And Don't YOU Forget It!

Cousin Jaime had her 2nd beautiful baby girl today...Olivia Brynn Barouh!  A whopper at 8 lbs, 10 oz!  I spoke with my Aunt this afternoon as Jaime was pushing and she reluctantly told me that she was given an epidural just after arriving for her induction this morning since she was good to go and spent the day laboring pretty much PAIN FREE!  When Olivia arrived, I called Jaime up to also find out that after 2 minutes of pushing and basically "giggling" the baby out she pretty much had the best labor and delivery of all time. I've also seen the video of Ava's arrival and found the "chit chat" between pushes quite annoying. Now, being 3 weeks away from what I anticipate being the labor and delivery of another whopper of a baby myself (Marlie was 8 lb 6 oz and Harper 9 lb 6 oz) I have to admit I am a little extremely jealous!  I had the luxury of an epidural with both girls, both inductions, and both times didn't last very long working thru the intensity of the contractions without it.  So going into the pushing phase I had high hopes, both times, that that little epidural would do what it is intended to do and give some relief down there.  Well, I'm 0 for 2...expecting to be 0 for 3, but also planning on SERIOUSLY communicating with the anesthesiologist my past experiences and my high expectations for a "Jaime-like" final hour.   You see, I am the woman in the movies...screaming, cursing, begging, pleading, crying, veins popping out of my forehead.  With Marlie, it was so bad my own mother had to slap me.  Yes, its true.  We have it on video.  I even asked my sweet doctor to "vacuum her out."  And with Harper, my sweet doctor actually said "goodness gracious mercy me!" as Harper was stuck at her shoulders.  Yes, its true.  We have it on video.  This, in addition to surviving the last 4 1/2 years of motherhood, is my badge of honor.

After congratulating my dear cousin it occurred to me that I have something "on" her...I will forever be able to guilt my growing girls with the pain and suffering I went thru to bring them into this world.  I have a feeling this will be a big part of my arsenal in their teenage years...I might even pull out the videos from time to time.  I can already hold over Kai the doozie of a pregnancy I've had and hopefully he will be my one successful epidural delivery.  Actually, we are heading in on Monday to find out how big this boy might be and I am mentally preparing for a c-section to get him out...finding peace in the belief that with a c-section I WILL be very NUMB!  Right?

Welcome to the world Miss Olivia! Hugs and kisses to those sweet, chubby, little cheeks!  Congrats Barouhs!