The Thompsons: 2017

The long awaited arrival of Miss Molly finally happened on February 23, 2017 at 8:44 AM. She's been with us a whole 12 days now, and she just fits right into our hearts and home. I'm exhausted, emotional, and crabby, but I love her so much, and I love my family. I may need to remind myself of that at times, I also need to remind myself that these times are gonna fly by, so yes, I'm tired and feeling the baby blues, but it's in combination with newborn bliss. Now, it's time to jot down Molly's birth story before all the details get any fuzzier!
When the option to be induced was presented by my doctor, I couldn't resist and snatched up that opportunity! We set the induction day for 39 weeks and 2 days, it then got bumped back one more day (serious disappointment there) to Feb 22nd. We were to report to labor and delivery at 8 pm. Tage and I both thought that was a bit strange, but still, I was ready to get that baby out, time was no factor to me!
So the week chugged a long and I prepped and prepped. I cleaned the house, packed bags, worried a lot, and cleaned some more. Then my parents arrived from Arizona! That was huge relief! So the day finally came, and boy, was that a long day! When you know you get to finally meet your baby, buuuut all you can do is wait around until 8 pm. GRRR! The hospital did call around 6 and told us to come in early, that didn't help a ton, but we got the move on and headed there as quick as we could!
It was snowy and windy on the way to the hospital, very different for me seeing as Lila and Heidi were both warm weather babies. We ran inside and got all checked into labor and delivery. The nurse got my IV in and got me all settled, then she checked my cervix and much to my dismay I was still only at a 1! AGH! So they started the pitocin and left Tage and I to play cards and watch TV.
A few hours passed, Tage drifted off into a LOUD snoring slumber. I could not sleep seeing as I was having contractions every 3 mintues. The nurse checked my cervix again a few hours later...only barely a 2. I was feeling pretty frustrated!
Things got busy with the nurses and I was forgotten for a few hours. (Not that I needed anything, they probably knew there was not much going on with me, and Molly's heart rate was looking wonderful the whole time) SO I laid in my bed, feeling every contraction, and still feeling that pregnancy pressure on my body. Every joint was tired, my back, my legs, my hips, everything was so sore and so tired! Getting up to use the bathroom was painful, simply because my body was just exhausted, walking even hurt! But I had been feeling that way for the last week or two, so as I laid there alone I got a little bit ticked off and frustrated, For some reason, I had built up in my mind that we'd come into the hospital, they'd break my water, and we'd have a baby by midnight! I thought this cause that's what happened with Heidi, I was only in labor with her for 6 hours total. When I realized what a looong night this was going to be, I got pretty cranky. I tried so hard to sleep, but around 2 AM I was fed up, my nurse finally came to check on me, and I made the dreaded decision to get the epidural.
Epidurals are wonderful...it's just the process of actually getting it done that I hate hate hate. I was psyching myself out over it and giving myself major anxiety. I finally decided to go for it though!
Both my previous experiences with an epidural consisted of vomiting, low blood pressure, distressed babies, itchiness, and just a general mix of not feeling well. So as the anesthesiologist prepped to do the procedure, all I could do was grip Tage's hands and focus on breathing. Just the thought of what that guy was putting in my back made my skin crawl. After he was done, I let a huge sigh of relief, opened my eyes and saw that I had left finger imprints on Tage's hands. He said he was a little concerned for his thumbs and had to return some of the pressure, haha! I didn't even notice. Once I was all done I notice that Tage was a nice shade of greenish/yellow. He also hates epidurals. The nurse made him stay sitting and brought him some snacks and drinks to help his color return. Poor Tage, I don't blame him one bit!
After I got the epidural, I had a bit of an adrenaline rush, I was sooo much happier and so relieved to have gotten what I consider the worst part out of the way! I still could not sleep and was feeling kinda loopy, but as those pregnancy aches faded, and I could only just barely feel contractions, I was finally able to relax. And the major bonus was that I did not even get sick, it was a wonderful epidural, I could still move my legs, but I couldn't feel any pain. Fabulous!
Time ticked slowly by, and my nurse was MIA again, I knew that they were super busy that night though, and Molly was not under any stress, so it was fine. Finally she checked my cervix again...only a 4!! So back to waiting and trying to sleep.
Around 6 AM I got a cheery new nurse, which was a welcome sight. She got right on to taking care of me and assessing my status. She checked my cervix and I was at a 6. She called the dr and told him my stats, he figured I still had a few hours left and was heading to another hospital to do a C-section, he planned on coming my way around 8 am.
I was finally sort of dozing when my nurse came in at about 7, she said that Molly was still looking great, but was showing signs of being lower into my birth canal. I guess when that happens, their heart rate accelerates just a bit with every contraction...due to the pressure they're getting on their body haha. She said that usually means baby is very close. Sure enough, I had gone from a 6 to a 10 in an hour! Luckily my water had not been broken, so as long as that stayed intact we could try to hang on and wait for the dr, who was literally right in the middle of a c-section. The nurse told me not to sneeze...I think she meant it haha! She checked on me frequently, and at about 8, she started getting a little antsy. She let the on call dr. know that he may need to come catch a baby!
I hung in there though, and my doctor came in at about 8:30. He really is a nice guy. He suited up, got things ready, broke my water, and after 4 contractions Molly was delivered!! It was the most relaxed, happiest delivery I've had so far. They put Molly right on my stomach and I got to watch Tage cut the cord. I do not remember being so calm, or aware of things with my other births. It really was wonderful! And seeing that little human that you've been working so hard on growing, and going through so much frustration and discomfort for...seeing that little face for the first time is indescribable. I loved her immediately. I felt so at peace with her, and with Tage, it was perfect. Molly weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz., she was just the perfect size. She snuggled right up to me after getting cleaned off, and was a champ at nursing right away.
My long night of labor really was the best way to do it, I think. There was no rush, my body went at it's own pace, and because of that I think Molly really benefited, and so did I. It was a great experience!!
Recovery was also great, we had nice nurses, Tage was an amazing help as usual, and Lila and Heidi got to visit twice. Lila was instantly in love, Heidi, was a bit too busy, but she did stop long enough to admire how cute baby Molly is, or wawee as Heidi would say. I did not get very good sleep the entire time in the hospital though, so exhaustion was really hitting me by the time we left. Also, Tage's snoring is the absolute worst haha! Especially when your up all night with a new baby!
As for Molly's name, Tage had the final say on her first name. Molly had always been on my list for my other girls, so when Tage picked it I was happy with it. As for her middle name, I think I had that decided that before Tage picked out her first name. My grandmother Lorna passed away just a few days after we found out Molly's gender. She was such a wonderful lady, and I like middle names to have some sort of sentimental meaning, so I knew right away that her middle name would be Lorna. I hope Molly got a Grandma Lorna hug before being sent down to us. I miss my grandma dearly, as does everyone who knew her, so her middle name sure means a lot to me!
We sure do love our Molly. I'm soaking up every squishy baby snuggle, I know these moments go by too fast, and before long she'll be running around like a little crazy person along with her sisters. She is such a perfect baby, I'm enjoying every sleepy, cranky, loved filled minute with my littles!