Evie's Birthday

Monday, March 30

4:45 AM Called the hospital to ensure they had a bed for us.
6:20AM Arrived at the hospital.
7:00AM Pitocin started to induce (Dr. Salley had left instructions for the nurses to begin my pitocin & not to wait on the doctor)
8:00AM Dr. Guidice broke my water.
9:00AM Epidural administered.
2:35ishPM Began pushing.
3:14PM Evelyn Elizabeth Bazemore was born,

weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounzes

21 1/2 inches long (same length as Eason)

full head of dark hair

Labor was amazing. NO, I repeat no pain. Prior to the epidural I merely felt some pressure. That's it. PRAISE THE LORD!!! In fact, during labor Warren, my mom and our nurse, Winter, were cracking so many jokes that we were all laughing histerically. It was quite surreal. Winter commented that she often couldn't tell from my monitor whether I was having a contraction or simply laughing hard.

Of course, I was not allowed to have anything to eat from the night before until after labor. So, by lunch time I was a little hungry. No big deal. I made a comment that I would love some starbucks. Soon after that, Dr. Guidice stopped in to check on my progress, carrying a Starbucks in his hand. I told him that was cruel, as I drooled over the thought of a grande, 1/2 caf, nonfat, white choc mocha, no whip.

Labor with Evie was an amazing experience. With Eason I was so out of it from having contractions all night long, getting dosed with nubane prior to my epidural, and then pushing for 2+ hours that I don't really remember much of what was happening or happened. With Evie, I didn't have pain, but I could feel the pressure of her being born. And I cannot even put into words the rush of emotion and the wonderment of seeing her lifted up by the doctor upon her entry into this world. To say it was beautiful and overwhelming is only a start. What a miracle! What a precious gift from an amazing God!!!

When Evie finally came out Dr. Guidice (no longer with the starbucks) caught her and proclaimed, "I think she's a nine-pounder." And she was close to it. Thank you Lord for a painless labor. Thank you Lord for a healthy baby. Thank you Lord for the gift, blessing and honor of being a mommy to two fearfully & wonderfully made children.

"Behold, children are a blessing from the Lord!"

Psalm 127:3

Here are some happy grandparents...

"The one thing in life that is not overrated is grandchildren"

Ed Pendarvis, Granddaddy of 7

Week 40

So, my doctor's appointment for week 40 rolled around on March 27th, and I was and had been all ready for the doc to tell me we could just go across the street and check in to the hospital. Instead, Dr. Salley told me I was, you guessed it, 2 cm & 80% effaced. Seriously, that's been my stat for a month now. He suggested inducing the next week and encouraged me that it shouldn't be badsince my cervix was already ripe for delivery. I really did not want to be induced, but to have labor progress naturally. We didn't want to go Friday, since those are kinda crazy days. Wednesday was April 1st, and I was not going to choose to have my baby on April Fool's Day. So, we went with Thursday to give as much time for her to come on her own. I was supposed to go back to work after my doc's appointment, but I was so disappointed that I decided to take the day off.

As the weekend progressed, I grew more uncomfortable. After prayer an many discussions, on why I was so opposed to inducing. (Basically, I had heard horror stories about painful & long labors b/c of inducing.) We decided to call Dr. Salley, who was on call over the weekend and see if the hospital had availability to take us earlier in the week. Dr. Salley offered Tuesday, since he was delivering that day, but I said, "anyway we can do Monday?" He called right back and said we were all set. Can I just reiterate again how wonderful this doctor's practice is, from support staff to nurses to doctors. I am so thankful for them all.

We let the family know we were gonna meet Evie the next day and Mark brought my mom up so she could be with us for the delivery. Unfortunately Mark couldn't get off that day, so he had to go back to Charleston. It is really weird after wondering each day, if this was the day she would come, to all of a sudden know the day Evie would be born.

Potty Training...Awareness

Yes, this is a jump from my 39 weeks post to now, and I will try to be better about posting. It seems each day with my two blessings is filled with hilarious stories that must be written down for posterity and I think this morning's was enough to get me back to blogging.

Eason has been going tee tee on the potty since he was 18 months, when he asked me if he could tee tee on the potty. But it has only been recently that we have undertaken full-fledged potty training. I am learning that most 3 year old kindergartens won't take a child unless they are potty-trained, and since we hope to enroll Eason for next year, we have some work to do. We have set aside the pull-ups and are in "big boy pants." For the most part, Eason is doing well, with some mishaps from time to time. His Grandmomma is also helping in this adventure.
Whenever I remind him that we need to go pee pee or poopy on the potty, he is quick to correct me and say "in the potty."
This morning, as Eason was stepping down off of the potty, he announced to me, "Mommy, I have a penis." (Before today, Eason had referred to his penis as his peeny)

"Yes, baby you do have a penis."
"Mommy, do you have a penis?"
"No, baby, Mommy is a girl and girl's don't have penises."
"Mommy, does Daddy have a penis?"
"Yes, baby Daddy has a penis."

Then he proceeded to ask the above question about each of his grandparents, Grandmomma, Granddaddy, La La, Granddaddy Ed, Nee Nee, Mark. And finally said, "is that all the people?"
I certainly hope so.

On this same thought, Eason enjoys praying and has one rather unintelligable prayer that he repeats both for meal time blessings and prayers before bedtime. Then Daddy or I follow up with another prayer. Sometimes though, Eason gets filled with a thankful spirit and begins to thank God for many things like closets, walls, doors, windows, etc. It is super sweet to hear him be so thankful. Last Sunday night we were praying as a family, thanking God for dinner. While Warren was praying Eason piped up loudly and prayed, "and God, thank you for my peeny going pee pee in the potty!"

Both Warren and my eyes opened wide and it was all we could do to not bust out laughing. It was awesome! I love that kid!