The Beauty of April 16, 2007

For many in the country, April 16, 2007 was a sad day. For us, it was not... I was really hoping that I would go into labor on my own this time, but because of the size of my children at birth, the doctor highly recommended that I be induced on the 16th. I wanted to hold off as long as I could. I wanted more time to adjust to our new environment. I wanted to get the nursery together. I just wasn't ready, yet. Just one more week. However, the doctor and Rob convinced me to set the 16th up as the day. I went home and madly painted Anna's room. Rob hung up the moldings and put the furniture together. We finished it all in a day! Now I was ready!

I drove myself to the hospital that morning because Rob got the kids off to school and to friends houses. The Dr. was annoyed that I was late and wanted to get the process going (PIT, water broken, epidural), ASAP. I was hesitant though. I knew that Rob wasn't going to be there for another hour +, so I said they could start the pit , but I wanted Rob to be there when my water was broken and when I got the epidural--you know, he's my man, I needed him there. And being dilated almost to a 5 already, I had a feeling the process would not take long.

The doctor wasn't happy because it meant that I had to wait until after someone had their scheduled c-section, but I was okay with that. Rob arrived around 9 am and by then I hadn't made much process. We just hung out. It was around this time that the news started reporting on the shootings that had happened on the campus of Virginia Tech. As the day progressed, we learned of all the horror, but right now, I was too busy to be sad.

My water was broken around 10am and then the nurses suggested that if I wanted an epidural now was the time to get it because I was progressing quickly. I wasn't in a lot of pain, but listened to their counsel--I knew that sometimes those guys take awhile to get there! They were right.

I have never had a problem getting an epidural. Yet, Rob has had problems with me getting one. At Jared's birth, the nurse had him sit down in the corner because he was turning white. With Evan, I think he just stepped out of the room. I was giving him a hard time about that and I think his pride stepped in the way. He insisted that he was fine. The anesthesiologist was very serious and straight faced--he would not crack a smile. I was very worried about Rob and I kept asking him if he was okay. You should have seen the dirty looks he was throwing me. As the needle was being inserted and Rob was holding me up, the nurse yells, "He's going down!" Rob quickly slipped out of my arms, fully passed out on the floor, white as a ghost! And I had to hold perfectly still. There was no reaction from the anesthesiologist and the nurse told me not to worry about Rob. They got him a pillow and I was in tears--no, I was not upset, I was laughing hysterically--all while trying my hardest not to move so grump-o who was inserting the epidural in me would move on his merry way. This was the best we could do for pictures (the camera was around Rob's neck).

Rob was banished to the chair for the rest of the delivery!

I didn't think this day could get any more exciting! Could having a baby daughter beat this? It sure did! Anna was born shortly later--at 11:58 AM, weighing 8 lbs. 6 oz, length was 20.5 inches. And of course, it was love at first sight! Brown hair, big brown eyes with long, long lashes, one dimple, long fingers, small forehead, and a squished up face!

Yes, it was sad that over 30 people were killed in the largest mass school shooting, but I couldn't be sad that day or the days to come. Sometimes I feel bad that I had no emotion towards that event. All I can say is that as some people grieve today, I rejoice in my sweet princess Anna.

Happy Birthday!