Elliana Marie

She's here! Has been for 8 weeks actually, and I'm just now making the time to post about her birth. Been a little busy with two kids in the house! Elliana was born on May 24th at 7:47am. My contractions started on Fri night at 11:30pm. Rob and I were just going to bed when I felt a twitch in my back. About 5 min later it came again. I looked over to Rob and said, "i think I'm having a contraction!" He just said, "oh yeah..." nonchalantly, and rolled over. Well, I figured I was on my own, for the first bit anyway. i finished packing all of my bags, and cleaned up around the house. I didn't want to phone my mom too soon, 'cause she was coming with us to the hospital. I phoned the hospital after an hour of contractions, and they told me to wait one more hour, and then come in. So at 1:30am, my mom and dad came over. My dad was staying at our house with Ryken , and after we stood together and prayed, my mom, Rob & I left for the hospital. I was feeling really excited to get this going, but a bit anxious about the whole process!
We arives at the hospital at 2:00am, and after the nurse checked me, she said i wasn't even dilated yet. Arghhh!!! They sent us back home! Iwas sooo disappointed, and felt bad for waking my mom up. We all went back to my parents place, and tried to get some sleep. Well, they did. I didn't. The contractions were steady the whole time, and at 4:10am, my water broke. Then the contractions really got strong. We got to the hospital at 5:00am, and they checked me again. 1-2cm! This couldn't be happening! Iwas thinking the 2nd would be a lot faster, and I was barely dilated. At 6:30am i was 4 cm, and finally asked for something for the pain. I had laughing gas, and it did absolutely nothing. I remember looking at my mom and saying, "I'm not laughing yet!" i threw up a few times, which i absolutely hate doing, but Rob was so supportive and there to help. Every contraction i got, he was there to push on my lower back. ALL back labor. I didn't even feel it in my stomach. My mom was such a support as well, and kept handing me ice chips. Which was really helpful. There was a shortage of nurses, and an overage of women having babies! It was pretty much us 3 doing it on our own, and I liked it that way. At 7:30 i was 6 cm, and asked for something stronger to help the pain. I had phentanol(spelling?) in the iv, and that immediately relaxed me. The contractions had been so intense, and i was exhausted from the pain and lack of sleep. I had a good rest between contractions, and Rob thought that i looked dead. I was quite out of it 'till the next contraction came. I told them i had to push but they said to wait. It felt like i was being ripped in half! Then they checked me again and said I could push. While I was pushing, my legs totally cramped. But then it went away. My mom later told me that they put a needle in my leg, which is why they relaxed so quickly. After 3 pushes she was here! the nurse said" it's a girl!" I looked at her in the doctors hands all stretched out and screaming her head off! From 6 cm dilated to seeing my baby in about 15 min! It is absolutely amazing to me, how the pain was instantly gone. With tears in my eyes, i looked at Rob, and my mom. I had squeezed both of their hands so tight, i was hoping I hadn't hurt them! The first thing I said was, "It's a girl! We're done!!!" Then I added, "ohh, we need to go shopping!" They put her to my chest right away, but she was not interested in feeding. I looked at my little girl, while she wailed away. Her cheeks were so chubby! she had a double chin already, and rolls at the back of her neck. The sweetest little rosebud lips, and dark hair. I couldn't believe she was finally here. The doctor asked me her name, and I said "Elliana Marie. It means 'My God has answered me." He said, "that seems about right."
She was 8lbs, 9 1/2 oz, and 22 inches long. A big girl! Rob's mom came in to work that morning, and gave her, her first bath. My dad came with Ryken and he was a little nervous, but very curious. he climbed on to the bed with me and looked at his new sister. We got a few pics, and then my mom and dad went to get something to eat, while Ryken stayed with us to get acquainted with this new baby girl. He was especially interested in how she was going to eat! He said, " mommy, she's chewing on you!" Quite cute. After about an hour, my parents came back, and took him home. There were no rooms for us, or even available beds, for that matter. We stayed in the case room the entire time. try taking a nap, with women screaming all around you! At 12:00pm we decided to go home. I was feeling great, and Elliana was eating well. My sister and her husband, had come for a visit, just as we were leaving. We decided to meet at my parents for lunch the next day, because we were celebrating Justin's birthday. Elliana was born on the same day as her Uncle.
On they way home there was an accident on the abby/mission bridge. We sat in traffic for about 40min. Not what I wanted to do! Elliana slept through the whole thing, and we even stopped for Tim Hortons. Ryken came home a few hours later, and we struggled through our first night with her. All she wanted to do was nurse! Ryken didn't wake up with her crying, at least. I finally broke out the soother, and that seemed to do the trick.
Now she's on more of a shedule, and sleeping so well at night. 8 hours the other night! She is a wonderful baby, and very content. Ryken is such an amazing big brother, and loves to "pet" her. The first day home, he held her for 1/2 an hour!
we love our new addition, and she seems to complete our family. It's hard to believe she's only 8 weeks. I can't really think of us without her. she's perfect. And I can't believe I thought I'd have a hard time loving her. It is still a bit different, because we just met! But when she smiles at me, my heart melts, and I am completely in love with my baby girl.