We have arrived at Hospital...

*isn't this delivery gown adorable?  It was a gift to me from my dear friend Christy Grailer.  I felt so pretty in this!  All the nurses loved it!  The hilarious anesthesiologist said it was a hot mess.  Ha! 







We got to the hospital around 8:30.  They confirmed that my water definitely had broken.  I think I was still in shock and just so dang excited that I actually went into labor on my own.  It was everything I wanted!  They couldn't believe that I wasn't in a lot of pain.  I think I must have a high tolerance for pain.  After we got settled they told me that I could go walk around if I wanted.  I really wanted to get out of the bed and check out what was going on.  Mind you with my other 3 pregnancies I was never allowed to walk around due to the IV with Pitocin.  So once we started walking the contractions started to pick up.  They were about every 3 to 5 minutes a part.  I wasn't able to walk around as much as I thought I was.  We got back to the room and I was in a good bit of pain by then.  The nurse asked me if I was ready for my epidural and I said yes.  She then came back in room and told me that it was going to be a little while for the anesthesiologist to get to me.  She said that she could give me some pain medicine through my IV to hold me over until the doctor got there.  Of course I took her up on her offer.  She said that it would hit immediately and I would feel as though I had several margaritas.  Boy was she right.  I felt pretty dang good.  In no time the anesthesiologist was there quicker than the nurse thought.  He walked in and I was in La La land.  I felt like I was in twilight zone.  Ha.  So he was super friendly and asked a lot of questions about our family and was so excited that we did not know what we were having.  As everyone else was too.  Every nurse that was there that night was just so excited that we didn't know the sex.  So he started prepping me for the epidural and I was leaned over bed holding Eric's hands, as I always have done in the past.  Next thing I know, Eric is out cold on the floor.  He had passed out.  Mind you I am drunk and couldn't figure out what in the hell was going on.  The nurse was calling for back up, checking his blood pressure, and I was laughing ( I know that was bad of me).  He came to and was a little confused at first.  It took him no time to get his self together.  The nurses wanted to send him to the ER because as he went down he hit his head pretty good on the floor.  He convinced them that he was fine as I did too.  He was not going to miss the birth of this baby!  So they made him lay on the couch with ice on his head.  He was white as a ghost.  They made him lay there until he got his color back.  I was still in twilight zone and couldn't believe that that just happened.  Once we both realized he was fine neither one of us could stop laughing!  He said that he always hates the epidural part the most.  He can handle all the other but that.  He said that I was squeezing his hand and he started to feel light headed then that was it.  He has done this 3 other times and was fine.  It just really got to him this time.  The best part was him passing out totally took my mind off of the epidural going in.  So in the end it was a good thing if you ask me!  Ha!  We all were settled in and I was feeling great and not feeling a thing!  Soon after the nurse comes in and starts prepping the table for the delivery.  I asked her why she was doing this so early.  She said, "honey, your contractions are right on top of each other".  I think you are going to have this baby soon.  I was thinking I was going to be able to catch a good night sleep and wake up and have the baby.  I was wrong.  She checked me and I had went from a 5 to a 10 in 30 minutes.  Oh, my nurse was suppose to be off the clock at 12 am but she clocked out and stayed for the rest of the delivery because she was dying to know what I was having.  Super sweet nurse.  We just loved her!  She called the doctor and he was on his way.  He came in half a sleep Ha!  He got dressed and was ready for me to start pushing.  Game on...I pushed for 8 minutes and then.....

 

Thursday July 17th- Headed to Hospital!!!

FYI  I document this information for myself so I can look back and remember all the details...

 

 

