Molly's Birth Story

I love reading birth stories! Here is Molly's birth story: 

I woke up at 4:30 AM  feeling my pelvis pop. I knew it wasn't my water breaking because I'd felt it several times over the past few weeks, but this time I couldn't fall back asleep afterward. I started shaking all over like I couldn't get warm. It reminded me of how I was shaking when I was in labor with Ava. This continued for a couple hours until I got in the bathtub and poured hot water all over me. I finally got the shaking to stop around 6:30 and told Thomas to go ahead and go to work. I was having mild contractions that were 5-7 minutes apart, but I didn't think they would be the real thing.

I was in a lot of pain, so I called Ava's daycare teacher and asked if I could please drop her off since I knew there was no way I could take care of her and labor at the same time. Thomas left for work and I called my OBs office the minute they opened to see if they could get me in to check me. I didn't want to go to triage to get checked and have to pay for them to tell me to go home. My doctor said he'd be more than happy to see me (he had checked me Monday and I was supposed to go back Wednesday anyways). 

I was in so much pain at this point. Trying to get a toddler ready when you're in labor is no fun. I told Ava we were going to Mrs. Julie's and we had to go. She, of course, didn't understand why momma was being so mean and rushing her and why I couldn't carry her. I dropped her off and got to the doctor around 9:15. They called me back and the nurse commented on how much lower I was carrying than the day before. We listened to Molly's heart and her heart rate was very high (180-190). The nurse told me to make sure to mention it to my doctor. When he came in to check me (still 1.5 cm like on Monday) I told him about her heart rate and he decided to put me on the monitors to watch it for a little bit. I was hooked up to the machine for all of 5 minutes before he decided that I was in labor and that her heart rate was so high because of the contractions. He told me to go straight over to the hospital and that I would be having my baby today! 

I called Thomas and told him. I didn't bring any of our hospital bags or anything with me to the appointment because I was so sure I wasn't going to need them. I drove across the parking lot and waited to get admitted. 

Around 11 I got my room and waited for them to start pitocin. My doctor came in around 12 to check me and break my water. From the time I left his office to then, I had progressed to 3 cm without any pitocin. I started my IVs at 12 and got an epidural shortly after that. After a couple hours I was still only at 4 cm, so my nurse turned me on my side and put the peanut ball between my legs to help me dilate faster. It definitely worked. My contractions were getting very intense and my epidural didn't work completely on one side of my abdomen. I was completely dilated by 4:30 or so and was ready to push as soon as my doctor walked in. They prepped the room and got everything ready and told me i could start pushing. I was holding my legs and had 4 pushes before she was out! It was SO fast!

I got to hold her as soon as she was born and while Thomas cut the cord. They took her off and did all  her measurements while my doctor stitched me (I had a 2nd degree tear) and then they brought her back and we were able to attempt breastfeeding. She latched for a little bit and it felt so much more natural than it did with Ava.  I'm glad I had so much experience breastfeeding Ava. It definitely helped. Molly was born at 4:58 pm. 7 lb 12 oz. 20 inches long. She is such a sweet baby and we love her so much! 

6 months!!

You turned 6 months old a couple of weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to writing this post. I'm not too worried about the timeliness of it, though. Spending time with you is more important. 
This month you started pulling up to standing! I can't believe how much you have grown and learned. It's amazing to watch you figure out new things. You are crawling all over the place and can sit up very well. You haven't been sleeping very well, but we are working on that. I'm glad that I have the summer off to help you develop good sleep habits. You have definitely started to have some separation anxiety. You cry as soon as I leave the room. As long as there is another person in the room with you, you don't cry, though. You babble all the time and say "bababa" which I think is you trying to say "Bar Bar" since you love the puppies so much. 
You love to eat veggies and fruits. You don't like meats, yet, but we will work up to those. You are still nursing like a champ. I never knew how much I would love nursing, but it is one of my favorite parts of being your mama. 
You had your 6 month check up last week and Dr. Wallace was astounded that you are already crawling and sitting up so well. I knew you would be a fast learner, though. ;) You are 27.5 inches long and weigh 14 lbs 2 oz. You are VERY tall and VERY skinny. Everyone always comments on how small you look, but to me you look so big! 
I love you so much, Ava Lynn. You and your daddy are my most favorite people in the world. I am so happy it's summertime and I get to spend so much time with you!! 

