Leighton Anne is Finally Here!

Ignore the B sized finger prints. This is my last pregnancy photo with L, the night before.

I'm not quite sure why, but somewhere around my 35 week mark with L, I lost my marbles. I was constantly thinking of ways I could possibly have a healthy baby asap.


Leighton's birth story really started on Monday, the 19th. I was 37 and a half weeks, and in my mind, all my body needed was a little kick start. That evening, I researched all the possible ways to put yourself into labor. I broke down and tried pumping. I pumped a couple times that evening and it brought on pretty strong, regular contractions, but they only lasted about an hour at a time.

Tuesday, I woke up and did the same thing, and got the same results. I decided I was just going to walk myself into labor. For anybody who knows me well, this is saying a lot. I don't like walking even when I'm not pregnant. Like at all. So I got B in the stroller and packed us lunch because I was planning to be out all day. I walked about 6 miles and realized I hadn't felt L kicking yet that day and it was almost noon. I called the doctor, and they sent me to the hospital to be monitored. Ryan was at work so our Mom came and picked me up somewhere on Carmel Mtn. Road. They monitored me for about half an hour, and of course everything was fine. After we got home, I lay my ache-y, over sized body on the couch and began to feel a little ridiculous.

Wednesday, I sat around all day seriously regretting the previous day. I realized I was being ridiculous and decided I would just wait the week and a half till I could be induced.

Thursday was Ryan's day off. At my 38 week appointment, Dr. Maresh told me I was 1.5 cm dilated. and he desperately wanted to go on a family walk, knowing that was probably one of the only times I would be desperate enough to agree. He loves family walks. Poor guy. So we walked around the neighborhood and we went to the beach that evening and walked some more. Once we put B to bed that evening, I mentioned to Ryan how hard of a time I had been having being so great with child. He said something along the lines of,: "It's okay, you only have 11 days left." That's when I snapped. 11 more days? Every resolve I had to be patient went completely out the window. Let it be known that upon my complaining about the irregular contractions, he also suggested I take some Tylenol. Ha. Thursday night was spent pumping and pacing around the house through contractions. Ryan looked at me like he was afraid of me all night. I told Ryan late Thursday night that I was going to the hospital in the morning. He pretended to believe me.

Highly flattering labor photo.

Friday, I woke up at 6:44 not feeling real contractions but just generally uncomfortable, so I got up. Once I started walking around, the contractions and the back pain started again. My contractions were very mild and irregular, but my mental sanity was fading quickly. I called the nurse answering service for my doctor and left a message. At 8, they called me back and upon explaining my symptoms and essentially pleading with them to let me come in, they told me to come into the office and see if there were any changes. Ryan didn't even go with me to the doctor because he genuinely believed I was crazy and I would be told to go back home and wait. When I got to the doctor, he told me I had dilated further and could go to the hospital. Oh hallelujah. On the way home, yes I drove myself while I was in labor. Like I said, no one believed me, I called Ryan and our parents to tell them the news. Ryan still wasn't convinced. When I got home and began packing our stuff he just lounged around and ate a few breakfasts. Throughout the day I had to remind him no less than 5 times that I was in fact in labor. He didn't even tell his boss he wasn't coming to work until we were on our way to the hospital. We dropped B off at Mom's house and got to the hospital. Once we checked in, there was a long time of just waiting around. I was in labor, but nothing exciting. Finally, Doctor Maresh came in and broke my water. Gross. Soon after contractions got stronger and I had my epidural. This is my favorite part of labor. Epidurals are the greatest thing ever. I progressed to a 5 and hung out there for a little while. But as expected, I was at an 8 in no time, and then things got scary. For me. I told Ryan it felt like my epidural was wearing off a bit and we called the nurse. She didn't even check me. She took one look and called for nurses and doctors. Leighton was crowning. I was instructed not to laugh, or sneeze while waiting for the doctor. Holy crap. I was horrified because I did not expect things to happen that quickly and pushing is the scary part. Doctor Maresh finally got there, made a few jokes, took his time changing, and Leighton was out in 3 pushes. Her cord was wrapped pretty tight around her neck, but Doctor Maresh was awesome, and she came out a perfectly healthy baby girl at 6lbs 9 oz, and 19 inches! And the best part is, I didn't even need stitches this time even though she came out so quickly. My recovery has literally been a breeze. Aside from some pelvic ligament pain, I felt completely fine.

We are absolutely in love with our newest baby girl. We are so completely blessed to have our little family. We're exhausted, but loving it. Ryan is home, which is amazing. And we are braving our first family day out tomorrow. We're going to Grandma's house all day for Conference. Wish us luck!

B adores her baby sister, but Yo Gabba Gabba usually comes first. Priorities.