Gosh I can't believe its been a month since my last post! I have been slacking a bit. It has been the most busiest month of my life and I love it! The weekend before we had the baby was crazy! We were scrambling to get the final things done, we were both super nervous because it was all unknown so that made time drag! The Sunday before we had my family over to the house and had a big dinner and everyone got to hang out and play games. It was really nice and it helped get my mind off of everything for a bit. We tried to get to bed early that night but of course it didn't happen. It was so crazy to think that that was the last night it was going to be just me and Chris. We were just too excited! We had to be up by 4:30 the next morning because we had to call the Hospital at 5:30 to see when they could get us in. Much to our surprise we got a call at 5:20 and they said we could be there at 6!! I was so excited because then we didn't have to wait! We got our things together and off to the hospital we went! We got to the Hospital and checked in and got to our room. By the time the poor nurse could find my vein and get my IV started it was 7:30. That was not a fun time. Haha luckily I was already at a 3 and fully effaced and I was having constant contractions about a minute apart. So I was already somewhat in labor. Then it was just a waiting game! Chris was being so helpful. He didn't leave my side once and was constantly making sure I was okay and was reassuring me to help me feel better and to be less nervous. That really helped a lot. By noon I was at a 6 and decided I needed my epidural. It really wasn't that bad! Chris was more worried about it than I was. I think it was because he saw the needle and everything. (Thank goodness I didn't, I am terrified of needles.) Then we just continued to wait. We had our family coming and going throughout the day to visit so that helped time go by a little quicker. We were both getting anxious. At 5:20 I was dilated to a 10 and they make you wait an hour to let the head come down then its game time! By 6:30 my nurse came back in and it was time to push! I started pushing and within 2 pushes the nurse said "She has lots of dark hair!!" Chris wanted to see and watched. He was so great. He helped me through the whole thing and I really couldn't have done it without him there. I pushed for an hour and she finally came out! Towards the end of my pregnancy my doctor told us to expect a 7-8 pound baby which I didn't think was too bad because that it the average size. The second they pulled her out I knew there was no possible way she was 7-8 pounds! Even the nurses commented on what a big baby she was. Haha they put her on the scale and what do ya know? She was 9 lbs 6oz and 20.5 inches long!! She was chunky! The doctor said its a good thing I didn't go full term or she would have been 12-13 pounds!! That is one big baby! So I am pretty grateful. I didn't think I could love someone so much the second I met them. I was smitten and she was perfect! They laid her on my chest after and I started talking to her and she knew I was her mom. She looked up at me and just stared at me while I talked to her. I was so overwhelmed by the love I felt for her. I didn't think something so tiny and so perfect could have such a big effect on me. I now have a new found respect for my parents and the love they have for me. Its a special kind of love you don't have until you become a parent. Its an amazing thing. Chris got to hold her next and it was so incredible. They just stared at each other and she knew he was her dad. The second he held her he instantly changed. I thought I loved him before but now its on a whole new level. This experience brought us so much closer together. It is such an amazing experience! As worried and as nervous as we were, there was nothing to be worried or nervous about. It wasn't as bad or as scary as we thought. We then got up to our room and we got to see all of our family there. Little Harper already has everyone wrapped around her little fingers! We stayed in the hospital for a day and then we got to go home! We couldn't wait any longer! The first night we had with her was a little scary, I didn't sleep at all because I wanted to make sure she was breathing. She was of course but I couldn't help but watch her. One of the things they don't prepare you for after birth is how emotional you will be!! I was an emotional wreck! I was so happy that I just couldn't stop crying. Anything would start the water works. I would just be sitting there and I would look at her and I would just start crying. I was so happy that I just couldn't control it. Poor Chris thought I was a little crazy, haha but thank goodness it only lasted a week. Too much emotions for me :) We got to have our first Valentines with her too. That was so much fun. She was our perfect little Valentine. I can't believe how much she changes on a daily basis. Its a constant change! It is so fun and so rewarding to watch her grow and change everyday. It kinda makes me sad because I feel like she is growing way too fast for me. We try to cherish every moment we can. As crazy as this whole pregnancy was, it was so worth it. I would do it 10 times over again. She is so worth it. We couldn't be more blessed to have Harper in our lives. We are also very blessed that she is very healthy and happy considering all the crazy stuff we went through to get her here. She truly is so amazing. We are so lucky she picked us to be her parents. We love her more than words. I love my little family :)