Let the fun begin!!!  The day before I was having contraction off and on all day long.  Nothing consistent but all day long.  I continued with my day, went to the pool with the boys and Kim and her boys.  I was really feeling a lot of pressure.  That afternoon I just felt like something was going on.  Mind you I was 4cm and 80 % effaced on Monday when I went to doctor.  So I called my doctor and he told me to go ahead and come to the hospital and let them check me.  Eric and I had Pam come over and we headed out.  On the way to the hospital I called my mom and dad to give them a heads up.  I knew mama wanted to know at the sign of first pain. She did not want to miss anything and with them living 2 hours away I thought I should let them know.  I told them that it was up to them to come on in town or just wait until I was checked at hospital.  They decided to come on in and they stayed at Kim and Mason's house.  Eric and I got to the hospital around 8 pm and they checked me.  I was still the same.  They told me that we could stay and walk around for a couple of hours and then they would re check me or we could just go home.  I decided that there was no sense in staying to walk when we could come home and get some sleep.  So we left and came home.  So on Thursday we decided to go about our day as normal.  Since Mom and dad were in town she decided to make it a fun girls day.  Dad kept all the kids and Mama, Kim and myself headed out to a girls lunch at One Blue Duck.  It was a great little girls lunch and then we stopped at Mayfield Dairy for ice cream.  I was not having contractions consistent at all and actually felt great!  It seemed that everything had come to a stop.  I was completely fine with that.  The doctor was going to break my water on Monday if I haven't gone before then.  He said that he wouldn't have to induce because I had already progressed so much on my own.  So I knew that we were going to have a baby come Monday if I didn't go before.  So again, I was in no rush.  So after we got back from our girls day we got the boys from dad (he was going to visit a friend who lives here) mom, I and boys headed out to run a few errands.  We went to Costco and Target.  I was still feeling good just a little tired after being out all day.  When we got home Eric, Mom, Dad, and I were sitting in den talking.  Mom and Dad were curious what they should do as far as staying or leaving.  I was telling them that I thought they should just go back to Spartanburg because I didn't feel like the baby was going to come before Monday.  As soon as I said that I felt like my water had broke.  I quietly and calmly got up from the couch to head to the bathroom.  ( I was sure it wasn't pee b/c I didn't feel like I had to pee and I was didn't just sneeze...lol). As I started walking towards the bathroom Eric said, "Ellen you have something wet on the back of your dress".  I said, "I know, I think my water might have broken".  Ah the moment I have waited for has happened....I did it on my own...My water broke....Gosh the excitement was the best in this world.  It all worked out perfectly.  Mom and dad were already here so my kids were taken care of, it was just perfect.  As soon as I got myself together I called the doctors office.  The doctor on call asked if my contractions were bad and if they were 5 minutes apart.  I told here that they were not bad and that they were not consistent.  She told me to wait until they were 5 minutes apart before I go to the hospital.  Then she stopped and asked if I was dilated.  I told her I was 4cm and 80% effaced and 4 days over due.  She then asked was this my first pregnancy.  I told her no that this was my 4th and she said, "ok then you need to get yourself together and come up to the hospital as soon as you can".  I knew I needed to get there quick.  I showered and we headed out.  I was so excited and just waiting anxiously for the pain to set in.  I knew that I needed to eat but had no appetite.  We went thru Arby's drive thru and I think I only ended up eating about half of it.  Now the story will be continued.....

Due Date- Sunday July 13th

Today was my due date.  The baby was still comfy and cozy!  I love being pregnant!  I always feel so pretty and truly feel the best about myself when I am pregnant than not.  We cannot wait to meet this little baby! I had to be induced with my other 3 pregnancies for being late.  My doctor is going to let me go 2 weeks over this time.  I do not want to be induced unless necessary.  I really want to experience going into labor on my own.  Some people think that I am crazy.  However, I know that this baby is going to have to come out within the next 2 weeks.  So why in the world would I rush it? Pregnancy is a beautiful thing and I always hate when it is over.  It is such an amazing experience and I absolutely love everything about it.  Feeling your baby kick and move inside you is breath taking.  Its something you can never get back and its something that I know I will miss when its over.  I know at that point you then have the joys of having your baby to hold, kiss, and help grow.  Pregnancy just goes by so fast as well as children grow so fast.  So I like to enjoy and savor every second of this miracle that we have created!

 

Slip in Slide Fun with our Little Man!

July 11th- Dress like a Cow at Chick Fil A

 

We always do this every year.  This year I especially felt like a big cow...Only 2 days until my due date!  However I have the cutest little baby cows ever!  We ate breakfast and lunch and none of us could go back for dinner.  We were all chickened out! 

The boys doing a little something for their soon to be sibling

My sweet neighbor/ friend did some furniture for me for the babies room.  I had this old book case that she offered to let the boys help paint for the baby.  It was so sweet of her to have this idea.  All 3 boy loved doing this and had a great time.  This was such a fun and sweet memory.  They all got to help do something for the babies nursery! 

 

Where oh where is Georgia?

This girl is precious!  We love our Georgia.  She loves hanging out in our flower garden in the back yard!!

 

Mommy/Daddy and Foster day!

Grandma and Granddaddy took Henry and Walker to Medieval Times for part of Henry's Birthday present.  So we decided to have a fun afternoon with Foster.  He chose to go to Chuckie Cheese. He had such a great time.  He loves playing there and really enjoyed the one on one time with just us.  We then came home and he wanted to watch Frozen.  We had a great family movie night!  Love my family!! 

More 4th pics from Granddaddy's Camera

I just stumbled across these pics that Granddaddy took with his camera that we downloaded..

 

Happy July 4th

 

 

We had a wonderful 4th!  We celebrated with Grandma and Granddaddy.  We enjoyed the day hanging out at their house and pool.  Their neighborhood had a cook out at pool and had a live band.  It was a lot of fun.  We then headed back to their house to play and eat.  Granddaddy made around 200 water balloons for the boys and they thought they had died and gone to heaven.  They had a good ol fight in the back yard.  Lots and lots of laughs!  Grandma made a delicious meal, as always.  Of course we ended the day with fireworks in the driveway.  We all had a great time celebrating. 

 

 

Happy 4th from our home to yours

I had no idea Eric had snapped these pics of me until I downloaded them.  I am glad he did because it shows my belly good.  This was 9 days before my due date...

 

Eric was the camera man this day.  He was playing around with some of the settings and got some good close ups of the boys.  They all were so good so I just couldn't pick and decided to post them all.

 

Those eyes are killer

And this kid...Oh my so handsome!

 

I mean...could I be any more lucky?  All 3 of my boys are going to get all the ladies!

 

 

 

 

 

Competition never gets old with these 2.  Father and Son think they are kids too!  They sure do make Pam and I laugh!

 

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