Happy Labor Day!

And when I say Labor Day, I mean labor day! That's right, the newest member of our family arrived on Monday, September 5 at 8:30pm and IT'S A GIRL, Cora Belle Stier, 6lbs. 13 oz.!

We spent our last day as a family of three on the lake. We went to my parents by boat and enjoyed a beautiful day!

As I mentioned before, I have been on meds for preterm labor which I quit taking when my cerclage (the stitch to prevent my cervix from shortening) was removed at 37 weeks, Friday, August 26th. At my routine check my cervix was very thin but I was only 1 cm. In the wee hours of Monday morning I kept getting up to potty. At first I thought it was my usual deal, but after about the 5th time I wondered why my contractions were waking me up? Duh?! It finally dawned on me, I'm in labor! I got up around 5:45 and started doing dishes and laundry and anything to keep myself busy. When Lily woke up we hung out and cuddled over cartoons.

 A friend of ours entered Chapin's Labor Day parade and Pat was supposed to be Santa while Lily and I rode along with other friends. When he woke up I told him he could participate but I would be sitting this one out. (He thought it would be cool if we had to stop the parade because I was ready to have the baby) We all ended up staying home and Pat worked on getting some things done while I labored. By 10:30 the contractions were starting to get stronger so I sent my texts and made my calls to let everyone know. 

It is an interesting thing to do with a toddler around. I started off with a slight cringe, Lily responded, "You tired, Mommy? You go lay on the couch. Watch my movie." As things progressed I would get to hear, "Mommy, what you doing? Why you do that, Mommy?" repeatedly for 45-60 seconds! That helps you relax, let me tell you! By the time we were leaving my sweet little girl was saying, "Mommy, please don't cry. Don't cry, Mommy." 

As I entered the hospital I immediately had a contraction. As I braced myself on the wall to breathe through it, a women stopped to ask if I was okay. The timing couldn't have been better, she was a labor and delivery nurse that had just been called in. As we waited for the elevator Pat came in from parking the car. We followed her through the halls and in the back way. From there it was pretty routine. They checked me and got me to a labor and delivery room with an epidural on the way. My water broke during the epidural prep but I didn't realize that's what it was until the anesthesiologist was done. The nurse checked and I was 5 cm. The next time I was 8-9. This labor went so much more quickly than with Lily. That made me happy but I wondered if the delivery would be the same (quick and easy!)?  I was relieved that it was! Less than 5 hours after arriving at the hospital it was go time. Two pushes later I saw my baby! I was excited to have the same midwife I did with Lily. She instructed me to do as I did almost 3 years ago; I reached down and grabbed a tiny body pulling HER to my chest! She is perfect!

The moment Lily and Cora met was so much fun! Lily loves her! She cried, "My sister, my sister!" when they took her to the nursery for lab work. Over the last 5 days she has been a big help and doesn't seem to be phased in the shift of our household. I love when she looks at her and says, "Mommy, her so cute. Her so adorable!". Or, "Where's my baby?", "I want to hold my baby". I never had a sister so I am excited for them to have that special bond that only sisters do! I know there will lots of arguing and crying in our future but I am so happy to have 2 healthy, sweet and beautiful baby girls!

Everything went well with Cora in the hospital but just like last time, my body seems to think I gave birth to multiples. I am blessed with enough milk for 2 or 3 babies so we had a little setback in weight her first day home (due to my engorgement) but we worked it out and by the following day she gained almost 3 oz.! We have been doing great ever since. I also feel wonderful! (besides the few extremely uncomfortable days of being engorged) I have run a few quick errands and this morning we kept with our regular Saturday morning routine, plus one!

I am thankful everything went smoothly and everyone is happy and healthy. I am looking forward to settling into our new normal! In case you haven't seen enough...

When we brought Cora home Lily immediately ran to her and wanted to hold her.

Happy after bath time!

Our new bedtime routine.

Being smothered with love!

Lily made up a lullaby for Cora:

Don't cry baby,

Don't cry all day.

I right here all the days,

all the days.

All the days,

I'll be right here.

I'll be right here, all day, all day.

The End

*It took me a few days to finish this posts so the time frame might not be accurate. And for anyone interested in seeing all of the adorable videos I have taken, I have put them on YouTube!