Ringing in The New Year... (With a Bang)

And... a BABY!!!!

We had quite the party planned on New Years Eve, what with the induction of our new little baby all scheduled and ready to go. In case you haven't heard yet, we brought home our new baby girl, Jovie Noel Aleman on 12-31-2012. And, yes, I was just as shocked as you are to hear it was a girl. I seriously had no doubt we were having a boy, so it was quite the surprise, but a pleasant one all the same. Little girls are so good and sweet, and it makes toys, room sharing, clothes so VERY easy now. Plus, Peyton has been talking about her "sisters" for a long time, even before Jovie was born. And the day of our induction Heidi gave Peyton a little doll, and Peyton instantly started calling the doll Jovie, even though we hadn't decided on that name or anything at that point. So obviously it was meant to be.

Name info: Many people have been asking about her name. We are aware it's different, and it has been funny to see people's reaction to it. Some love it and others obviously are not so fond of it. Which is fine... we both like it a lot and really that's all that matters. Anywho, we knew we were due right around Christmas. So, one night we were discussing names and the fact that we could go "Christmassy" if we wanted. So obviously Joy, Holly, Noel, etc, were all tossed around, but I just didn't love any of them. So, we started talking about words that are associated with Christmas, and I said something about Jovial, which then led to Jovie. Wes wasn't so sure about that name, and other members of my family did not agree with me either. ;) But, at that point on, it was one of my top runners. One night we turned on the movie Elf, and we noticed that Zoe Deschanel's name in it was Jovie. And the more Wes heard it the more he liked it, and it became a front runner for him too. It wasn't until the hospital and seeing our baby that we decided on it. Noel is for both the time she was born and it's my little sister's middle name, so a little timely and family.

Anyways, now you get to hear the birth story... that is if you can handle it. I will warn those that suffer from jealousy and can't handle a really good labor and delivery story, because that's what mine was. It was really good and really easy and I intend on bragging because it was just that awesome and I can. And there will be lots of unflattering photos of me and a little too much personal info more than likely for most people. So consider this your warning.

I did use the power of positive thinking as seen on Oprah on our drive to the hospital. I told Wes I was going to employ this mindset, and I was just going to enjoy the whole experience regardless of pain or what would happen. I realize I only get to do this so many times and I need to enjoy the fact I get to do this and that birthing a child is such an honor and blessing that not everyone gets, and I should take advantage that I do.

12-31-2012, 7:30 am.... all ready to go.

8:00: Got to the hospital

9:05: checked in, IV in, and was finally checked.  Dilated 2/3 and 70% effaced
Had to wait on pitcocin for Dr.'s orders

11: still waiting for pitcoin but had been having contractions about 10 min apart somewhat regularly (I had been having contractions for the 3 days prior to being induced just not regularly)

11:45: FINALLY started pitocin
(every 30 min or so the nurse would come in and up the dosage. I was having contractions more regularly, but nothing really painful at this point.)

2:45: Having contractions about 2-3 min apart pretty regularly. Again, contractions hurt, but I could talk through them and they really weren't too bad. Uncomfortable yes, but Wes wasn't even sure I was having them until he asked... so you see they couldn't be that bad because I am somewhat wussy. :)

3:15: Only dilated to a solid 3!!! Are you serious?! But, I asked if we could start thinking about medicine because I was uncomfortable. It turns out the anesthesiologist was outside my room and my nurse went to talk to him. Had an epidural like 10 min. later to my shock. I never was in bad pain, but I welcomed it because it pretty much meant I wouldn't have terrible pain at all during labor. SCORE!!! However, not being in pain and getting an epidural is scary. Fo' reals!!! What a trip the whole experience was. My mom and Wes even were able to stay in the room the whole time. I focused on their faces, and had to laugh a little at Wes' face, he looked pretty uncomfortable. Dr. gave me a walking epidural (never heard of it) but it basically meant I could not feel contractions, but could move my legs and butt and stuff. It made me nervous I would feel too much during pushing, but he said he could up my dosage then if I wanted. Oookay.

just waiting....

4:45: Laying in bed talking to Wes and my mom and I said I think I am peeing. We thought maybe my catheter had fallen out so Wes went to find my nurse. She came in and said my catheter was good and I was just leaking a little... not sure what. She said she would check me and as she was about to check my water broke and water gushed out everywhere... seriously like a faucet. It was a TRIP! I couldn't believe how much fluid came out... it felt like I was totally peeing myself. Sorry if this is TMI, but I seriously did not enjoy the sensation... it was weird and disgusting. Dilated to a 4 at this point, and 80% effaced.

