Monday, December 19, 2011

She finally arrived!






She was 5 agonizing days late, but Elizabeth Mae Ricks has finally arrived! She was born December 16, 2011 at 2:45 am. She was 9 lbs 2 oz and 21" long. By far my biggest baby. I was afraid she'd be big since she was late, but it could have been worse!

Here's the quick story. I was expecting her to be born the weekend of December 11 (her due date), so when that weekend came and went I was getting pretty frustrated. The next Tuesday I was having contractions 2 separate times that were pretty regular, then they just stopped. So annoying! Thursday I had another appointment and was going to ask to be induced but since it's so close to Christmas I didn't think they'd be able to get me in until the next week. But to my surprise they said I could go into the hospital the next day (Friday, Dec. 16). Since I'm Group B positive they wanted me to go in that night to start the antibiotic, then they'd induce that morning and I'd probably have her by noon. Sounded great! We made arrangements for someone to watch the kids while Tony took me to the hospital, then he was going to come home, sleep with the kids, get them off to school the next day and get back to the hospital in time to start the induction.

So that's what we did. He took me to the hospital, got me all hooked up and went home to bed around 10:00. I tried to sleep but about 11:00 I was having contractions (on my own) but because of earlier in the week I tried to ignore them. This time, however, they were getting really painful and closer together. So around 1:00am I called Tony and told him I thought I was already in labor. He called our friend back and got back to the hospital by 1:30. The nurses checked me and I had gone from a 2 when I got there to a 6. So we called for an epidural. The guy took forever to get there, but once he did I felt so much better. Now that I wasn't in constant pain I actually started falling asleep when the doctor came in and said it was time to push. So I pushed twice through 1 contraction and Elizabeth was born at 2:45am! Tony and I slept for a few hours then Tony went home to get the kids ready for school. Then he came back to sleep with me and Elizabeth. My doctor's were great and let me come home Saturday afternoon instead of Sunday morning.

The funnest part of all this is Gracie's birthday is December 17. So now we have 2 birthdays 2 days in a row! Gracie had a great birthday visiting us in the hospital, getting "smoothies" with dad (they were really Icee's) and playing with friends all day. I think this works out better than having their birthdays on the same day. This way they each get their own special day!

8 comments:

Jennifer said...

She's beautiful! and seriously is that Clara? We've had a hard time convincing ourselves she could be so grown! We need to come take a family pic! :). Please tell everyone hello!

lindsey said...

congrats! she is so cute!

Meagan @ Meagan Tells All said...

CONGRATS NICOLE!!! She is beautiful and those cheeks are to die for chubby. You are a mother of 5!!! I can't believe it! SO exciting for you and your family. More updates and pictures please!

jeffandbecca said...

I told Tony I thought about you all that week - I am glad she finally came and all is well. Clara is too cute in those glasses. Congrats!

Tena Holdaway said...

Congratulations, we are so happy for you and your family.

Tricia said...

Congratulations Ricks family!!!! We love you guys!

Mrs. Blimes said...

How did I miss this!?! Congratulations! She is so beautiful!

meg said...

Oh yay! Congrats and welcome to your little sweet one! Missing you on this side of the USA. Thanks for posting. I need to get on the ball and do the same! Thanks again for the update! Those kids are so lucky to have you guys as their parents. (And you can tell them I said so.)