The weekend before she was born, my mother and sister in law came in hopes that I would have the baby. I did all the safe tricks to try and get her to come. I was already dilated to a 4, and my body was ready, but apparently Zaylee was not. She did not want to come that weekend, and we ended up inducing labor on the Tuesday after. She was one week early from her due date, and it was an elective inducement, but it was THE BEST labor and delivery I have had.
My mom came and picked up the two older kids Monday evening. My Grandpa Wilde, Aunt Sheryl, and brother Jason were visiting St. George, so they came, too, and we all went out to dinner. Then the kids went back to St. George with them. Josh and I went to the local community theater to see my friend perform in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." Then the next morning we were at the hospital by 7 am. I was strep B positive, so I needed to be put on antibiotics. I checked in, and the first thing was to get my iv going, but it was stubborn, and to be honest it was the worst part of the whole labor and delivery because I got poked about 10 times. I guess my veins were nervous and kept sliding.
Once my iv was in and the antibiotics and fluids were going, the doctor broke my water, I got an epidural before the pain hit, and a small dose of Pitocin. That's all that Zaylee needed to come 2 hours later. The progress of my labor was happening so quickly that my sister in law, Kayla, almost didn't make it in time to video Zaylee's birth for me. (I really wanted to see my own daughter be born). Kayla got to the hospital just in the nick of time. I am not kidding when I say the IV was the worst part. I didn't have any labor pains, and almost felt guilty, but it was AWESOME. After Avenly's birth, which was all natural, I was tired. I didn't want to hold her, and it was a horrible recover. This time around, I had a precious two hours of skin to skin and nursing with my daughter before they even weighed her, and did all that other stuff. I had the energy I needed to have this special time wither her. Disclaimer- I am not saying everyone should choose an elective inducement. I feel like it's totally up to the mother how she should have her baby, whether it be the way I had mine, or an at home birth. I have had three babies three different ways, and doing it this way, I felt like my recover was a lot easier and quicker than the other two ways.
Anyway, after Zaylee was born, I was having hemorrhaging and blood clotting issues. (Another reason I am grateful for the painless delivery). The reason for these issues is because I hemorrhaged so bad with my miscarriage, and sometimes this happens after a miscarriage with your next baby. I was given a Vitamin K shot, and other supplements to help stop the clotting and hemorrhaging. I also remained on the Pitocin until 3 pm for that reason. After the epidural wore off, the after birth contractions were pretty bad, but I got through them, and the worst was over after a couple of days. (I think they went much longer with Avenly).
Later that day, the whole crew (My Mom, Dad, Payson, Avenly, Jason, Aaron, Grandma Bosen, Grandpa Wilde, and Aunt Sheryl) came to visit us in the hospital. This was the first time we had family actually come to the hospital. We were in different states with the other two kids, so family was not able to come to the hospital when they were born. This was also the first time the kids met their baby sister. (Notice Avenly's shirt). They loved her, and still do. The first couple days of being home, it was a full time job making sure Avenly didn't clobber the baby. Payson is so good to help, as well. When it comes to helping Zaylee, he is there in a heart beat.
Everyone else seemed to like her, too! Jason claimed he didn't want to hold her because it would make him baby hungry. He is getting married in a couple weeks, so I told him it was okay to be baby hungry since he is getting married. :)
Our family picture in the hospital didn't exactly turn out, but this was our first official family picture of 5.
After my family left, the kids stayed with us at the hospital. We gave them little gifts, and let them watch Zaylee's sponge bath, in which I helped while Josh took pictures.
At one point during the evening, Josh read all three kids books that were given to us from a donation to the hospital. It was a cute moment, I had to take a picture.
That night the kids went home with Josh, while Zaylee and I spent our night in the hospital. She slept a ton, and never cried. (Pretty different from my first two on their first night). She is still like that, even after one week. She sleeps a ton, and hardly cries. At Zaylee's 24 hour checkup, she was perfect, so we got the all clear to go home. Josh and the kids came to pick us up, and again, the kids loved watching me put her clothes on her, and put her in her car seat.
As soon as we got home, the older two kids asked to hold their baby sister. It was precious, and I am counting my blessings. I have three beautiful children who all love each other. There is no greater joy than that of being a mother.
Josh's mom, Molly, came to help us out for a couple days after Zaylee was born. Between my parents taking the kids the night before the baby was born and Molly coming the help out after she was born, I am counting my blessings, again. How did I get so lucky? After Molly left, my family came back on Sunday to cook dinner for us.
Since I am counting blessings, I can't leave out my greatest blessing of all- Josh!!! He has been such a great father and husband this last week, and I don't know if he knows how much I really appreciate him. Sunday was a rough day for me, and my husband rose to the occasion of helping in any and every way he could. He has also been getting up with Avenly every night.
I have so much to be thankful for. I am truly blessed to have amazing people in my life. I know that my life would not be the same without the blessings that God has given me. I truly owe everything to him, and grateful that he would bless us with our little Zaylee.
