Birth story + Newborn Pictures

February 14th was a special day. Valentine’s and the due date of our baby girl! since I didn’t feel like we would be spending it in the hospital, Todd and I went on one last date! Andria’s in the Ventura Harbor Village is our favorite place, so it seemed fitting!

we spent the rest of the weekend relaxing…just the 2 of us!

on Monday, February 16 {president’s day!} I woke up around 5:30am feeling a bit uncomfortable.  nothing to be alarmed about, just some tightening here and there.  I woke up Todd by accident and we decided he wouldn’t rush to work and we were able to go back to sleep.  when we got up a few hours later, I was still having the same feelings! my contractions were very inconsistent…but enough to decide today was the day! I showered and got ready {who knew when I was going to be able to do that again!} and we tried to relax.  around 10:30 we contemplated going to the hospital, but I was so inconsistent {6 min to like 15 minutes} that I wanted to wait so they didn’t turn me away! finally around 3:00 Todd put his foot down…and thank goodness he did! we left around 3:30, and the 40 minute ride to the hospital was difficult! I was definitely feeling more pain and the red lights did not help!

I was admitted upon arrival {around 4:30} and everything was so different than I imagined after that! everyone was calm and moving slowly. I was put into a triage room, given a gown and hooked up to the monitors for me and the baby. when I was checked at 5:30pm, I was only 3.5-4 cm! such a let down since I was 2.5-3 the week before at my appointment and I already felt like I was dealing with a lot of pain! by 7:30 I got my epidural {I definitely didn’t need to be the hero that day!} and it was AMAZING!! it was like night and day! I could have a conversation, relax and was definitely not as worried! at 8:30 pm I was STILL only 4 cm…

fast forward to 12:15…I was 6 cm and my water broke. and apparently that kick started our little girl! we were moved into the delivery room and by 2:15 am {now February 17th} I was 10 cm! I think started pushing around 2:45 and after about an hour and a half, our beautiful Aubrey was born!

my experience was so wonderful at Kaiser! I think I had crazy thoughts about how horrible it could be, so it ended up seeming very pleasant! since we were up early Monday and had no sleep that night, her first day was difficult! we spent one night in the hospital and were home in the early afternoon on Wednesday! although we were only there for less than 48 hours, being in the hospital was the hardest part. I never really felt comfortable and I just couldn’t wait to sleep in my own bed and take a good shower!

the first week at home is definitely a blur of breastfeeding, restless nights, and naps and pajamas all day. we got through though! on her 5th and 12th days {because I’m that crazy} we had pictures taken and they are ones I will cherish forever!

5 days new

{Kim Harvey Photography}