Elise Rebecca is here!!!

In the wee hours of the morning on September 13, labor began!  I was a little apprehensive about it this time, as I really can say I have been lucky to have never truly "felt" labor with my other children.  With Baker, I was induced and the doctor had them give me my epidural before she broke my water.  So I never felt contractions.  With Caleb, my water broke and contractions started once I got the hospital.....and I had an epidural almost immediately because I was already so far dilated. 

 

So....here I was, baby #3, knowing it wasn't going to be the same, and most likely, not so easy!  Contractions started around 3 am, however they were very light and very inconsistent.  I even texted 2 of my "new mom" friends hoping they were up nursing and could talk to me and tell me if I was actually in labor or not.  To be on my third child, I felt like it was my first.  By 4 am I woke up Josh and had him call his Dad to come to the house.  And by 5 am....we were on our way to the hospital with contractions every 5 minutes!  I was dilated to a 6 when we got there and you would have thought I was being rushed into emergency surgery the way the nurses were getting me in, registered, and having my epidural put in.  The sweet lady even had me "verbally" give my constent for the epidural because she didn't want to wait any longer on the paper work as I was progressing so quickly. 

 

Elise, however, slowed down a little and made her arrival into the world at 11:17 am after only 2 pushes.  She has been such a joy and such a wonderful baby!  She eats and sleeps like a champ....something new to me as my boys did NEITHER well!  And I am loving having my sweet girl and all the PINK....finally =)!  Baker and Caleb are learning to love their sister and be "gentle."