Feeling Good

Linnea is such a good nurser.  This is right after I fed her.

Look at that hair!  I told you Mom :)

Big Sister meets Little Sister.  They love each other already!

My three favorite people in the whole wide world!

Our first family picture :)

Here I am almost 24 hours later after giving birth and I'm feeling great (okay, not great, but I could be worse!).  Here's the lowdown of what happened.  I woke up yesterday morning at 3:30 thinking I was in labor by myself, but I wasn't.  So, I got ready for the day and Nate and I headed out to the Baylor Grapevine Hospital to check in at 6:00 AM for our scheduled induction.  My nurses were awesome and took great care of me.  At 7:30 my doctor broke my water (I was at 3-4 cm, 80% effaced).  Then they began the pitocin.  Holy cow I hate contractions!  They only gave me 2 doses of pitocin before I got my epidural.  Epidurals are the most amazing things ever invented. Come to find out, I was probably very close to being fully dilated before I got my epidural which is why I was in sooooooo much pain!  Nate was such a great support to hold my hand (I think I squeezed the life out of his a few times) and to tell me how pretty I was and what a great job I was doing :).  By the time my epidural kicked in, the nursed checked my cervix and I was fully dilated.  It was about 9:15 AM.  It was hard trying to push out Linnea b/c my epidural was so fresh and so strong.  Dr. Kilianski had to use a vacuum just barely to keep Linnea from going back up the birth canal after I pushed.  I pushed through 4 contractions and she was out!  It was such a great 2 hours of labor!  I think my body just reacts super well to pitocin.  I just need a little bit and I'm flying (the same thing basically happened with Keilah too).  

Nate and I are so blessed to have two little girls who are so precious and beautiful.  Keilah was scared at first to see me in a weird bed in a weird room, but she's been talking about "Baby Sister" practically non-stop!  Keilah gives Linnea kisses and points out her nose, eyes, mouth, hands, feet, etc.  I can't wait to watch these girls grow up together!  I'm feeling well.  I'm tired, very, very tired, but so happy.  The Lord has truly blessed my family!  Oh, I don't know if I posted Linnea's stats, so here they are...

Linnea Abigail Phillips

May 21, 2009  9:33 AM

8 lbs. 3 oz.

20 1/2 inches

blue eyes and lots of dark blonde hair!

I think she looks more like me than Keilah does, although there's definitely some Phillips in her as well.  I'm sure we'll be able to see it more in the next few days.  I'm hoping to get home from the hospital today so I can sleep all cozy in my bed and snuggle with my amazing husband, Keilah, and Linnea :)