polkadots and lollipops: February 2013

Our sweet baby girl is here! She is such a joy! She's a snuggler, eats well, sleeps well and is pretty "go with the flow". The other 3 chickens refer to her as "the new baby" and have yet to actually call her by her name lol. They each do a wonderful job of helping to care for her. Annabelle and Linley are great at holding her and checking on her while she's asleep. Linley is known for sharing her gizzy with Caroline. Sam trades pacifiers with her and sings her songs, he also likes to pat the baby on the head (we continue to work on being gentle lol).

~My 4 Chickens~

It all started one Sunday afternoon........
Jonathan was out playing Army for 2 weeks in the field and my in-laws graciously agreed to come help me out for the weekend. I knew time was just about out and my To Do List was still growing (and honestly there is still a ton left on that same list that never got done). So Gigi and Grandpa rolled into town to give this momma some time to accomplish my tasks (at a snails pace). Gigi came bearing groceries and frozen meals. They both helped out so much and the chickens were so thrilled to have them visit. Jonathan snuck home Sunday and spent some time with us before they had to head back to Dallas. As we saw them off and thanked them for all their help and love, I began feeling an exhaustion set in and the pressure was building.

A few hours passed when the pressure turned into cramping and eventually it all became the beautiful pain of contractions- by 6:00 they were averaging 8 minutes apart. By now my husband had called 1SGT and made arrangements to stay home with us. I sent him to get some crab rangoon (of all the things in the world- this is what came to mind?!). By now I got a text from Grandpa and Gigi saying they had made it back home safely- I replied that the contractions had started but I wasn't sure they were heading anywhere. What horrible timing- I wished I had known before they drove the 5 hours back home! Like only parents will do, they got back in the car and headed south for another 5 hour drive. We spent our last evening as a family of 5 hanging out, watching movies and relaxing. I took a warm bath every hour at least 8 hours in a row to help with the pain (can't wait for that water bill). Shortly before midnight the in-laws were back here- Jonathan settled them in while I took yet another bath and we all tried to get a little sleep.

The week of

It was 2am when the pain woke me up- I was thankful for the rest. I remember saying a little prayer for how the pieces had all fallen together and God's perfect timing- we had loving care takers for the older children, my husband was here throughout the process, I was holding it together and laboring at home in peace. I still wasn't completely convinced that this was real labor- it had only been 12 hours of contractions- duh what else could it be?! I always talk myself out of these things in fear of going to the hospital and having to stay there in the early stages. I've been there and done that- trapped in a bed, using a bed pan to pee, blood pressure cuff, the IV, annoying monitors across my stomach- NO THANKS! I was determined to do most of this at home, by myself, no matter the pain! So again, I took a warm bath. "Every contraction is getting us closer to having a baby, this is good pain, you got this, you've done this twice before don't wimp out, remember Linley's induction it was not fun hold out as looooong as you can, women have been having babies for thousands of years- most without a drug option, Mary had Jesus in a barn, stay clam and collected or Jonathan will wake up and make you go in now" all the head talk was helping but it was time to face the facts these things were getting a lot closer and this bathtub wasn't the place to do this. I woke up the hubs, shoved my stuff in my bag, and headed to the kitchen to make a peanut butter sandwich (another thing I despise about the hospital are their policies about not eating or drinking!).

I can't recall what time we actually arrived at the hospital (3 something), but I do remember how long it took me to walk to the elevators. The tile on the hospital floor was amazing for contractions- there are mirror piece in it that reflect the light and that was working for me (random and weird fact) as I very slowly made my way to L&D. It was a bit past 4am when we got into our room. Our staff was amazing!!!! My nurse was wonderful- very cheery, upbeat, calm and reassuring. The Dr was super nice too- we even placed a bet on the weight of the baby- if he guessed the weight within a quarter of a pound he'd get a sticker. He won that bet and I still owe that guy a sticker lol! It had been about an hour when I asked my nurse to check the progress (things were pretty intense now!). I was weighing my options as my collectiveness was giving way. She looked at me and said this was the last chance for an epidural, Jonathan tried his best to get me to take the relief. I remember laughing as best I could as I told the nurse this was all part of my "evil plan"- I wanted to trick myself into waiting too long! I realized we were nearly there and there was no point in giving in this close- drug free it would be!

In comes the Dr, he broke my water at 9.5cm and in 5 minutes we were complete and pushing away! I remember thinking at this stage, that having a baby 5 years ago was so much easier. Pushing, pushing, pushing, ice chips was my rhythm. My husband was great motivation and ice chips guy! It was hot in there and I was so darn thirsty- "I need a sonic drink break" I thought. I can usually tell when the pushing is finally profitable- Jonathan's voice gets more excited! At last her head is coming out- it's about time- but my body wouldn't or couldn't get her out! "Oh no- you've got to get this done or they're gonna bust out the forceps or vacuum" it only took this one thought to pop the rest of baby girl into the world! Fear driven pushin I call it! There she was all new and shinny. As my older girls can tell you, babies are born covered in goo- this held true for Caroline. She was perfect and crying that most wonderful cry you can ever hear! I held her as Daddy cut the cord. Team Haines complete- uterus closed up- heart overflowing!

Caroline Elizabeth born at 5:41
February 11, 2013
7pounds 5ounces

We got moved to the Mother/Baby unit and settled in. She was eating well from the get go and I was enjoying her snuggles! Jonathan picked up breakfast for us- breakfast tacos (a genuine SA thing for sure lol!). After meeting your baby the second best thing after delivery is taking a shower- so that was in order. Then it was resting time as best as you possibly could with all the nurses in and out. All was well:)

momma and baby

daddy and Caroline

We had visitors after school- the Haines gang came to meet "the new baby"! The girls were excited to hold her but Mr Sam was in a rather foul mood- it was a short visit. We spent the next day resting and this little girl ate and ate and ate! We got released Wednesday mid morning and headed home. The evening flew by with feedings and the usual routine. The next day was Valentine's day (our due date) and the changing of the guard- our parents did a switch a roo. Gigi and Grandpa headed back to Dallas and Grandma flew in from KC. Caroline had her first checkup and did great! We tried to find our footing with car seats, grocery trips, strollers and school pick up.....happy to say I think we've found it now after a couple weeks and Grandma's help we got the hang of it!

sister love

the Haines family

Grandma and Callie

A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY IN-LAWS & MOM

Mission Accomplished

We couldn't have made such a smooth transition without your help! The laundry washed, clothes folded, carpets vacuumed, meals cooked, and time spent with the kiddos was more help than you'll ever know! We are happy to have shared these precious days with each of you- thank you for being a part of Caroline's big welcome!

polkadots and lollipops

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Twins?

Guten Tag- We Are Moving to Germany!

Caroline Elizabeth