Taylie Hope: Our Party Girl

After the twins people would assume we were done having children. We always knew that we were not but the discussion of when we should have another one was one of great concern. It took almost a year to have the twins but Lydia was our honeymoon baby. We finally decided that we would start trying for another baby when the boys were about 16 months. They would at least be two years apart but we were hoping that it would take a little longer so that the space between them would be greater. I learned that when you plan, God laughs.

June 6, 2009 Alex's 26th Birthday

A positive pregnancy test.

After only one month of trying.

Surprise!

Alex made me take 2 more tests just to be sure. We did the math and by our calculations our baby would be born February 11, 2010. Just a week after the twins and 2 days after my birthday. Wow, not quite what we were expecting but we were happy none the less. I thought it would be fun if she was born on my birthday or Valentines day. Just not on the boys birthday, they already had to share.

We decided that we would wait to tell family until we knew what the sex was and how many just in case. My pregnancy went like my others, very sick in the first trimester. So sick that I wasn't able to hide it from my coworkers. That and I was so emotional they knew something was up, and I finally had to confess. I was so tired with this pregnancy that instead of taking my 1/2 hour lunch break, I would go into an exam room, set an alarm on my phone and would take a nap.

We were nervous for our first appointment with Dr N. Would their be one baby or two? As we reviewed my history he asked about my other deliveries. I told him about Lydia and when I got to the twins and mentioned the emergency c section his response was. "Oh I remember that, it is never a good thing if a Doctor remembers your delivery." I wasn't sure if I should be proud or worried.

He started the ultrasound and we were excited to find that we were just having one, and I just knew it would be a girl. We hadn't even told our children but I soon found Lydia asking me when we were going to have another baby, she said my belly was growing like it did when we had the boys.

I found her telling my parents that mommy's belly is getting bigger. I had to lie when they asked if I was pregnant. But soon enough we told the kids we were going to have a baby and that we were taking them with us to find out if it was a boy or girl.  The verdict a GIRL!!!. We bought pink balloons and announced it to my family. It was Alex's Dads birthday so we decided that we would sign the card and baby girl . It took a few reads but they were so excited.

This pregnancy was different than the twins, I was working full time again. It was fun being with my friends, having them feel the baby kick and showing them my ultrasound pictures. I soon found out though that as much as they love me they wouldn't be willing to deliver my baby for me.

February 2010

Dr N. is concerned about my blood pressure and wants to induce me on February 4th, I was able to talk him out of that day as it was the twins birthday but he made me promise to come in that night to be induced and deliver on the 5th. I took what I could get and promised I would.

February 3, 2010

The night before the boys birthday we decorated the house so that they would be surprised when they woke up the next morning. My job as I was much too big to do anything else was to blow up a pack of balloons. A pack of 72 balloons. It mimicked pushing, so I thought it was a good idea to keep it up. To remind myself how it was, prepare by body. Bad idea.

February 4, 2010 the Boys 2nd Birthday

I woke up to my last day of work, I was excited and nervous to be started. I had gone into labor by myself with my others so this would be something new. I remember brushing my teeth and feeling the most painful cramp in my life. It only lasted about a minute and then stopped. I was surprised at the intensity of the pain as my other contractions had always happened in my back. Let me tell you abdominal contractions hurt MUCH worse. It happened twice on my way to work. Oh Crap, I though please not yet I have a party to go to tonight. As I walked from my car into my office at the hospital I thought I was going to have to flag a passerby to get me wheelchair because they were so bad I was doubled over in pain unable to walk. Somehow I made it, I put on a brave face and said hi to my lovely friends. And headed to my office next to theirs. Luckily it was just me and the doctor and because he is a specialist his appointments lasted about an hour. I was able to sit and track my contractions. Every 3-5 minutes and would last about 2 minutes. Oh no, this is really happening. I wonder if I can make it until the end of the day.

Another contraction and I am doubled over my desk eyes closed counting when I hear my dear friend Jamece yell "OMG! I am getting Ruth!" I am not I yelled at her retreating foot steps. Ruth came and looked at my numbers, she said to give it a little more time. I was soon greeted by my other nurse friends Faith and Kelly who told me to get my but to labor and delivery because they didn't want to have to deliver me in the office. They even told me they would take me there in a wheelchair if necessary. I told them I would go as soon as I could tell the Doctor.

I called Alex and told him I was in labor, he thought I was joking with him. He said do you know what today is? I told him of course I did I was doing the same thing two years ago, but trying to stop a baby from coming when they want to is like trying to stop a train at full force. He told me to go to labor and delivery and see what they said and then call him back.

As I made my way to labor and delivery I instantly regretted not taking them up on the offer for the wheelchair. It probably took me 20 minutes to walk there. Once I got their and the nurses examined me they said I wasn't going anywhere that the baby was on her way today.

I pulled my cell phone out to call Alex and just as I did I got a text from my office manager with a picture of a cake and telling me they were having a surprise shower for me in the lunch room and to come join them. I told her I would love to but that the nurses weren't letting me leave labor and delivery. She was so excited! I guess in the commotion I forgot or assumed the others would tell her they made me leave so they wouldn't have to deliver me. (You know I love you ladies)

I called Alex and told him to call my mom to watch the kids and cancel the party because we were gonna have a baby. It was just after this that the nurse decided to inform me that Dr N was in a surgery and so they couldn't admit me and get me a room until they spoke with him. This was about noon. This also meant that I couldn't have my epidural, even though I was at 5 almost 6cm. I decided to chat with the nurses to take my mind off my contractions. And mentioned to them about the shower I was missing on the 3rd floor. And to my surprise they pulled some strings and got me a room so that my work could bring the shower to me. She also was able to give me a morphine shot to help relieve some of the pain from the contractions. It was great except when I had a contraction I could still feel them but I was very relaxed in between. My office came and brought my presents and balloons and we had a great time in my little private room. Alex arrived and I could see the look of disbelief. We were going to have 3 kids with the same birthday. WOW!

Dr N finally got out of surgery at 4:30 and came in an broke my water and okayed the epidural. Alex had always wanted me to try and have her at home because it would be cool if he could deliver her. Thankfully Dr N said he would let Alex help him and 2 hours after my water broke we were ready to have a baby! Almost. She was posterior like her older sister. But Dr N worked miracles and was able to turn her and at 6:51pm Taylie Hope Turner entered the world with the help of her Daddy.

She weighed in at 7 lbs 1oz and was 20 inches long.

She has been loved from the moment she arrived by everyone.

Our Little Family

She stole our hearts from the moment she has arrived. I remember when we brought her home I had to have her nap in the bassinet in the room the kids were playing because the boys were worried about "their baby" they always had to know where she was and even if Alex or I left the room with her they would cry for their baby. It was so cute. And Lydia she loves having a little sister to dote on Taylie loves each one of them. She never wants to miss anything. Especially a party.

I am sure many wonder if we are done now that we have 2 of each. 

Only time will tell.

Oh and if you are ever in need of inducing labor try blowing up balloons, it worked for me!