Natural Wins!

Baby Taylor is here. I witnessed one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed today. T was supposed to arrive at the hospital at midnight on 5/7/2009. It was approximately 10:15 pm and Mom and I had just turned out all the lights downstairs. She went upstairs and got to bed. I had just finished brushing my teeth and washing my face. I laid in bed and pulled the covers up to my shoulders. THE PHONE RINGS! I run in the kitchen and see it is B (my brother). I answer it saying, "her water broke, didn't it?" He says, "Yep! We are on our way!" We talk for about 3 more minutes going over specifics and our plan of action. Leo was out of town so I knew I was not going to be able to get there until I could get the kids to Maria's, in the morning. He told me to just let Mom know what was going on and to keep my phone next to me all night. I walked upstairs (Mom would tell you differently, more like ran) and went in the guest room and told her what happened. She jumps out of bed and is all, "we gotta go!" I think for one minute she forgot about my two babies asleep downstairs. I was not going anywhere. I quickly explained to her what B said about keeping us updated. She just told me to call her on her cell if I heard anything during the night. Who can sleep after this news? The anticipation kicked in. My mind was going 100 mph. Who is she going to look like? How long will she be in labor? Will it be a natural birth or C-Section? Will I make it in time? I think I was more nervous for B than I was when I was having my kids. My big brother was about to become a Daddy to a baby girl!

I slept on and off all night just waiting for the text. I finally decided at 5:45am I would send him a message. I sent, "Status?" He replied, " Contractions are about 3 minutes apart. She seems to be comfy. No epidural yet. No excitement yet. Just waiting. They started meds at 4 to help induce." So, with this information I decided to go ahead and start getting up and getting myself ready. We were out the door around 7:15.

Mom and I arrived at the hospital around 8:30. T received the epidural around 6:30am. When we arrived she was 5 cm dilated. 1 hour later the nurse came in and checked her again. She had advanced to a 7. At this time we all made out bets. What would she weigh, how long would she be, and what time would she be born? Another hour passed and the nurse came back to check T. She was complete! It was showtime!

T pushed for about 10 minutes and Taylor was ready. Unfortunately, T's doc had not made it in yet. They made her stop pushing while waiting on the doc. She did such a wonderful job breathing through every contraction. Finally, Dr. P arrived! He sat down and did his thing while T did hers and minutes later, I was an Aunt.

Taylor Marie Meyer was born at 11:20 am. She weighed 8lbs 6oz and she was 20 1/4 inches long. She had a full head of jet black hair. She is beautiful.

I have never been jealous of anyone who pushed a baby out of their va-j-j before this moment in my life, ever! T made it look so easy. She made it look like God intended it, Natural. From the moment the baby was born she stayed in the room. She did not have to wait 4-5 hours to hold her new baby, like after a C. I have always been an advocate of C-sections, because that is all I know. I now am a complete advocate for natural deliveries. I know, I know...they are not all this easy. Given the chance to decide between the 2 if there was ever a baby Hawley #3, I think I would seriously have to make a few pros/cons lists where before, there was no contest. C-section all the way!

Here are a few pictures of my baby necie, pronounced Knee-C. I have decided this is what I will call her.