Birth Story

Birth Story

Well, you didn't come on your own, so we decided to go with the induction on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019. We had a 9:00am check in, which I loved because I was able to get the big kids off to school, take a shower, do my hair and makeup, and eat a good breakfast. My mom was here so Millie was excited to play with her all day. Your dad was suppose to be in work early today to help with the c-section, so I was joking that my mom was going to have to drive me in to have this baby. Last minute and one of the other doctors stepped in to take over for Mike so we were able to check in together.

We started Pitocin around 10:00, and settled in the long day. We read books, watched shows on our phones, and browsed the internet. I wasn't feeling any of the contractions but was making steady progress. I didn't want to come in with a birth plan because I cared about was a healthy baby and healthy me. I signed the paper work for an epidural so when that moment came, we were ready. They warned me, "don't wait too long or you will reach that point of no return." Well, I still wasn't feeling much so I thought I should keep waiting. Around 3:00, we were watching an episode of Parks and Rec and the contractions were coming a bit stronger. I was starting to need to visualize through them, so the show was becoming distracting. Your dad asked if I wanted to watch another one, but I told him that I should probably start focusing on this labor. They came in to check me and I was at an 8. Wow, I am really far and I am still not in pain. I have always wanted to go natural, but in the back of my head, I still had that fear of the unknown amount of pain ahead. I asked your dad if he could see anything, but he said no but we were really close. I guess he wanted to say 30 more minutes, but didn't dare give me a time frame in case he was wrong. At that point, the doctor looked at me and said, we have reached that point of no return and I was in for a natural birth whether I was ready or not. I quickly became complete and was about to push. I have always been so nervous about going to the bathroom while pushing, especially if the doctor's face is right there. I have felt like I needed to go for a bit but had been holding it in. Finally I told your dad, "I either got to fart or poop and I can't hold it anymore. I am just going to do it." Well, that feeling was you and you came out in one push.

The laid this beautiful, dark hair baby girl on my chest. Not going to lie, I was still hurting for ripping a bit, so it was hard to fully enjoy the moment, but we were so excited that you were here and healthy. You weighed 7lbs 6 oz and was 21 inches long. We spent some time just the three of us getting to know you and figuring out what your name would be. We decided on Joanna Bennett Matthews. Joanna is my sister's name, though we call you JoJo, and Bennett was Great Grandma Matthews's maiden name. Your siblings came over after dinner with Grandma Price. You were so excited to meet you and loved your name, that was their  favorite.

Everything was healthy between both of us so we were able to go home the next afternoon. Nursing has gone so easy for you from the beginning. You gained weight like crazy. You are a get sleeper. You love to be snuggled, which makes having you lay down on your own a bit of a struggle. However, grandparents were here for the first 2 1/2 weeks so I have been able to soak up all the cuddling time with you.

We love you so much and are so thrilled to have you be in our family.

39 Weeks

39 Weeks

Well, my mom was gone this weekend in Utah for Amelia's baptism but she is back now so you can official come. Please do! I have the car seat in the van ready to go, Sister Rodriguez is our on-call baby sitter, and I have stopped calling people on the phone because every time I do, they want to know if I have had you yet. Nope. Everything is looking healthy though in our appointments. I do have an induction date set for Oct 22 if you don't come on your own. My mom should be here Friday night, so we will just have to wait and see what happens. I am a bit sad doing my last for a while this week. I taught Maggie's class, helped in Sam's class, read for Story time, and finished up all my photography. We borrowed a ton of dryers this week to try to finish up all the drying of the fruit so I don't have to worry about that when you get here. Mike still thinks that I am crazy for how much I am doing right now, but I just have this gut feeling that I am going to have to shut down for a few months when you come.

36 Weeks

36 Weeks

Well, it is crunch time now to get ready for you. I know you will probably not come early, but I pulled out all the baby clothes, washed them and organized them. We got the baby swing out and the bouncer (though Millie took over them with all her dolls). I am starting to get your hospital bag together. You would think that after three babies, I would remember what to put in there, but I went on Pinterest to look over those packing list just in case. Boy, I forgot some crucial things, like a pacifier and a blanket to warm you up in on our way home. I am still trying to figure out who to call as my back up sitter in case you come at night time.

34 Weeks

34 Weeks

Well, it hit me this week that you are coming really soon. With help from everyone, I pulled out all the baby stuff and started sorting through them and washing what you needed. I don't have a lot of warm stuff, so we made a shopping list for when we were in Spokane next week. I am hoping to have everything put away neatly in their baskets and have the room ready by 36 weeks.

I have a big list of things I want/need to get done before you come. Every day, I feel very overwhelm with all the garden and produce. I am really looking forward for you to come because I said that I am going to be done, whether I am actually done or not. So although I know I was be so tired having given birth and feeding through the night, I look forward to just focusing on you.

