Melanie's birth story

So I hit 40 weeks, to the great surprise of my doctor, and was totally miserable. I had been walking around at 3-4 cm for two weeks and I was feelin it. I was literally a ticking time bomb.

At my 40 week checkup I was given the option to do as I pleased because everything looked perfect (and according to my doctor she was shocked I hadn't had this baby the previous week). I said "Are you free tomorrow?" To my great surprise, she was! As I had thought all along, Mel would be born on Friday. So that night, just like the night before we went to the hospital with Reed, we went to BJs for dinner. It was nice to do something as just the three of us. Reed had a really yummy dinner and even got dessert! I figured he deserved it.

Silly boy with Daddy

Reed and Mommy

Yummy chocolate dessert!

So we showed up at the hospital the next morning around 7, very grateful to not be fighting traffic on 35. It gets crazy, especially with the construction now.

We got checked it to lucky room #13. I made a crack about it and the nurse said very seriously, "No, 13 is actually a happy room. You don't want room #4." I chuckled a little, but then we hightailed it away from that end of the hallway.

We had to be induced with Reed so we were pros at the whole process. My L&D nurse Ashley was sweet and got us all taken care of. The IV was the worst (I almost passed out getting it with Reed and it happened again this time). For anyone worrying about an epidural being painful, I am here to tell you it is a piece of cake compared to an IV.

So I am all hooked up and have my pitocin started at 7:45. I asked at what time I could get my epidural and Ashley said whenever. Reed came pretty quickly and considering I was already 5 cm I knew Mel would be faster, so I got that sucker ordered. By 8:30 I had my epidural, and not a moment too soon because I was in serious pain.

My doctor came by at 9 to break my water and then we hung out. I was so warm and comfortable that I dozed for a while. Wes busied himself watching the monitors (which he claimed was interesting).

Very 'exciting' monitors

Doing good!

At 11 (only 3 hours into it) Ashley said we were ready to have a baby. Woohoo! I had a feeling we were getting close, so I was glad she agreed. She called my doctor and we waited for her to show up.

When my doctor showed up it took about 3 pushes and Melanie was here! A very quick labor and delivery (about 3.5 hours).

She was extra 'gooey'

Thanks Dr. Hardt!

Daddy and daughter

Mommy and daughter

Our sweet Mel!

I was truly shocked when the nurse said Mel was 8 pounds. I knew she'd be bigger than Reed, but not by 2 pounds! And longer by an inch as well. They do share a striking resemblance though.

Enjoy!

The Turners