7:31: Dilated 8. Needed to labor down.

8:15: Dilated to 9.5, 100% effaced. Just a little more.

10 more minutes (or so) and pressure was crazy. I had her check and she said I was ready. She called the Dr at his home and said we would have to wait for him to get there. Nurse had me do 1 practice push to check. I started and she stopped me right away and said head was there and it would be fast. At this point, I had to do breathing to keep myself from pushing. It was hard because I felt like the baby would fall out of me or I was going to burst. It felt like forever for the Dr to get there.

I got pretty shakey towards the end and Wes would rub my chest which helped a lot. This is when I was waiting for the Dr to get there while I was holding the baby in.

Dr. got in at around 8:30ish or so, got the room and himself ready. At around 8:45ish we started pushing. 1.5 contractions, or 3 pushes (around 3-5 min) and baby was out. As I feared with the walking epidural I could feel more than I wanted (and more than with Peyton) and while I was pushing it felt like I was going to rip open. I wondered how much worse it would've been natural, because I swear the epidural eased the pain, but not much. Good thing it was fast. I said twice during pushing, "uh, this hurts." Like duh, I am pushing out a baby, of course it is going to hurt. BEST PART I didn't tear, or need an episiotomy.

8:51pm baby Jovie came

7 lbs 5 oz

19 1/4 in

So, this recovery has been AWESOME! I cannot believe how great I feel and what little pain (besides the cramping from my uterus going down) I feel. I loved my Dr and am so glad he didn't take precautions, because it has made things so great. Apparently, he said he is a pro at giving women no tearing or cutting. Thank you doctor!!!!

When Wes announced our baby was a girl I thought, no your wrong, it's a boy. He said even he did a double take. Then they laid her on me and I cried. Wes had been crying from the moment he saw her and said what she was. There is nothing like having a baby. It is wonderful, spiritual, and the best feeling in the world. It's funny how much you can love someone you've never met before. I loved her so much from the first time I ever saw her. What a wonderful experience to have had.

Funny note: We had been watching America's Funniest Videos while waiting. When everything happened I put it on mute so the others in the room could watch while they checked me and everything. I never got around to turning it off, so at one point during pushing I looked up and saw a funny video playing. While I didn't comment on it, I thought how funny it was that it was still on and that it made me happy. Wes while I was holding the baby in had been comforting me during my shaking, he said at points he found himself watching the videos and had to stop.

So, as I said, it was all wonderful. That night they moved me into my recovery room, Wes and I toasted in the New Year with sparkling cider and fell fast asleep.

Little Jovie reminds us so far a lot like Peyton. She rarely cries, sleeps ALL day, and is a sweetie-pie. Peyton did a little better at night, as Jovie is a snuggler. She sleeps like a champ being held, but does not like to be put down. Which makes for interesting nights. I usually try to get her to sleep in her little bed, but by like 4am, I give in and hold her while I sleep. Then I get to sleep too. But, we are all very happy and healthy.

Peyton was at grandparent's houses the first 3 days, and just came home Thursday night. She was soooo happy to be back and has been nothing but VERY SWEET to baby sister as she calls her. Otherwise she usually calls her Baby Wyatt, her new little cousins name. We have to keep reminding her that this is baby Jovie. But, all has been well, and I think she will just love her to pieces.

In the hospital she first came in and looked at Jovie and said, "ahhh, cute." Then began to play. She didn't care to hold her or anything. Towards the end she sat with me and took a picture, once she held her she liked it, even asking to do it again after.

Our first family picture with 4... yikes I have children now. :/

Our ward has taken great care of us, and again, I have felt nothing but blessed throughout this whole process. I have seen the blessings from the Lord in everything that has happened. Each child and the experience of bringing them into this world, and taking care of them reminds me of how much love He must have for each of us. I am grateful to be a mother again and look forward to getting to know this little girl better.


And just some randoms.....

 Look at all that dark hair.

 LOVED her bath.

 Hearing test.

 Going home at 9:45 pm Tuesday night, not a happy girl in her car seat the 1st time.

 Some of our visitors from the hospital....