Welcome Caylee!

I have a few moments while the boobah is sleeping in her swing and Jocey is content with watching Spongebob (I know, I know, don't judge me). And I've had a few of you ask about the "story" of Caylee's birth. So I'll fill you in a bit.

Last Tuesday (the 17th), we went in for our final doctor's appointment. I had been experiencing some cramping and was just D-O-N-E! We only had a few more days until our scheduled C-section, so it was just about making it a few more days. We went to bed that night, and I was feeling actually pretty good. I slept good, until 3:00 AM.

It was at that point that I started feeling a little funny - lots of pressure, my hips really hurt, and I just felt like Caylee was dropping. Jocey came in (which is a usual thing lately) and instead of taking her back to bed, I just let her get in bed with Jon and I went and laid down in the other bed.

About 4:00 AM, the contractions started. They were intense enough to keep me awake, timing them. 10 minutes apart, consistently. Jon came looking for me around 7:00 AM, and I told him that I had been having contractions regularly and that they really hurt this time. He had an appointment to go to that morning, so I sent him off with the understanding that if the contractions got closer together I'd let him know.

Around 9:00 AM, I called my doctor to see what he wanted me to do - the contractions were still 8-10 minutes apart, still the same level of intensity. I was instructed to go to the hospital and get checked out. I called Jon, who couldn't believe we were actually going to go to there so early. He showed up with a birthday cake for me from Nothing Bundt Cake (seriously the best cake in the whole WORLD!). It had to go into the fridge since I couldn't eat anything just in case they went ahead and delivered her that day. We got our bags ready, took Jocey to Aunt Dawnie's house, and made our way to the hospital.

They checked us in about 11:00, hooked me up to the fetal and contraction monitors and let me sit there for an hour while the contractions continued, only this time they were about 5-7 minutes apart. Here's the kicker - the contractions were NOT showing up! And I was only dilated to a 1! HOLY CRAP! The labor and delivery nurse called my doctor, who was already in surgery that day, and they decided to go ahead and deliver Caylee that afternoon! ON MY BIRTHDAY! How fun is that!? I was thrilled - seriously the best birthday present ever.

I sent Jon off to go get some lunch while they prepped me and gave me a shot to stop the contractions. By 2:00, they were prepping the operating room, the doctor was on his way, we met the anesthesiologist (who was SO cool, I totally LOVED her!), and Jon had changed into his "Hazmat" suit. They took me into the OR at 2:40, gave me the spinal block, and began surgery at 2:45. At 2:49, she was born, and by 3:00 I was in recovery.

During surgery though, they discovered that my uterus had thinned out too much and they had to do a little repair to reinforce it. I think that's why the monitor was not picking up my contractions - the monitor is up at the top of the abdomen while my contractions were down low around my old incision area. They said that if I had gone into full fledge labor, the incision would have torn and I would have hemmoraged. So I am so grateful that we went in to the hospital when we did.

Anyway, Caylee was doing great, she was a big baby and started eating immediately. I was coherant through the whole surgery and came out of anesthesia easily. It was seriously amazing and such a different experience from when Jocey was born. We were only in the hospital for 2 days after the surgery, and I was so happy for that. It was nice to have Caylee in the nursery for a few nights, but I recover so much better being in my own space.

It's been a week now, and Caylee is doing so wonderfully. She's already gained 1/2 pound and grown 1/2 inch. She sleeps so well - only getting up once or twice during the night - and she is so calm. She loves her big sister, occasionally giving smiles to her and being content to just sit there and look at her. I really could not ask for a better baby. I am recovering very well, off the pain meds now and up and moving around.

It's been a wonderful Birthday/Thanksgiving week and I am so grateful for my family - Jon is wonderful and has helped so much, Jocey is so good and kind with Caylee, and Caylee is just beautiful and sweet. I am grateful for everyone who has wished us well, has brought meals, and that my parents and Sara could come down - it was good to see my dad possibly one last time before he goes to Iraq. I have so much to be thankful for this year.