Sugar 'n Spice and All Things Noland: And then there were 4!

I am finally finding time to get a blog done! Life as we knew it is over and we have opened a new chapter. A chapter I wouldn't say we were ready for, but one that we embraced with open arms. On March 13, we welcomed Megan Grace into our family.

I began having contractions at about 4:30AM on the 12th, her due date! I thought we were going to deliver on her actual due date! As my luck would have it though, I would have to wait. This labor and delivery was so much easier than Jade was. Although I started having contractions 24 hours before delivery, They weren't real painful until about 8 o'clock or so the night before. I also didn't have consistent contractions all day. They were consistant until about 9:30AM and then I would have 1-2 each hour until about 6:00PM when they started coming back more consistently again. I attempted to sleep a little at home, but then decided to just go to the couch and read until our little one was ready to meet us. I went into our bedroom to wake up Nate around 11:30. We left the house around midnight and was admitted around 12:30. I had called my Mom around 8AM and asked her to come down. I told her it was no hurry as the contractions weren't strong, but they were there. She got here early afternoon. I had thought about sending her home with my contractions going away, but was glad she was here once I started having them again! We had no idea what we were going to do with Jade if my Mom wasn't here as we don't know many people in Fergus yet. I delivered just 4 hours after being admitted into the hospital. I was dilated around 5cm when I got there. I got an epidural that worked this time and would have another in a heart beat if I ever deliver again! My water broke on it's own about an hour after I got my epidural. The nurse called the MD after my water broke. By the time he got there, I felt ready to push and he agreed. He had the nurse prep me and get started. I only pushed through one contraction before she went to get the MD. I told them all I was going to be fast. I don't like messing around. From the time of my first push to calling in the doctor and getting him ready to delivery itself was 10 minutes! I think I pushed through 4 contractions is all. The epidural was amazing. I could tell when I was getting a contraction, but had to have Nate or the nurse tell me when it was over. Megan was born at 4:16AM.

Nate brought Jade up the next morning to meet her little sister. That is one memory I hope never fades! I was actually changing rooms when they got there because the birthing center was so full. I got to pick Jade up and show her Megan before we pushed the bassinet down the hall. Once we got in my new room, I asked if she wanted to sit with me and hold Megan. She said yes, so the three of us got to sit together. Jade gave a bunch of hugs and kisses and kept saying "baby," She continues to give Megan lots of love. There have been a few jealous moments for her, espcially when other people are around, which is to be expected. When it's just the 4 of us though, she does good. She loves wearing her big sister shirt too. She picks it out herself often.

Week 1-2 - adjustment weeks! I was lucky to get a shower in this week and was happy with one every other day. Nate just took Thursday/Friday off from work. Megan and I came home Friday. I had my Mom stay until Saturday. Mike and Jean came down to see us on Sunday and then my parents and grandparents came down on Monday. My Dad also visited while we were in the hospital. Megan ate every 2 hours all day and night, which means by the time I was done feeding and got back to bed, I only got to sleep for an hour. She slept fine on her own in the bassinet, which is different than Jade. I slept with Jade on the couch often the first couple weeks (I know you're not supposed to do that, but I needed the sleep!) Tuesday was our first day at home alone. I did fine, life is just much busier with two. I have to time when we go somewhere with when Megan is going to need to eat. I have to make sure Jade is occupied with something while I nurse Megan or she wants up on my lap too. I had to explain to Jade that I feed Jade and when I pump I'm putting milk away. She used to try to hook the pump up to herself and now she thinks she needs my nursing pillow to feed Minnie (or whoever) from her tummy. She is too interested in breast feeding!! I have to admit, it's weird having my 2-year old staring at me while I start nursing. Oh well, she won't remember that right?

Weeks 3-5- we are getting the hang of things! Jade is getting to be better and better with Megan. She thinks it's funny when I talk to Megan and has started to talk to her too. It's absolutely amazing to me to see how much Megan loves Jade already. She watches her when she can find her, she quits crying when you lay her next to Jade in bed... I think Megan knows Jade's voice just as well as mine. Truly amazing!

We are running out of things to do inside and can't wait to get outside more! I wish I would have found time to blog before this as I'm sure I had some funny stories to share, but hopefully I can start those now that I've figured out a time to blog in peace and quite!