast everything happened. I only had hard contractions for about 2 hours before he was born! Talk about a night and day experience from delivering Anna. It was also very different because I delivered with a midwife with Anna and was able to be in a different position that allowed gravity to help me push her out. It was really hard delivering on my back like the doctors always make people. But it still only took me about 3 pushes and 5 minutes before he was out. I was so happy to have him here!
I just kept looking at Caleb and smiling because he was so beautiful and perfect. He is such a good baby! He is so alert and loves to look around at everything. He hardly cries and is just such a cutie. My mom and two of my sisters came down the next day and were waiting at my apartment when I got home from the hospital. It was so good to be home. I missed Anna and Barrett while I was in the hospital! It was so fun to have my family here for a week and so wonderful to have their help. I cried when they left this morning! My house seemed so lonely today. My mom is the best!
My Grandma and Grandpa Andersen stopped by on their way through Flagstaff
