Introducing...

Holland Grace Meacham

2-1-2012 @ 1:29pm

7lb. 10oz. 20.5 inches

{Alright so today I was going to be super productive. I even started it off with a little scripture reading... so proud! My house was going to be cleaned in tip top shape, laundry finished, and I was going to be showered before JD gets home this afternoon. HA!!! Not gonna happen, I've caught the blogging bug instead! So while Jace and Avery are at school, Brody eating some dino nuggets, and baby in her swing I figured I'd take this time to introduce you all to the sweetest little addition to our family!!}

Holland's story....... (nothing too exciting, but here's the details!)

I was scheduled to be induced on Feb. 1st. My sweet Dr. called the hospital and put me at the top of the list... as in 3 AM!!!! Nice of him huh?! He told me I might not get in at that time but it just ensured that I would get a spot for that day. So I was totally banking on calling the hospital and them telling me not to come til like 8am. My Mom was flying in to see me but wouldn't be here until the following day so I had arranged for a young college girl to come over and sleep at my house so I could just leave when I had to but she got the flu hours before!! I called the hospital to try and get an estimate on what time they needed me and they said that I was to call them back at 2AM and see if they had a bed for me. I asked if I could just come in at 7 and they were quite frank in telling me that if my scheduled time was 3AM then I had to come in at that time! Geez! So I called my amazingly sweet neighbor (who was planning on watching my kids all day anyway) if I could just bring them in the middle of the night. She was so cool with it all. We lucked out big time with our neigbors. They are amazing friends and have done so much for our family. Anyways.... that night I was trying to finish up laundry and get my house in order and of course I hadn't packed yet! My head finally hit my pillow about 12:30am. I woke up and called them at 2:00, hoping that they weren't ready for me. Well, of course the nurse said, "Yep we have a bed ready for you, see you soon!" Lovely. I was super excited to meet my baby girl but would have LOVED to get some much needed rest since I will be trying to catch up on sleep for the next year! So we wake up the kiddies, pile them in the van, and head over to the neighbors to drop them off.

We got to the hospital and got all checked in. They started me on the pitocin and said I was dilated to a 4 but the baby still had not dropped and my cervix wasn't very thinned out yet. So my Dr. came in at 8:30 and wanted to break my water. Well, the baby was so high up that he couldn't do it. Oh my HELL... that hurt like a mother! (I look over at JD who is passed out on the couch, glad someone is getting some sleep!) My Dr. said he was going to come back in 30 min. and try again... which he did but this time he had the nurse push down on my stomach while he reached a mile up and was finally able to get to my water. Seriously it was not fun. So I lay there and just wait for the contractions to keep coming. With this possibly being my last baby I for some reason wanted to wait as long as I could before getting the epidural. I just wanted to really feel the pain first. The contractions started getting stronger and stronger and JD kept asking me if I was ready for my drugs yet. I kept saying, "no just one more contraction." Well they started coming on super strong and by the time the anestesiologist came in, I was crying! I had never felt contractions that strong. I have total respect for you natural birthing mothers. How in the world do you do it! The second that epidural was in, I felt all warm and was floating on clouds! I just wanted to tell the nurse to just let me sit there and sleep for 24 hours then I could deliver. If only!! So a few hours later they called my Dr. in and I was ready to push. The feeling that a woman feels right before she is about to finally meet that precious, perfect being that has been growing inside of her is almost indescribable. It's a feeling so amazing that it makes me ponder having ten more babies. I pushed a few times and there she was, screaming at the top of her lungs! The nurse wrapped her up and gave her to me. I remember JD saying, "she's SO cute!" I looked down at her and couldn't believe she was here. My baby girl! She was BEAUTIFUL! I looked up at JD who was looking over my shoulder with tears in his eyes. A truly perfect moment....

JD went home and got the kids to bring them to the hospital. When they came into the room they could not stop smiling. They were so excited! Brody ran over first with squeals of joy. It was the cutest thing. Avery came in and looked at her and with some disappointment in her voice she said, "That's a boy, I thought you were having a girl." Apparantly since Holland had a little spike in her hair and NO bow, Avery thought it just couldn't be a girl. After we cleared that all up, she wanted to hold her and never give her back! Jace was sweet with her. Very gentle and smiling shyly. I love my babies! That night after JD took the kids home and it was just me and Holland in the hospital room, I was overcome with feelings of joy. I was so thankful that her labor went so smoothly and that she was healthy. We are truly blessed. I texted JD that I was so incredibly happy and loved our little family so much. It was a wonderful experience.

Some funny things I wanted to remember....

When we brought Holland home from the hospital, my Mom was there with the kids waiting for me to get home. I brought baby in and set her down in her carseat. Brody came running into the room and pointed at her and said," Is that the baby they took out of ya?!" He said it in the cutest little innocent voice it made me laugh. Then Jace that night before eating dinner was giving the blessing on the food and said, "please bless the food... and bless Mom cuz she's the food too!" Haha, it was so funny! I guess he's right, to Holland I pretty much am THE FOOD!

Enough talk already, here are some pics....

This is at 3AM right before leaving to the hospital. Thought we'd get one last shot of the belly.

Daddy with his baby girl. I couldn't ask for a more involved Dad. He is amazing! I can't believe how much help he has been. I would not have been able to adjust very well without him. He takes charge and I love it! Love you honey

Avery at the hospital finally holding her sister.

Awww I LOVE THEM!!!!

JD being a dork!

Bringing baby home!

The kids are obsessed (as am I) with her. They are constantly asking where she is and if they can hold her. I've gotten pretty good at breaking up fights ;) At times it's been a little much for me too handle. I have kids constantly in my face. It's not like they are just sitting by me, they are practically on top of me at all times! It's mellowed out a little, but only a LITTLE! I do love the help though!

My sweet Mom! She was able to stay for a week and I was so thankful for her. She worked her butt off! She took care of all my kids, cleaned my house top to bottom, cooked constantly and even put together a bunch of meals to freeze. Don't know what I'd do without her. I was able to just sit and hold my baby and really bond with her that first week. It was SO NICE! When I had to drop my Mom off at the airport I was able to hold my composure until I got back into the car and drove five feet then the tears started coming. I was a blubbering mess! I miss my Mommy. I love her so much and hope she really knows how much I appreciate all she does for me. Thank you Mom!! I LOVE YOU!

Now what is wrong with this picture?? Everyone sleeping except for ME!!

We LOVE you Holly bear! You are the perfect addition to our family!

I just got the pictures back from Holland's one week photo shoot. The pictures are to die for cute. Hopefully I will get them posted soon! I know there are lots of grandparents who want to see more pics!