And baby makes 5!

This time last Saturday evening I was in labor!

I had an uneventful remainder of the week. Greg took Declan to see "Surf's Up" and my Mom and I were hemming the panels for my sliding glass door. Around 4:00 I felt some contractions, but wasn't going to even write them down, as I had done 3 or 4 times over the previous week. After about the 4th contraction I figured I had better start keeping track of them. At 5:00 we met the boy's at the Spaghetti Factory for dinner. Contractions continued through out dinner.

Once we got home I laid down to see if the contractions stopped like they had previously. At 7:30 Greg was going to help me go lay down upstairs when *thankfully* my water broke and I knew it was time to go to the hospital!

We were in the Labor and Delivery room by 8:15, and I was ready to get my epidural at 8:16. Well, it turns out I didn't end up getting it until about 9:45, which is just cruel and unusual punishment if you ask me. It's pretty much a pain-blurred memory for me, but it seems like it took forever for the relief to begin. I think the nurse thought there would not be enough time for the epidural, but she kept telling me there was.

At 11:05 our world was blessed with Maren Claire. Sweet. Tiny. Beautiful. She weighed in at 7 lbs, and was 20" long. Amazing.

I guess baby #3 doesn't mess around. I think I earned a little bit of bragging rights! Oh, did I mention that it was 'back labor'? Yeah. Fun.

I felt GREAT after I had her, could barely believe how 'easy' it was to actually deliver her. She was fine (which is always a concern), I was relieved, the pain was finally over and I felt great! And then I puked.

But just look at this sweet face, it is all worth it!

My Mom brought the kids by the next morning to meet their new sister. Teagan was glad to see Greg and I. Declan was thrilled to finally meet 'Baby Maren' and wanted to hold her right away. Then he sang "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star" to her and it made me cry!

Let me tell you, this girl is just too sweet! Last night we slept from 11:30 to 4:30 - yep, 5 hrs straight! I didn't even sleep 5 hrs straight when I was pregnant. I was worrying it was because she is a little jaundiced, but I think it's because she knows her Mommy likes to sleep!