*MADISON STAGGE*
JULY 4, 2011
06:04 AM
6 LBS, 7 OZ
19 INCHES
After a very, very long wait....she finally made it here, safely. We couldn't be happier right now!!
BIRTH STORY
So, after my last bump post at 36 weeks I was really starting to get anxious to have this little girl. I was bound and determined to have EVERYTHING done and ready by 37 weeks, so that if she decided to come early we would be all prepared. Well, I got 99% of it done. On Sunday July 3rd, my mom came over to help me finish up sewing the dust ruffle for her crib bedding. We had to wait a bit to finish it because I had to order a ruffler by mail and it took forever to come. So, we were sitting there sewing away while I was complaining about being uncomfortable and sooooo ready for her to just get here already.
At about 7:15 pm, my mom suggested that I start timing the contractions I was having because it seemed like I was having them quite often. I was so consumed with getting the sewing done that had she not been there to suggest it, I probably would have gone right on sewing and not paying attention. Ha!! Good thing I started timing them, they started out at 10 minutes apart, then 8, then 6, then 5, 4, 3....by that time I had called my doctor and told him what was happening. He suggested I go to the hospital and check things out, the worst that could happen is they send me home, right? So, we got our bags, grabbed the car seat and headed to the hospital.
By the time we got there, I had had a couple of contractions that I had to stop and say ouch over, but nothing too significant. I was sure that they were going to send me home and say come back when you are doubled over in pain. After all, I was induced before and didn't know what going into labor felt like. I was even demanding that we not call any other family until we knew for sure that we were staying. It was already 10 pm and people were probably in bed.
We checked into the hospital and I looked over and saw 2 of the nurses that had been there with us the night we lost Waylon. I was so thrilled to see them. What different circumstances this time. They were determined to provide us the BEST care anyone could ever imagine. I am so grateful for them.
After I was changed into a gown and checked, they told me I was at 5 cm and that I would be staying. Yiippeeeee!! My doctor was calling the hospital trying to find out what was going on before we even knew. Funny guy, he is the absolute best!! Usually, the hospital calls the doctor, but he was too excited, so he called them instead.
I was told I could receive my epidural anytime I wanted, so I chose to get it as soon as possible. One of my nurses said that she thought due to how I was handling the pain, that I could go natural no problem......but I didn't want to find out if I could or not. Noooooo way!! So I got it at 11 pm. My water broke at 12:20 am when I was at 6 cm. By 1:47 am I was 7 cm, then 8 by 4:26 am, 9 cm at 5:04 am and 10 cm at 5:31 am. We then had to wait for my doctor to get there before I could start pushing.
He arrived about 20-30 minutes later, and BAM 2 1/2 pushes through 1 contraction and she was born at 6:04 am. She is 100 % healthy and absolutely beautiful!! I was never in terrible pain, I didn't tear or have to have an episiotomy, and I was literally laughing in between pushes. It was awesome!! (I know, not fair.....I'm so sorry to those who have had it rough, please don't hate me) How cool is it too that she was born on the 4th of July!! Chris and I had always hoped that maybe we would have a baby on the 4th, being that it is both of our favorite holiday, but we were shocked that it actually happened. She came 18 days early, I was 37 weeks and 2 days along. The 4th of July means sooooo much to both of us, it was only fitting that we got our little one that day. :)
It was such an amazing experience. So surreal. It's so strange to look back and think that I had already given birth once before, I should have had a pretty good idea of what would be happening and how things would go my second time around.....but I didn't. It was as if I was doing this for the first time again. For those who don't know, I was in such a deep state of shock the night we lost Waylon, that I don't remember much of what went on. I have been told what happened and filled in on the details, but I have very little recollection of anything on my own. So, this was an experience that I hope to remember for forever.
There is nothing like the sound of your new crying baby, after suffering a loss and hearing nothing but a deafening silence in the room. When my doctor layed Madison on my chest and I could feel her moving, hear her crying, see her eyes open I became overwhelmed with a sense of peace. What a moment I had waited for and dreamed about, now it was happening. My eyes were filled with tears, my heart with unconditional love as I held her to my chest. We are so blessed.
She has brought so much love and happiness into our lives. More than I could have ever imagined. I have cherished every second with her and I always will.
We chose to deliver Madison in the same room that I delivered Waylon in. Some may think that was a bad idea, some may think it was a good one. Let me just say, it was a great idea. Room 509 was such a sad place for us just over a year ago, and now it was a place of peace and happiness. We could feel Waylon with us that day, and we know he is watching over us and his new baby sister.
Chris was able to put her very first diaper on and he did such a great job.
Our first little family photo.....its just missing one little boy.
Such a proud new daddy!!
She is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! The nurses put a red, white and blue bow in her hair for the 4th of July!!
Sleeping away in papa's arms.
This daddy LOVES his little girl!!
This was MY first diaper change....ever. I was a little nervous. :)
3 Generations of girls!!
I thought of this the other day, 29 years ago my mom was 29 years old and had me on 6/18.....now 29 years later I am 29 years old and had Madison on 7/4!! How neat is that!! Maybe 29 years from now she will be having her first little girl. I guess we'll see.....
Gamma Tammie and Madison
Daddy's first snooze on the couch with his girl.
Heading home from the hospital on 7/6/11. She looked soooo tiny in that car seat.
So there you have it. Hopefully this will be enough to tide you all over for now. I have been trying to get my other posts together as soon as possible but I am a bit busy with little miss Madison, I can't seem to put her down. So I will post them as soon as I can.
Thank you to all of our family who came to the hospital in the middle of the night and stayed with us. We love you all. You guys are amazing!! Those couches didn't look very comfortable. LOL Also, thank you to everyone who came to visit us and meet Madison.
A very special thank you to my doctor, you are an amazing person and I appreciate everything you have done for us. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Another special thank you to all my nurses, you ladies mean so much to us. We got to see each and every one of you who were with us when we lost Waylon and you made this experience so unbelievably special for us.
THANK YOU!!
