I figured it was about time to document some details about my labor and delivery of Bridget. This was the first time I was scheduled to be induced and it was so nice to just wake up, shower, and go have a baby. I got there probably around 6:45. It seemed like it took them forever to get me started (it was one of the nurse's first day) and then once they did get me started, the IV didn't go in right, so my hand and forearm swelled up. That wasted an hour and really frustrated me. But, the good news is that that was the worst part of my labor! So after the 3rd try of the IV, the pitocin started flowing and I labored from 9:30 until noon. This was the first time I had experienced real labor contractions without my water having broken first. They really weren't that bad and since I was afraid an epidural would slow things down, I wanted to put off getting it as long as I could. But then the doctor came after 12 and broke my water, and the next contraction after that was WAY more intense, so I said, "Okay, I'm ready for that epidural" and wouldn't you know, the nurse said that they had 3 requests all at once, so I would have to wait my turn. I was like, "oh crap" and I was having flashbacks of Levi's labor (it went pretty fast and the anesthesiologist didn't come until I was fully dilated and trying not to push the baby out while waiting for the doctor to come, so, no epidural that time). I was afraid things would get pretty painful before he came, but luckily it really wasn't that bad and he came faster than I expected. So I got the epidural and got so relaxed I took a couple of naps! Besides taking longer than I expected or wanted it to, this labor was the easiest. By the time the doctor was on his way, I was feeling some SERIOUS pressure down there and I could lift my legs pretty easily, so I think the epidural had worn off just a little bit. I thought it was perfect. When the doctor came he told the nurse to have me start pushing while he got all suited up. So I pushed once and he promptly stopped me because the head was coming out and he wasn't ready yet. So then he was making me laugh saying things like, "don't cough or sneeze or that baby will come out" and the nurse said the baby's head was going in and out as I was laughing, so that made me laugh even more. Only one and a half pushes later Bridget was born at 4:30 pm...I sure do love that feeling of release when they come out, followed by that rush of emotion at seeing your baby for the first time. AMAZING.
The girls came each day I was in the hospital to take turns holding Bridget. Poor Levi couldn't come to the hospital because he got a fever while I was in labor and had them off and on for a couple days. We think it was Fifth disease (also known as slapping cheek disease) because his cheeks were bright red, so we did our best to keep him away from the baby after we brought her home. It was difficult because he LOVES her so much. 
When he wakes up the first thing he does is go see "Baby Bridget". They all love holding her, but Levi definitely loves it the most. He doesn't do it anymore, but the first couple weeks he would totally giggle while holding her...especially if she made noises.
We are still getting used to the fact that we have 4 children! How did that happen? We want to thank all those who have commented and called and visited and given presents. It means a lot! Stay tuned for posts of preschool graduation, dance recital, baby blessing, and more!
