Monday Monday

So, my love, you let us know 6 AM on Monday that you were ready to enter the world. Mommy took a shower and woke up daddy. We dropped off your brother at 8:30 and kept track of mommy's contractions. We called the doc office around 10ish—mommy's contractions were every 4-5 minutes and about 45 seconds long—and they said to head into labor and delivery. We got to triage around 11 AM and they hooked mommy up and checked your heartbeat. The midwife checked mommy and I was somewhere between 5 and 6 cm. So, we were admitted to Labor & Delivery. Dr. Guidice was on call. Around 1:30 mommy got her epidural. It worked great, but made mommy very itchy! Soon grandma and poppy and Diffy arrived. Mommy had stalled out at 6cm, so Dr. G broke mommy's water. The next few hours grandma and Diff scratched mommy's legs and we waited. Around 4ish, Dr. G checked mommy again and I was fully dilated and it was just a matter of you making your move. Around 4:45 we felt like it was time. Dr. G wanted mommy to do a few practice pushes ... but after only two it was obvious we didn't need to practice—you were ready! Dr. G got into his scrubs and they got the bed ready. Daddy was at mommy's side and Diffy had the camera. Mommy pushed through two contractions ... and you were born!

I remember looking up ... and trying to see what you were! And then Dr. G said, "It's a girl." And mommy was so surprised and so happy!!!! You looked just like your brother and were super slippery. They laid you on my belly for a few minutes and it was overwhelming and beautiful ... and I really couldn't comprehend everything that was going on. It all felt so quick. They took you to the warmer to dry you off and weigh and measure you. And daddy and Diffy kept telling me how beautiful you were.

A girl! A daughter. A little sister for Milo.

Finally, they brought you back over to mommy. My girl.