FIVE MONTHS!

Ava Lynn, how are you already 5 months old?! I can't believe how fast time is flying by. You weigh 12 lbs 13 oz. I'm not sure how tall you are, but I'm guessing over 26 inches by now. You are one long baby! This month you started sitting up and crawling! I can't believe how soon you started crawling. Even your doctor said not to expect you to crawl before 6 months, but you like to show everyone how smart you are. I think it helps that you see the other babies crawling at Mrs. Julie's house. You love going to Mrs. Julie's. You have so much fun playing with the other kids there and they love you, too! I love when I drop you off and the big kids come to see you and tell you good morning. They like to sing songs to you and play with your hair :) You have slept through the night 3 times now (although not 3 times in a row...haha). You usually wake up at least once a night still. I'm okay with it because I get extra snuggles. You are so worth every minute of sleep I lose. You are eating every 3 hours. You nurse when you're home and take about 5 oz of breastmilk when you're at Mrs. Julie's. You're a lot better at nursing now that you're older. It was so hard in the beginning, but I'm glad I've stuck with it. You have been eating oatmeal cereal and squash this month. You're a big fan of both of them! You like to take the spoon away from me and try to feed yourself. 
I love you so much, Ava. You are one of my greatest blessings! I am so thankful to be your momma. 

4 Months

You are 4 months old today! I can't believe that you are already 1/3 of a year old! Time sure does fly when you're having fun and I'm having so much fun being your mommy. 
We went to the doctor for your 4 month check up and shots on Friday. You weigh 12 lbs 4 oz and are 25.5 inches long. Since you got so sick you haven't gained a lot of weight, but I know you'll be okay! You seem to put all your growing into your length. I bet you'll be tall like dad. 
This month you started rolling over from back to belly. Since you figure out that fun little trick, you almost always roll over in your sleep to sleep on your tummy. You like to stick your booty up in the air while you sleep. It's very cute! You give us lots of smiles, but we've only heard you laugh a couple of times. I'm hoping you'll give us some big belly laughs soon. You love your jumperoo. It's definitely your favorite thing to do when you're not being held. 
You still wake up at least once a night, but I know you'll sleep through the night soon. I'm not too worried about it. I like the time we get to spend just the two of us in the middle of the night. You suck your fingers in your sleep which is very cute and helps you sleep. I love watching you sleep. 
I love you so much, Ava. I thank God for you every day! 

One Year Ago

One year ago, I found out I was going to be your mommy. As soon as I saw the line appear on the test, I knew you were a girl. I was so excited that I couldn't wait to tell your daddy. I woke him up and told him the good news. I don't think he fully understood what I was saying since he was mostly asleep. i had all these cute ideas for how I was going to tell everyone I was pregnant with you, but I was just too excited to wait!  I called your Mimi and told her the good news and asked what I was supposed to do next (since I'm not very good at being a grown up). Then, I had a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. I don't know how I remember that, but I do. :) a little later in the morning, I Facetimed Aunt Sarah and Uncle Robbie. They were so excited! The next person up was your DoeDoe. She was at a birthday party and couldn't react big like she wanted. She called us back later and screamed with joy though. Sometime in the afternoon, we Facetimed with your PopPop and Uncle Brandon. PopPop couldn't believe it! Uncle Brandon was a little grossed out. Haha! We finally got a hold of your PeePaw. Your daddy told him "you're gonna be a PeePaw!" And PeePaw said "y'all getting another dog?" Once he finally realized that I was pregnant, he was overjoyed!  One year ago today, I started praying for you, Ava. I prayed that you would be safe growing in me. That you would be healthy when you arrived. That you would one day know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Being pregnant with you was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had to pray constantly for my anxieties to go away. I had to learn to fully rely on the Lord. My relationship with God was strengthened because of you, Ava.  I pray with you every night as we rock. I cant wait for you to be older to say those prayers with me. Being your mommy is the most amazing adventure ever. You are my biggest blessing. One year ago today, I had no idea how much I would love you.