Isabella’s Birth Day ~ Part 1

October 3rd, 2010. The most beautiful day. EVER.

It all started Christmas of 2009. After some pray and serious conversation,  Derrik and I decided it was time…time to start a family. So after reading a certain book, “Taking Charge of Your Fertility” (a beautiful book about natural birth control and pregnancy achievement), we started trying to conceive. I began charting my cycle. February rolled around and after 18 days of an increased oral temp (FAM -fertility awareness method- jargon for + preggo test), I was pretty sure we were going to have a little baby. There were a few other signs as well…one being an extreme wave of nausea in the car. BUT we decided to take a test just to be sure….

The day I took the test was Super Bowl Sunday (aka Super Baby Sunday). We had decided to wait until that night, after our Navigator Super Bowl Party. I was anxious all day. I had experienced another wave of nausea while preparing the guacamole for the party…very suspect. Finally the time came. I was giddy and hopeful, but also expecting disappointment. So I peed. We waited. and….it was positive…and we were ecstatic! (still a little cautious, I took another test in the morning…also +). After only 1 month of trying, we were pregnant. I hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly and I am so grateful. It truly shows that the Lord’s timing is perfect.

So then I experienced my first pregnancy. It was easy. Beautiful. Special. Quick (looking back). Isabella, (or Baby D(eWitt) as we loving referred to our little bean since we waited until she was born to find out the sex) was quite the mover. I first felt her at 19 weeks and Derrik felt her 2 days after. I will never forget that moment. It was the most amazing feeling and I ache for it even now. She never stopped moving – and still hasn’t – our little busy Izzy. I gained 23 lbs. I got cankles. I got eczema of the armpits (weird, I know!). I ate box after box of Honey Nut Cheerios. I experienced mood shifts (one of extreme anger – wrath that I have never experienced before or since). I fit into my regular jeans until 30ish weeks. I lost sleep. I peed, a lot. I craved sandwiches. It was a lovely thing.

I felt confident that Isabella would arrive on time (October 15th) or late. All my friends went late. I thought I would too.

On Saturday, October 2nd, I was highly emotional. I was nesting and bored. We had been to the Dr. Baiza on Thursday and he assured me after checking, that I would not be having the baby any time soon – at least not in the next week. I cried and cried to Derrik (and the Lord) about how I just wanted the baby to come. I wanted to hold him or her. I was ready (ya right!). He cared for me, distracted me by getting me some lunch and watching a movie with me. At 3:30 pm, I decided to treat myself to a bath and a book. I crawled in and literally  soaked for over an hour. It was lovely. I think I almost fell asleep. I finally decided to get out. I called for Derrik because at 38 weeks pregnant, it was super difficult to get out of the tub unassisted. He helped me out and I toweled off. At this point, I realized that I was leaking…and I was convinced it was still bath water. Derrik told me over and over again that he thought it was my water breaking. I was in serious denial. But with every few steps, there was more fluid. In shock, I decided to call my momma. I told her what was going on and she told me to call the hospital (which Derrik had already told me to do). So I called and they told me to eat first and come in.

All the sudden, I got entirely emotional. My bag was only partially packed. My house wasn’t super clean. I wasn’t as ready as I thought. So I downed a banana and some cereal. Packed my bag. Put on some make-up (I was convinced to look great in all my labor photos!). And we left for the hospital. I cried the entire way there. I was sad. I was scared. I wasn’t ready. I was in denial. I was happy. I was excited. Everything…I felt it all. But mostly, I didn’t feel ready. I immediately thought back to my emotions that morning. In my silent prayer, I took everything back. I could wait. I wanted my two more weeks! or at least one!!

We arrived at the hospital around 6 pm, and after snapping a few pics (see above), we headed up to the birthing center. I still wasn’t completely convinced that my water had broken. But after an examination, the nurse assured me that I was indeed in labor and I would be staying. Not only would I be staying, I would be having the baby within 24 hours due to the increased risk of infection with the water breaking. Not only was I staying and having a baby, I was only still only 1 cm dilated (like Thursday). So after settling into our room, we started to walk the ward, hoping to get things moving. We also called my parents, Derrik’s parents, and a few friends to let them know what was happening!