Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Details

Because you all seem so interested(?!) and because you don't think you will forget but you do:
  • I had my membranes stripped on Friday (Halloween) and the nurse-midwife said I wouldn't last the weekend. I started crying. Because I really really wanted to meet my little girl. And she was coming!

(last picture taken prior to giving birth. I am a beach ball.)

  • I "felt weird" and had contractions all day, but thankfully was able to do our usual Halloween things (post to come...).
  • Ryan was very concerned about getting to bed early because, as he told a friend of mine, he wanted to make sure he had enough energy for the labor ahead. She, obviously, made much fun of him.

  • I got 1 hour of sleep before I was woken up with semi-bad contractions 3-5 minutes apart. Obviously we rushed to the hospital where

  • my active labor abruptly stopped and they "let" me walk around the hospital for 3 hours before they would admit me. (Ryan got his much-needed rest on the couch in a room, while I stared longingly at his restful self.) I couldn't stop walking/showering/dancing (seriously) because I was NOT about to let them send me home.

  • They admitted me because it was my 5th and we live 30 minutes away from the hospital. It took 2 more hours of walking, an epidural, forced water breaking and 2 doses of pitocin to get me to a 10 cm dilation. That has NEVER happened before.

  • My blood pressure plunged after the epidural, which has never happened before. I was nervous about how I was feeling, but hate making a big medical deal about nothing, so began asking questions "Um, is it supposed to be hard to breathe?" "Um, should I be sweating profusely?" "Um, can my husband come over here and let me lean on him, because I feel really bad?" Finally they figured out what was going on and after a very nervous-sounding call from the nurse and a sprint from the nurse anethisissticisist (how do you say or pronounce that word, anyway?), we got my pressure up and I felt fine.


  • I only pushed 3-5 times. She was big and had hair and was really fiesty and screaming her head off while they checked her. See this picture of her grabbing the side of the scale?


  • I cried and cried and cried. It's such a spiritual experience, that moment when they leave Heaven and come to us.

  • I knew she was ours. I knew that long long ago, in the pre-existance, we became a family and Faith was part of that family. She was so familiar (and NOT just cause she looks like all the rest of them. Which she totally does.) and immediately, she was MINE. Like, if-they-don't-stop-weighing-her-and-checking-her-and-keeping-her-all-the-way-over-there-with-all-the-gadgets-I'm-jumping-off-of-this-bed MINE.
  • I love the hospital. They tried to tell me I could go home on Sunday and I said, "No thank you. I will stay till Monday" and they were all surprised (but willing) and I soaked up every minute of alone time with Faith, meals brought to my bed, reading and TV and those lovely hospital gowns that are perfect for new nursers and the copious amount of liquid involved in post-partumness.

  • Faith was very fussy and awake at the hospital. I was concerned about having another Emma (super colicky and hard) on my hands, but as soon as my milk came in (Monday night), she has turned into a dream.

  • HAVING A FIFTH CHILD IS SO GREAT! I am so much more relaxed about nursing, being up at night, fussiness, post-partum body (kind of), germs, pacifiers. The list goes on. AND I know so much more, so I know how to nurse, be up at night, deal with a fussy baby, dress for a post-partum body, fend off germ carriers and give a pacifier. I would totally recommend it.

  • In case you were wondering, every single solitary miserable minute of my pregnancy was worth this awesome experience, this sweet sweet sweet baby, this special spirit in my home, my expanded family. I am so glad I have this baby.


  • She is easy. Eats a lot, sleeps a lot, wakes up only 1-2 times a night, takes a pacifier, loves her dad. And she is very fun to dress. I want, like, 5 more of her. (That is another post all together).
Is anyone still reading, except for Faith, 10 years from now? If so, you should be rewarded with extra pictures...here you go:



After her first bath, and not-very-successful tummy time

First day at church. Can you handle that dress and the tights?!

50 comments:

Erin said...

Adorable! And, you're right, I can barely handle the dress and tights. Too cute. :)

The whole stalling out thing--so much more common for women who have had more than 3 babies than one would guess. Good thing your wicked good pushing skills make up for the lost time in the end right?

Great birth story. Great baby. Great family.

Annie said...

Thanks for the details! What a beauty. Both of you :)

When I saw that tummy time photo, before I read the caption, I thought "those Romneys are so spiritual. They even have their newborns kneel for family prayer." Seriously.

Congrats and happy baby enjoying.

DaNae said...

Faith is so adorable! You make having kids and being a mom of 5 look easy! Congrats.

Jeanelle said...

