Maria Juliette

Maria was born on Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at 1:58 P.M. I went to work that morning, and around 12:15, I noticed some very mild tightening feelings. They were coming and going, but were very fast, lasting only about 5 to 10 seconds. I talked to some friends at work, including one who was a paramedic. We were very excited, and the paramedic (Jyll) started timing and said they were 3 minutes apart. They were so mild and quick that I couldn't believe they were contractions. We walked around a little, and they continued. Jyll said she was going to call an ambulance for me because she didn't think I'd make it to the hospital in time, given the contractions were only 3 minutes apart. There was no way I was going to the hospital in an ambulance! I didn't even believe that this was labor! I called my husband. He was at home with Annie. While on the phone with him, my friends convinced me to go to the hospital. I told Greg to pack up Annie and meet me there. My good friend Lori offered to take me to the hospital. I was still not convinced I was going to have a baby that day, and told my friends that when I saw them the next day, I'd better not hear anything smart! All my bags were packed in my car, as I was dilated to 2 cm at 35 weeks and last week on Wednesday, I was 4 cm. December 10 was a day past my due date, and my first baby was 4 days early! While on the way there, I was finally convinced that yes, these were contractions, and they were now 2 minutes apart.

We get to the hospital and get checked in. Lori helps get people out of the way and works on the paperwork. I get changed and at 1:20, I get checked. The nurse asks me to guess where I am. I say 5. No. 6? No. 7? No. 8? She nods. EIGHT! Yes, she says, going on 9. OMG! My husband arrives and Lori leaves. Soon, the doctor shows up, and so do my sister, mom, and dad. Annie is out in the waiting room with her Grammy. So, things are progressing quickly! My sister says the really, really intense contractions started at 1:50. I think I had 2 or 3 pushing contractions and she was out. My legs were barely in the stirrups, and the bed was still in the low position. My water broke JUST BEFORE she came out, and Maria had a BM while still in there, so a neonatologist suctioned her out for quite some time before I held her. She was just fine at 7 lbs., 12 oz., and 19 and 1/4 inches long. Almost a pound and a half bigger than Annie! And just as beautiful.

We came home today and are enjoying life with our newest addition. We are truly blessed to have 2 beautiful, healthy little girls!

To our families - Thank you so much! We couldn't do it without you!