Happy birthday Lily Grace

I was not excited about the impending birth of my second child. I know it sounds horrible, but I just wasn't prepared for what was already planned for me. I didn't talk much about "the baby" when I was pregnant, but I knew, deep down, that it was a girl. The month I thought I might be pregnant I was reading the book Midwives. I sat up late one night reading about an emotional birth story. The parents named this little baby Lily. From the emotion of the story and the possible thought of being pregnant, I started to sob and prayed that the Lord would make it not so. I wasn't prepared for another child. I felt like I was just getting to know the one I had. His response to me was that he would provide for me and give me peace. I knew at that point, it was a girl and I needed to name her Lily Grace as a reminder that God is filled with grace and mercy.

I was due around March 3. And I was willing to be pregnant forever before facing life with 2 kids under 2. I would not have minded being late. However, this little lady decided to arrive early.

Labor with Eloise started with my water breaking, contractions 2-3 minutes apart and pushing for 3 1/2 hrs (total labor: 9 hrs). I was pretty curious what it would feel like to start labor without my waters breaking and hoping for less pushing and less time overall.

In the early hours of February 23 I woke at 4:45 a.m. to heavy cramping. It only lasted 15 seconds or so, but anxiety was already building. About 25 minutes later the same thing. Labor had arrived. I called my midwife and she sent over her assistant at 6:30 a.m. I called my parents repeatedly to try and wake my mom. After calling them 50 times (really) I tried my brother. He was able to reach them and my mom hopped in the car.

I was always worried about what we would do with Eloise, being that we were having a home birth. Our wonderful friends, Daniel and Laura, were happy to take her. At 9 a.m. Laura arrived and Dave was out with Will trying to figure out our faucet situation to fill the birth tub. I was milling about the house trying to collect Eloise's things and pausing every 10 minutes to have a contraction. Eloise and Laura left at 10 and my mom arrived 25 minutes later.

Finally the birth tub was full. I was having horrible back pain and it felt good to rest in the water. Lily's birth felt so relaxed in the beginning. I was talking with my midwives and my mom until 1 p.m. or so when I finally entered into transition. I was getting really uncomfortable and fearful of pushing. I was doing all I could in the water to delay my contractions. My midwife, Ellie, being a great midwife, picked up on that and we decided it was time to get out of the water. At 4 p.m. I moved onto our room. The small walk from the spare room where the tub was located, to our bedroom brought on two VERY strong contractions. I laid down and had the sudden urge to push. Ellie checked and there was the baby. Dave rushed in from the living room (which is where he feels most comfortable during labor) and grabbed my hand. My mom had the other hand.

One strong push and the Ellie could see that she was still in her bag of waters (apparently very rare). Three more horrible pushes later, she was out. IT'S A GIRL!

Lily Grace came into the world at 4:15 weighing 8 lbs 10 oz, 19.5 inches long.

Today we celebrate the first year of her life at a ladybug party.

My first ladybug cake. I think it turned out pretty good.

First taste of cake

Waiting in eager anticipation

Happy Birthday Lily Grace