I read every word because for some strange reason, I dreamed last night that I met you at a church youth activity (you were still pregnant.) We were instantly BFFs. ;) Congratulations on your beautiful new daughter and thanks for sharing all of the details and pictures. She is truly a doll and I'm so glad things are going well.

Jenibelle said...

Oh...she is beautiful beyond words. Don't tell anyone in my family, but my #5 is my very favorite, and for some of the very reasons you mentioned. Knowing what you are doing and being relaxed about it really makes everything worth while.

I am totally cracking about Annie's comment. Yep, you guys are REALLY spiritual.

Jenibelle said...

I am still laughing, Annie, that was the funniest comment ever. You win.

mandy* said...

I love hearing birth stories! Thanks for the details. Faith is super cute!!!

Kristin said...

Oh I'm so ready to hold my little one now, wish she would follow Faiths example and come out already. She is beautiful, I hope I have the same feelings about the fifth.

Ilene said...

Oh gosh, she is adorable. I want her and I have my own little one upstairs. I never do tummy time because I am a sucker for their miserable cries. However, I let my baby lie on my tummy all of the time so does that count?

Glad number 5 is everything you wanted and more. I am so going for number 4. Dan can't wait.

Too bad we can't trade clothes.

Twiddle Thumbs said...

I want a girl, but I'm really not sure I want to endure the 9 months for the little tiny bit of a chance that I may get one.

Zaundra and Grant said...

That makes me want one! But only the sweet no fussy sweet part, i'm not so sure about the labor not sleeping part. I can't even wait to meet that gorgeous little baby... at the wedding!!

Sally said...

I am absolutely drooling.

Thank you so much for sharing the story and making me want another baby. now I just have to talk my husband into it.

I love being in the hospital post-partum. It's heaven! Baby, food, nice husband visiting, heaven I tell you. I would stay for 5 days if I could.

Congratulations again, what a lucky girl to have you for her mommy.

Hollyween said...

It totally looks like Faith is kneeling in the pic with her on the pillow. So funny!

I can't wait to be to that point in my life where I actually know how to dress my postpartum body. So far, it's been a horrible painstaking experience.

But... I'm SOOOOO ready to do it again. I've mentioned I want another baby like NOW, haven't I? And now after reading this post, that feeling has tripled. Thanks a lot!

She's beautiful, Jessica.

the wrath of khandrea said...

that picture face down on the pillow is awesome. it just looks like the end of a long, hard day.

she's adorable!! congrats.

kara jayne said...

I am dying!!! I want to hold her and snuggle her SO BAD!! I'm still not sure I can pull off the 5th kid thing. No one said I have to decide right now. i"m so so happy for you!!!

Bekah said...

Love your blog and love that little girl who I can't wait to meet! Love you!

Jake said...

Oh I am teary. She is beeeeautiful and I LOVED the details. Thank you. Very satisfying on many levels.

Lauren in GA said...

No. I cannot handle the dress and tights. So, so, so, so adorable!! She is a gorgeous baby. I am so happy for you!

Thanks for all the details! I loved hearing how you had such a spiritual experience and how you truly knew her when you finally got to hold her. It made me cry. So beautiful. The whole post was truly beautiful.

Oh...so she wasn't kneeling in prayer? ;)

Linsey said...

Tummy time already, you are an amazing mom!

Congratulations to you and your little angel and your even more beautiful, now that Faith is here, family.

Christie said...

I have tears in my eyes because I know JUST that feeling of when they come from heaven to you. There is no other experience like that anywhere in life. She is BEAUTIFUL. You are blessed, friend. I am so happy for you.

Bridget said...

Congratulations, Jessica. She is a beautiful baby and I loved the play by play of the labor process. Enjoy your easy sweet 5th baby. You make 5 look easy anyway.

AMY said...

I really, really, really, need a girl. Can I stress that anymore?

Nancy said...

She is beautiful! The picture on the pillow is priceless, especially with Annie's comment.

Tammy said...

Jess...i love this post. Its totally you, unscripted, honest, not a bit afraid to be totally open, spiritual, thankful, totally immersed in the experience and moment, and totally in love with your baby. You make people like me, who do not have the experience at all....understand it and want to have it also. Thank you for being so candid and for sharing this. It makes me really happy, and makes me thrilled to know you and to call you a great friend. love you

Lisa-Marie said...

Yeah! The details! Thank you for sharing. What special memories. (And you made me get all teary eyed. Thx a lot. )

Faith is so beautiful. I'm just absolutely thrilled for your family.

I'd love to hear about the other kiddos reactions to her! I bet Seth has had a cute thing or two to say!

Kimberly said...

I absolutely loved this post and appreciate your perspective. I hope to feel the same this next time around. Congratulations- she is beautiful!

