Meet Della

Della May Goodrich was born at 7:30 a.m. on November 25th. She weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. It all started at about 4:30 in the morning when I felt my first contraction. I definitely knew the feeling, but didn't get my next one 'til 10 minutes later and the doctors always say don't come in 'til they're at 3-5 minutes apart and very consistent, so I thought it was going to be a while. So, they were coming every 10 minutes 'til 5:00 and I thought I'd get up and walk around maybe get something to eat and watch TV to get my mind of them. Well, as soon as I got up and walked to the kitchen then next one was 4 minutes later and strong. I was thinking to myself, "should they hurt this bad this early?" So, I made myself some breakfast while they kept coming strong every 4 minutes. It was only 5:15 but I thought I better pack our last minute things just in case this was it. As I was pulling out our bag, Ryan woke up and asked "is it time?" and I just nodded my head saying "I think so."

So, we got Sara and headed to the hospital. I couldn't believe we were going to the hospital when my contractions had only been regular and 4 minutes apart for like 30 minutes. But they were so bad! They continued the whole way there and just kept getting a little worse, I didn't think we were going to make it to Ryan's parent's to drop of Sara so we had his dad meet us at the hospital. As I was signing in, the nurses were looking at me kind of funny, and asking "has your water broke or anything?" probably because I haven't been having contractions for very long, and labor usually takes hours. (one nurse actually admitted later she thought they were going to send me home 'cause she didn't think I was in true labor)

So, they got me in a room and just kept asking me questions, not really acting too concerned while I was just in this agonizing pain! Finally they checked me and said I was dilated to a 7. As soon as they realized how far I was they called 2 more nurses in the room and got the bed ready, called the doctor and anesthesiologist. I was worried I wasn't going to get the epidural in time, but he showed up pretty quick and gave me the kind that is supposed to work faster. It really started working instantly. I was an 8 by the time I got it, then a 9 the first time the doctor checked me. He said he'd be back in 10 minutes to check me again, and by that time I was ready to go, and it was time to start pushing!

One push later and Della was here. Ryan started saying "It's a girl!" I really didn't believe him I had been so convinced my entire pregnancy that it was a boy. I said "No way." He said, "Look!" So I really had to look and see for myself that we had a girl. I couldn't be more excited about it, even though I was sure it was a boy, I wanted a girl. Just because she and Sara are going to be so close together, I thought it'd be fun if they were both girls. And we also have everything girl, so I can use a lot of Sara's stuff for Della.

We couldn't believe how much Della looked like Sara. She seriously looked just like Sara when she was born. But it's funny, now that she's home and a week older, she doesn't look like Sara quite as much. She kind of has her own little look that I love.

I haven't been real good at taking pictures since she's been home just because she's been in those lights. But, now she's out, so hopefully I'll be better at taking more. I can't even explain how much joy these girls bring to my life. Ryan and I couldn't be happier right now and are loving being parents of two. There really is nothing better than having a newborn in the house. Good thing this isn't my last! 'Cause it's going to be sad when that day comes. So, I'm going to enjoy every minute while I can!