30 Weeks

30 Weeks

You are starting to move a ton more. Both Maggie and Sam have been wanted to feel you move more. Sam laughs at the idea that you are kicking me and punching me from the inside. He loves screaming hi to you through my belly and swears you can smell our food. Maggie is more sweet about it. It amazes her how you move across my belly. She keeps asking if she gets to carry you around once you come because she is older now than when Millie was born. I am having to start putting naps back into the daily routine. I am still hot, my legs look my mom legs, my feet can get so swollen that I can't wear certain food. I love you still and can't believe that you will be here sooner than later.

28 Weeks

28 Weeks

I was so excited to turn 28 weeks in Oregon because that means I am officially in my third trimester. Uncle Josh was there, so I tried to be as obnoxious as I could about it to him, saying things like, "Josh can you take my plate for me, I'm in my third trimester." or "Josh, can you get me a glass of water, I am in third trimester." I love how he ran with it and even bought me chocolate ice cream. By the end, I think I said the words "third trimester" at least 50 times in the course of 3 days. The night of this photo, we went to First Friday Art Walk in Silverton. I was starting to get a head cold, but when we were there, I was feeling so much pain in my "woo ha". We came home and I just curled up on the couch, honestly believing that I was going into labor. It was so late and being pregnant makes me quite irrational. I was thinking about if you came early and had to be in the NICU, would the kids start school late in Idaho, would I have to home school them, or go to school for two months in Oregon. In the morning, I felt fine and had to tell your dad all the crazy thoughts I had with it. He laughed and said that if I was to deliver early, Oregon would be the best place. Thank goodness you stayed in because we want you to be as healthy as possible.

26 Weeks

26 Weeks

We made it to the Matthews family Reunion today. On the drive over, I noticed that I am getting varicose veins. I am not happy about this, you punk of a kid. Your dad told me that they will most likely leave after you come, but they sure make my legs look like mom legs now. I mentioned that your movement is getting stronger, but I now can see you move from the outside. It is always crazy to see something bubbling around under my skin. We are so excited to have you be growing healthy, and we really do love you.

24 Weeks

24 Weeks

Your little kicks are getting stronger and stronger get day. I finally was able to have the big kids put their hand on my tummy and feel you kick around. They were so excited to feel something real. You are getting lots of songs sung to you. My energy is feeling great. I am able to keep up with the house and yard work, but night time sleeping is getting quite challenging. I had to go buy a fan to put right on me. Poor dad, he gets cold at night, so he has had to put an extra blanket just on him.

23 Weeks

23 Weeks

We are so excited to find out that you are a girl. We are starting to talk names a bit, but I always get nervous once the moment comes that I only get to pick one. The ones that I am leaning on are Joanna ("JoJo") or Lucille ("Lucy"). Both are strong family names. Your dad hestiates against Lucy because my parents dog was named Lucy. We will see.

Funny story: Went over to the neighbors to pick up Maggie and I causally mentioned something about being pregnant. She said, "Oh, congrats. I didn't want to ask. I just thought you had a lot of tacos for lunch!"

Gender Announcement

This is what we used to tell our friends that we were expecting a girl!

Eighteen Weeks

18 Weeks

We found out you are a girl!!! I am so thrilled. On Mother's day, we went into the hospital after hours to sneak a peak at you. It was such a sweet Mother's Day gift. We asked the kids what they thought the gender was going to be. Maggie said she thought it was a girl but hoped for a boy for Sam's sake. Sam said the same thing. Millie said it was a puppy. Your dad and I knew the whole time that you were going to be girl. I am already planning the fun things you get to do with your princess sisters and the strong knight of a brother that gets to protect all of you.

As far as pregnancy goes, I am feeling great. For the most part, I don't need to take a nap because a lot of my energy is back. Evenings are still chilled, but I will take that. If I am really still, I can feel a little flutter. You think after being number 4, I would recognize it better, but it is still hard to pin point if it is you moving or just the juices mixing.

Twelve Weeks

12 Weeks

We are excited that you get to be the grand finale for our family. The kids have been begging for one more baby in our family so you are for sure wanted here. At the beginning of the pregnancy, you zapped all my energy out. I would fall asleep by 9:00pm each night and have a hard time getting out of bed by 7:00am to get the kids ready for school. Then each day I would nap for an hour and then take another 1-2 hours to actually wake up. Sam would snuggle with me in bed while I read books and then we would snuggle on the couch and watch a show because I just didn't have the energy to do anything. I had about 2 hours in the morning that I felt good to do something (usually would play with friends during that time) and 2 hours in the evening (just enough to make dinner and get kids ready for bed). Needless to say, I am anxious for this phase to end soon. Being number 4, my baby bump came early. I have been trying to wear clothes that hide it because we weren't ready to tell. At 11 weeks, we had our appointment and ultrasound and everything looks good. So now the news is out and friends and family are excited!