Laurie said...

CANNOT handle the dress and tights. I can't wait until grandkids to get a little girl. UGH.

My fourth son is so sweet and easy, I keep thinking we could have ten more like him (of course, it'll change when he's 2).

Lorena said...

Thanks for the deets...I love birth stories...don't really know why!

She is adorable, looks just like a
Romney and I hope to meet her soon (since I met Seth last year when he was like what, 3?)

Paige said...

Thank you for the details. I"m crying she's so pretty and I'm so happy for you and so on the fence about another.

Did you really take her to church at one week? Because it's unacceptable. GERMS.

rachel said...

AMEN to staying in the hospital!

That dress! Those tights!! Holy cow, how cute. Tell me where to get my hands on those and I'm so there for my Delaney.

Her tummy time kills me... and her reaching on the scale! Oh she couldn't be any cuter.

Mine isn't even 7 months old yet and you're making me want another one. HA!

mamasuisse said...

She's beautiful! I know exactly what you mean about every miserable minute of pregnancy being worth it. My mom asked me if it was worth it just a few minutes after Leah was born, and the answer was a fierce yes.

diane said...

She is Babylicious! Thanks for sharing.

The Hansen Clan said...

Great post! All of the pictures are wonderful but "tummy time" is my favorite. I love their little limp bodies... she is so beautiful!!!

jessica said...

How lucky am I that I get to see that precious creature in person!

Sharlene Enloe said...

Faith is beautiful. Congratulations! You make it sound so wonderful that for a brief second I thought about having a 5th.

Abbie said...

I LOVE birth stories (who doesn't?). She is beautiful. Congratulation! This make me so excited to have more. AWWWW! Love them babies!

Lisa said...

Soooooo cute!!! I want 20 of her! Send the vibes my way cuz I am already getting baby hungry..AGAIN! Mine just turned 4 months old and I don't feel "done" yet..Are you freakin' kidding me? I want a girl so bad so I kinda think there is another one waiting and it better be a girl doggone it! So you will have to let me know what it is like to handle 5 kids. I'll take your lead. Thanks for sharing those precious photos. She is yummmmmyyy!

Laura Alvord said...

Congratulations! You guys are such an incredible family.

Brigitta said...

I am in love..... she is beautiful and I am so glad everything went well for you. Congratulations.

Cami said...

Yes we're so interested...speaking for myself, the possibility that this will never again happen to me makes this post all that more wonderful.
She is beautiful. I'm glad they admitted you. Getting sent home feels like failure, doesn't it?
I love the dress and tights!

Margaret said...

WOW! You amaze me! Five kids and a good attitude to boot. Good job momma! They are lucky to have you!

heidiram said...

I think I need to have one more child just so I can try out the spiritual birthing experience. All I seem to recall about my 3 labors and deliveries is saying naughty words to my husband and being highly annoyed and wanting to be the next Lorena Bobbit if my hubby ever comes near me again . . . AND.GETS.ME.PREGNANT.

Seriously though, she is a BEAUTY. Congratulations!

AZ Karen said...

She's so beautiful. Your time in the hospital bonding with her sounds like heaven on earth.

Congratulations!

And the dress and tights are delish!

J'net said...

Good job as an incubator... She came out 1/2 grown up already! Strong and healthy! What a gift!!
So is everyone being helpful and letting you be new born mommy? I think this is when "nannies" show up for the next six/seven weeks and drive the others to their lives and let you get back to your full strength,
OH, just dreaming, who has nanny's in the SHERRILL family? Where's Bekah when you need her?
Congrats & Aloha

crystal said...

"It's such a spiritual experience, that moment when they leave Heaven and come to us."

I feel exactly the same way. You worded it perfectly.

You sweet mommy, you! What a darling you are.

That foot with the ink on it! The cutest thing ever. And the dress and tights kill me.

Congratulations. (and i think you've sold me on the idea of a 5th)

Meghann said...

I love how their eyes can't quite focus completely. It's so cute.

I LOVE that fisty picture of her grabbing the side of the scale. She seriously looks ticked!

stephanie said...

It sounds like your experience is so similar to mine in having my 5th. He was such an angel too. My pregnancy was so awful, but the wonderful experience of having Alexander changed my grouchy heart.

Robin said...

She is such a beautiful baby and this was a wonderful post. I am so happy for you!

Marcie said...

She looks like Jane part 2! Congratulations!!

Adrianne said...

I love her, and I accept the fact I will never be as good a mother as you are. I'm over it. I'm just glad to be your friend, your friend who is planning to get pregnant with a girl in the next couple of months so that all Faith's clothes will get handed down to her!!!