On Thursday night we had a knock at the door. Not expecting anyone, I was a little surprised. I opened the door to find my Dad standing there with a smile on his face. He had been asked by Joe to come over and give me a blessing. It still brings tears to my eyes thinking back on how much that meant to me. Knowing how difficult the pregnancy was on me, they both knew the delivery would be the more difficult task for me. The words of comfort in the blessing could not have been more perfect. The ones that stood out the most to me and were exactly what I needed to hear "Be calm, Be still...all will be well" Such simple yet powerful words. I knew at that moment my Father in heaven was aware of me and wanted me to know that he was going to bless our family with a safe and healthy delivery.
Joe and I arrived at the hospital at 5 am. That walk to labor and delivery seemed like miles. My heart was beating at least 1000 times a minute. They had me change into the hospital gown and started my IV and it only took them FOUR tries to get it! Right at 7:00 they had me walk to the operating room. It was the room I had been dreading since I found out I was pregnant. To my surprise though...no one was rushing. There was music playing and nurses laughing and congratulating me. It was relaxed. They had me sit on the table to get my spinal block and then laid me down to start the surgery. Joe finally walked in just as Dr. Thompson started the first incision. There was no panic or major anxiety. Just the anticipation of what would happen once they finally pulled the baby out. The doctors talked about camping, pizza and vacations as they worked. It was the best thing because last time the silence in the room was deafening. I welcomed any conversation they wanted because I knew it meant "All was well".
Finally, it was the moment I had been waiting for. They told me she was just about to come out. I took a deep breath and waited. I was waiting to hear a cry...a peep...anything but the silence we heard last time. At last the most beautiful noise ever filled the entire room. She was screaming....it was perfect. I immediately broke into tears. I had waited so long to hear that cry. The doctor brought her around and I was able to see my perfect little baby for the first time. They started to clean her off as Joe was taking picture after picture. Once she was in a blanket Joe walked her over to me. She was so beautiful. He held her face to mine and I was able to kiss her little cheek. The nurse took a picture of the 3 of us and then off to the nursery she went.
I was in recovery for about an hour and then they took me to my room. I was so anxious to see her and hold her. About 3 hours after she was born they brought her to my room. She was sound asleep. They lifted her to me and I finally was reconnected with my little girl. I examined every single part of her and sure enough....nothing but perfection. She weighed in at 7 lbs 14 oz and was 20.5 inches long. We spent the next few days getting to know each other in the hospital. I loved our time together in the wee morning hours. I was able to nurse her and she would just snuggle as close to me as she could get.
The adventure I had dreaded and anticipated had finally come to an end. Our family was finally all here on earth. We have 3 gorgeous girls and 1 amazing and handsome son. Our new addition fits wonderfully into our lives. She is everything we needed and more. I will be forever thankful for a doctor who took the time to care for me the way I needed. Who put up with all my crazy questions and requests. And of course I'm forever thankful to my Heavenly Father, for giving me the comfort of another healthy child and allowing our family to close on a very positive note.
