Claire is here...

Tuesday: OB appointment. 4cm dilated. Very uncomfortable and cramping.

Wednesday: Fetal non-stress test & ultrasound. Everything looking great. Up to almost 7cm! Doctor says to head to the hospital, but I decline. Not really having significant contractions and I want to go in on my own.

Thursday: Labor stopped. No more contractions, just hanging out for the day. Made plans to go in Fri. 5 am to have water broken. But got a call tonight that they basically don't have room for me. Rescheduled for Monday.

Friday 8:45am: Left for another fetal non-stress test at the hospital. Everything is looking good. Now close to 8cm and having moderate, consistent contractions. Doctor tells me to stay at the hospital. 41 weeks, and I am ready.

Friday 11ish am: Doctor breaks my water. This doesn't hurt, but the pressure and contractions that come later are brutal. Dustin stays by my side the whole time, applying a cold washcloth and talking me through the contractions.

Friday 12:10pm: Doctor comes in to check me again to see how I am progressing. They lay the bed back, and I start yelling, "Pushing!! I'm pushing!!" Wide eyes stare at me as they see this is true, then there's lots of scrambling around while the doctor and nurses suit up and get ready.

Friday 12:13pm: After just a few pushes, A. Claire is born, weighing 10lbs 3oz, 21.5 inches.

We are all doing good. Lara has adjusted as though we bring babies home all the time. It's still early, though. She is not smothering, but she gives the baby good care and love. For instance, we put Claire in the bouncer, and Lara sat down in front of her and said, "Okay, read one book. Just ONE, okay? Before nap." And she read the baby a book. Later she asked me if she could take the band-aid off of Claire's foot, and I agreed. "Okay, hold still, baby." And she very quickly took the band-aid off.

We are really enjoying this time. Claire has been really good so far. Nights can be a little hard, because she still has night and day backwards. But Dustin is home from work for several days, and he will take Claire after I nurse her before bed. Last night, I went to bed, woke up and fed her again about 3:30...Claire went right back to bed and slept until 7:30am. I needed a good night's sleep, and it was heavenly.

I am recovering well; better in some ways than I did with Lara. Of course, I am still quite sore. But I'm getting better.

Here are pictures of Claire's first few days: enjoy!!