Eben came home from work, we had breakfast, and since I was still on bedrest, I took full advantage and was lazy all morning. I took the dog out but that was about it.
I had a doctor's appointment that morning (as usual for a Monday) at 11:30. I was always the last appointment before lunch. Knowing that I would be hungry when I left, I made lunch plans with Tiffany for afterward. We were to go eat some pasta and then do a quick trip to Wal Mart to pick up essential items. (I was sneaking there since I wasn't supposed to be going anywhere...but I was going crazy being at home.)
Harley dog would not come back inside for me, so I ended up having to wake up Eben to have him help me. He was not amused (remember what I said yesterday about Eben not knowing we even had a puppy?). I left for the doctor with some peanut butter crackers in my purse in case I would be there for awhile.
The first order of the appointment was to lie in a chair and have a non-stress test performed. I was reading a book and chatting with Alice about the book. She would come in and check the printout, chat with me, ask a few questions, and then leave. She did this about four times in the course of 20 minutes. Once she brought Dr. Downing in with her. He looked at the printout. They left. He came back. Asked a few questions. I knew something was wrong.
My heart sank. I was scared. I didn't know why I was scared or what was wrong. But I just knew something was.
He came back to the room and looked me right in the eye and said, "You are going to have this baby today." I was so shocked because I knew I wasn't in labor. So why did he think that? Then he explained what was wrong, and I went from shock to fear to excitement to fear to shock. We went to his office to talk about our plan for the day. I begged him to let me go home to pack a bag. I wanted to see Harley dog. I wanted to wake up Eben and tell him in person. I was not permitted to leave. I was wearing my favorite black maternity shirt that day. And my favorite maternity jeans. And my hair looked awesome. And I had peanut butter crackers in my purse. I wasn't allowed to eat them, but they were there.
I had to go out and sit in the office while he made some phone calls. I had to call Eben. I hoped he would wake up and answer the phone. Finally, after calling three times, he heard the phone and picked up. He was scared when he heard my voice; I think I was scared hearing my voice, too. I told him we were going to have our baby that day. He asked me to repeat what I had just said. So I did. Then he said, "Does this mean I need to call off work?" I will never forget that quote as long as I live. I gently explained that since were headed to surgery at 5:30, he would need to at least call to say he would be late. Ha ha.
I walked to L & D and called Tiffany to cancel our lunch date.
I got to my room and the nurses started getting me ready and prepped. I had bloodwork done, an IV inserted, and met a hospitalist who was supposed to manage my blood sugar while I was waiting for surgery. Eben came with the essentials - some clothes for me, the camera, and my toothbrush. The nurse allowed me to brush my teeth after I promised her that I would not swallow any water.
My mom called in the midst of this. She wanted to know where I was. Our conversation went like this:
Mom: Where are you?
Me: At the hospital.
Mom: Oh, how long will you be there?
Me: Until Thursday, probably.
Mom: WHHHHHAAAAATTTTT? Oh my God. I'll be right up. Haveyoucalledanyone?Doesanyoneknowyouarethere? IsEbenwithyou? Doyouneedanything?
(There it is, ladies and gentlemen...the source of my hysterics...lol)
It wasn't long, a few minutes, really, before my entire family and the patrons of Tumbleweed knew that I was going to have a baby. :) (Mom happened to be at Tumbleweed eating a late lunch.)
The rest of the afternoon was a blur. People in and out. Almost dying twice. Poking and prodding. Shaving. Pictures. Almost dying twice.
Did I mention I almost died twice? Yeah. Remember that guy I was telling you about earlier? The one who was supposed to manage my blood sugar before surgery? That guy? Well...he kept putting insulin into my system through an IV and I wasn't eating anything. My blood sugar dropped below 40 twice within 30 minutes. I have never been so sick in my life. Hard to believe that Ella was born with low blood sugar, isn't it?
Anyway. Back to happiness.
I was taken for surgery earlier than planned because Dr. Downing got finished that day earlier than he had planned. My drug man, Chris, was awesome. The waiting room was full of friends and family. My sister pushed my bed until she got stopped by the nurse. I got a spinal, and life was awesome. I giggled so much they had a hard time getting me down on the bed into the correct position. Eben came in then, dressed in his scrubs, and looking quite scared.
At 5:05 p.m., I saw her. Dr. Downing lifted her up so I could see her. She was covered in goo but her eyes were so bright. Eben was snapping pictures. The lullaby played in the hospital so everyone would know she was born.
The next few hours were painful as hell. Pain I can still remember three years later. Opening my eyes somehow affected my stomach. I never learned in any science course that your eyelids were connected to your stomach, but I swear mine were that day.
But you know what? It was all worth it. And I did get to take some kick-ass pills to kill the pain.
I brought home a perfect bundle of joy. A beautiful baby girl.
Last week, I cleaned out the purse I had been carrying that day. I found my peanut butter crackers.
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