Twelve hours later . . .

and Kate makes her entrance!!!!
What a surprise! I had no idea when I had my husband take the belly shot that it would be just a short time later and I would have that belly no more, but a beautiful baby instead!

Georgia Kate was born on Valentine's Day at 9:18 am. What a wild ride and delivery! At 5:30 I woke up to a clunk and knew that her head had engaged since this happened with Ellie. I thought about calling my husband to come home as he had just left for work, since Ellie's labor had been so fast (2 1/2 hours), but I was having no contractions. Big mistake! Around 6:15 I started having very mild contractions about five minutes apart. Very mild, so I figured I was in early labor if that and had time. Claire woke up around 6:45 and I brought her upstairs. Contractions a bit more strong, but still short-15-20 seconds long. I called my husband's work and left a message as he was working out and not at his desk. At 7:00 I think this really may be it and with none of my last three labors lasting longer than 5 hours, I think it's a good idea to call the midwife as the birthing center is at least 45 minutes away in good traffic and we are now starting rush hour. She says to come on in when my husband gets home and we'll hang out and see what happens.

At 7:10 I call my husband again and he answers. By now I'm pretty sure this is it and tell him he needs to come home. Contractions still short, but more intense. I call the mom who I carpool with for Ellie's preschool and tell her I need her to take Ellie to school and bring her home. I call my neighbor and ask if the older kids can come over until time to go to school. Still thinking about what to do about Claire. Call our friend who always watches the kids when I'm delivering and she's on her way (about an hour away). Get Valentine stuff for my daughter Macy's class (I'm class mom and supposed to provide party supplies, cookies, etc.) and then call my back up parent and tell her that I don't think I will be making it to the party after all and can she come and get the supplies.

By 7:30 I know this is no false alarm and I'm worried. Trent finally arrives right when carpool mom does to take Ellie to her house until time for preschool. Claire goes with older kids to neighbor's until our other friend can get to our house. We leave the house sometime between 7:45 and 8:00. It is now the height of rush hour and the drive is SLOOOOOW. I move to the back seat so I can lay flatter and call the midwife. I am sure we are not going to make it and that I'm going to have the baby on the freeway. The midwife stays on the phone with me and talks me through each contraction. I start to feel pressure and I know this is it. She has me blowing out those birthday candles and it helps. Soon the pain is gone, but the pressure is intense. Trent reads off each exit as we get closer and traffic starts moving. We finally get to the birth center. Trent drives up on the sidewalk and they are ready to deliver in the car or at least on the floor of the birth center at the bottom of the stairs.

I manage to get out of the van, but I can feel the baby coming. At that moment I'm ready to drop down on the floor and give birth, but the pain stops and I run up the stairs to the birthing room. Five minutes (?) later Kate is born. Whew!

She weighed 10 lbs and measured 22 1/4" long. We left about 3 1/2 hours later and came home. Here we are right before we were ready to go home:

I feel really good and despite how fast my labor was, it was my easiest. I would have rather it been a little less stressful, but I'm glad it went as well as it did. Nursing is going extremely well and everyone is pleased with their new sister-even Ben! She did well her first night home.

I had a feeling she would come before her due date (which was the 16th) and I was right. All my others were 8-10 days past! Ben was pleased since he guessed she would be born on Valentine's Day. I had hoped to make her a going home outfit, but ran out of time. I think it was prophetic that the outfit I did buy to take her home in was covered in hearts. :)