But I was too excited to wait. I had made up my mind I was going to have her on her due date. My parents had come to Fayetteville for the day on Saturday and tagged along as I finished up some errands including grocery shopping to get the cabinets stocked. I had decided that morning that I had not planned adequate headwear for E so I picked up some tiny hats - this was a February baby after all, what was I thinking?!
In an effort to get things going, we ate a spicy pizza for lunch and I went on a walk that afternoon. I text messaged Dan, who was volunteering at a high school track meet: "Went for a brisk walk. Still no baby." To which he responded "Oh jeez."
My parents headed home and I assured them Murphy's Law was on our side. Since they had just been up that day and were now leaving - we could only assume as soon as they got home - I would go into labor and they would have to come right back.
One really great thing about being pregnant is you're totally allowed to stay home all the time and be super boring, under the guise that "I'm exhausted!, My legs/feet are so swollen!, I am concerned about being too far away from the refrigerator and television!"
So needless to say - plans for that night included feeding Dan the leftover pizza and watching TV. We discussed watching a movie but deemed that "too much effort."
Around 10:30, I got up to use the bathroom (for the 20th time). Then as I walked back tot the living room I though I wet my pants a little. Or it was time!
"I think my water broke - or I peed my pants?" I said to Dan. A moment later it was very clear - It was time to go to the hospital. We high-fived. Because we are the dorkiest people.
As anyone who really loves me knows - I am always super prepared for everything so I threw my pre-packed bag in the car and we were off moments later.
OR, closer to the truth - Dan and I scrambled around, changing out of jammmies, into clothes and throwing things into a bag. I DID actually have Eleanor's things picked out and put aside and, thanks to a thoughtful gift from my sister-in-law, a bag full of any toiletries anyone could want. I called my parents and confirmed that I was, in fact, right about Murphy's Law and come on back to Fayetteville. They actually did have their overnight bag packed and ready to go. First grand baby and all.
Because of the late hour, we had to check in through the emergency room. By this time, my pants were soaked (sorry) and I was a little embarrassed. As the lady in admitting brought the wheel chair to take me to labor and delivery, I looked at her square in the eye:
"Um, I have wet my pants completely - should I still sit down in the chair?"
"Thanks, but I think it will be OK."
We got to the birthing suite, Eleanor and I were given a once over by the nurse, everything looked good. They sent the anesthesiologist in to give me my epidural which went off without a hitch (but the doctor who administered it was a bit of a grumpy-bear type and not particularly responsive to my nervous chatter during the process. They stick a needle into your SPINE! As a first timer - some fear babble should be expected.
Even though by now it was near midnight I sent a text message out to some of my friends and my sisters:
"Baby time! Water broke this evening. Checked and waiting for her to arrive. :)"
My parents and youngest sister as well as my brother and his fiancee got there a short time later, we talked for a while but everyone decided it was better to get some sleep while we could. The ruse said I was not dilating very fast and it would likely be hours before I began to push.
Everyone went to the hotel and Dan settled in on the tiny hard sofa that pulled out to a tiny hard bed. So comfy!
I did not sleep, feeling very much like a kid on Christmas Eve.
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