Christmas with Caroline

Wow, what a whirlwind of a holiday. We started December with Eli's 2 year old birthday and then had visits from Nana, Grayson, and Aunt Christy, then had a wonderful visit with my great friend Kristin, and then.... a visit from what seemed to be the devil himself... the rotavirus. Eli got sick and was the most pitiful little thing I have ever seen. 2 days later-- Scott came down with it-- and just when I thought I was in the clear, I came down with it 2 days later. I got dehydrated and had to go to the hospital. It was now December 21st, and instead of my planned Christmas shopping with Scott, I spent it hooked up to an IV and a baby monitor. The nurse came in and asked me if I felt contractions. I said no, in which she preceded to tell me that I was having them 2 minutes apart. The nausea had subsided finally, but when she said that, I got another wave of it. No way could I have a baby that early. I mean I still had shopping to do and my family was coming the next day, and what about Eli, and the car seat base was not installed, and I didn't have any diapers, and my toenails were not painted, and I had a highlight appointment for the next day, etc, etc. You know, all the important things were going through my mind.... :o) Well, after 2 shots to stop the contractions, they finally did stop and I was released from the hospital. I felt much better after getting fluids, and I took a Tylenol PM and hit the sack when I got home. On Monday, the 22nd, we spent the day sanitizing our house. In my mind, I could see those germs from the TV commercials that are crawling on the phones, and I just felt my skin crawling all day. So, I decided to keep my hair appointment just to get a break from the house. My family arrived in the middle of the night, but had decided to stay in a nearby condo since our house was possibly still contaminated with the Satan virus. We had the carpets cleaned on Tuesday, and Eli and I went to meet my parents while Scott did his usual last minute Christmas shopping. We spent all afternoon shopping and I felt great. My sister graciously volunteered to watch Eli that night so that Scott and my parents and I could go to a movie. I think it had been 2 years since we had seen a movie in the theater. We saw Four Christmas's and I had some pretty good belly laughs. What was ironic is that I remember telling mom as we were walking into the theater that I did not know how I was going to carry Caroline for 4 more weeks because I was so very uncomfortable. I think that God had to be laughing then. We got back from the movies and picked up Eli who fell asleep in the car and we went to bed. My feet were swollen for the first time of my pregnancy, but I didn't think that unusual since I had been on my feet all afternoon. At 2:30 am, I awoke to a little trickling sensation. I woke Scott up and asked him if my water had broken. Half awake, he just felt around in the bed and said no. Two minutes later I felt it again. This time I punched Scott and told him to get up, I thought my water had broken. As soon as I got out of bed, it's like the dam had busted and the water started gushing. This was much more than when my water broke with Eli. I was kind of in a daze, and kind of denial it was happening. I mean, she wasn't due until January 2oth and Eli was 4 days late-- not early. But, I knew that once your water breaks, you have to deliver. We called my parents and they were here within about 10 minutes-- Mom with make-up and a cute shirt and all. She amazes me at how fast her reaction time is in a crisis. I looked at Scott after he got dressed and we realized he was wearing the exact same shirt he wore when I went into labor with Eli. I think it is safe to say that plaid shirt is his go to comfort shirt. I am still leaking water everywhere and change pants about 4 times. We are throwing stuff in a bag because I had not even begun to pack hospital bags yet. We get to the hospital and it is confirmed I am going to have a baby. I'm nervous because she will be 4 weeks early and I am just praying that she is developed and at least 5 pounds. The labor progressed rather smoothly and I was not having contractions really that were painful. After the first painful contraction I decided that we'd go ahead and have that wonderful wonderful epidural. So, basically, my labor was pain free. I was only dilated about 2-3 cm, so they gave me the potosin drip to speed things along. Within about an hour, I was fully dilated and ready to bring Miss Caroline into the world. (at least my body was-- my mind was not quite there yet). I gave one push and they all shouted they could see her head. BUT the doctor was not there. I felt the urge to push again, but they told me to wait that the doctor was on her way. They called her again to find out she was across the street at her office. The nurse told her in so many words to get to my room ASAP. I went through about 7 more contractions with an urge to push and finally the doctor came. Two pushes later and at 12:05pm, December 24th, Caroline Adair was laying on my chest. Icky, and screaming, and beautiful. She weighed 7.2 lbs and was 19 and 1/2 inches long. THANK you Lord that you did not make me wait until full term and try to push out an 11 pounder. Christmas did not go as planned, but I don't think I could have asked for anything more perfect. Eli was well taken care of by my parents and sister, and they were here to greet their granddaughter and niece. We came home from the hospital on Friday, December 26th and celebrated Christmas with my family and then Eli woke up Saturday morning to open his gifts from Santa Claus. He had no idea the real date of Christmas and after he opened his presents, he ran across the street to a neighbor's house who had a blow up Santa in their yard and said, "Thank you Santa for Thomas the Train." He is so fun now and is talking up a storm. He has adjusted well to having a baby sister. Scott and I have tried to spend one on one time with him as much as we can and have tried to make him feel as if he is such a helper with Caroline. We are very blessed and are so excited to now be a family of four. The adjustment has been easier than I anticipated, & the Lord has really given us a sense of peace and comfort knowing that we will not be given anything more than we can handle. We are looking forward to a great 2009 with Caroline and Eli.

How we thought would spend Christmas......

How we actually spent Christmas...............

Daddy sporting his "comfort shirt"

Right after delivery....

Nurse Lynda who almost had to deliver me...

Meeps and Peeps first glimpse of Caroline...

Eli's first look at "Baby Caroline". He immediatly wanted to give her kisses...

A great stocking stuffer.....

Yeah, I finally have her to myself!!

Caroline taking it all in.... about 6 hours old......

The most popular member of the family with the kiddos so far.... Aunt Emmy

Santa came to visit on December 26th." Our first morning home from the hospital.
Aunt Emmy hiding out in Eli's tent.
Eli with his 400th book....

Eli with 3 suckers in his tent. The candy in his stocking was the most popular gift. By 8 am he had had 5 twizzlers, 4 suckers, and some M&Ms. Oh well....

More candy -and Eli with his lobster raincoat on...

Pre Caroline---- Breakfast with Santa at church... ( I got behind on my blogging)

Grayson and Eli exploring our Christmas tree 2 weeks before Christmas....
Surfside Christmas parade-- wearing Monkey Buddy
Church Christmas party............