Mama of Two - Zoey’s Here!

Hey. Hi. Hello. Appreciate everyone who is still here and has been more than patient with this gal (me if that’s wasn’t clear). I cant deny it.. I was slacking on writing this post. So many thoughts, so much to share.. and I’ve been too overwhelmed to add a blog post to my plate. BUT as always.. with time (hate it but it’s true!) I’ve come to get the hang of this mom of two thing a bit more.. sooooo here I go with sharing how Zoey Renee entered the world.

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December 23, 2021, 3:00 AM

I wake up with mild contractions, the moment I had been waiting for!! For the first time all pregnancy I started timing them, and as Bobby was getting ready for work I told him I think today is the day! Both of us sat talking from that point on until 6:45 AM with so much excitement and nerves just waiting for Aubrey to wake up so we could have one last morning together as a family of three!! The contractions were never “hospital worthy”, and as we became impatient they began to fade.

December 23, 2021, 7:30 AM

As contractions began to slow down, and eventually stopped some time later.. I was beyond bummed and upset. I had gotten my hopes up and then BAM, let down. I was so over being pregnant at this point too, so it really, really blew. Plus Bobby had stayed home from work, so I felt guilty! It clearly worked out the way it was supposed to, but in the moment I just thought I was going to be pregnant forever.

Bobby starts making breakfast (as he does every morning he is home) and we are all eating, trying to get back to just enjoying our time together. Looking back, I very much enjoyed the late night delivery because it just meant more one on one time with my girl. Later, Aubrey and I couldn’t stop laughing at a Cocomelon episode that contained lemons, and her belly laughs had me crying from laughter while I bounced on my birthing ball. Most of the day continued this way, myself taking in every moment with Aubrey as my only child knowing it was about to change.

December 23, 2021, 3:30 PM Aubrey and I decided to bundle up and walk around outside as we were both stir crazy at this point. So much TV and snuggling we both needed some air. Maybe it was timing or the walking BUT contractions started again and they were coming on quick! We were at my neighbors house for a bit and they even noticed during the hour we were there that this was probably the real thing. I was not expecting this. At all. My excitement QUICKLY turned to anxiety and nerves. Would I get to the hospital in time? Would Aubrey be ok? Was Bobby currently lost at the grocery store and if so, would Katie and Jonathan be delivering this baby in their kitchen?

December 23, 2021, 5:30PM

Contractions began to be a minute long.. and after about 5 of them I said screw it we are going now. I was not going to wait a full hour at this point as if anyone recalls what happened with Aubrey.. I waited too long anddd almost had a car birth.

I called my dad, told him we were coming and I immediately burst into tears. So many emotions filled my brain. Would I miss Christmas with Aubrey? Ow. Would Aubrey sleep tonight? Did I wrap all her gifts? OW. Would she hate me for giving her a sibling? I miss my mom. I can’t believe she’s going to miss this. OW. OW. OW. After the tears somewhat stopped, we raced to my dads with Aubrey in her pajamas and made the quick drop of.. and eagerly raced to GBMC all while I could feel things progressing.

December 23, 2021, 7:30 PM

We are admitted! WAHOO. But also OW. The first thing I said was to start an IV and give me the epidural ASAP. I was not well, I also do not handle pain well. I feel as if thats almost rude of me to say about myself in a way.. because I’m having a dang baby!! It obviously is not very comfortable.. ANYWAY.

I eventually get the beautiful invention of the epidural that takes most of my pain away. True magic. Then my water burst just like in the movies about 15 minutes later and I yelled “what the hell was that” and everyone rushed to get things situated to push. I can feel Zoey about to join the world.. literally I could feel her about to fall out of me. Weirdest feeling ever.

December 23, 2021, 10:21PM

After 6 minutes of pushing (no joke, she was ready) the midwife had Zoey in her hands. She asked Bobby to tell everyone the gender and he said “GIRL!”.. to be honest we were shocked. We totally thought she was a he.

Zoey was placed on my chest and I gazed into her eyes as we met for the first time. I was in disbelief of how the event just played out because it happened so quick.. and also that she was a girl. I had so many dreams about what the moment would be like finding out the gender this way and I always dreamt a boy! Part of me wanted a boy because I was nervous to have two girls.. so many that’s why. I however CLEARLY would not change a thing. The experience of finding out the gender at birth was so cool, however I couldn’t fully grasp the feeling of boy or girl right then and there as I had so much adrenaline and thoughts as I just birthed a child.

Delivering my girls are the two best days of my life, nothing prepares you for it!

So, that’s the story. Another fast delivery for me, not sure why my kids like to go from zero to 100, but they’re here! We got home Christmas Day in the afternoon and I got my wish of celebrating as a family of four!!

Bobby was then home for 2 weeks with us, which was amazing! We all bonded so much and I’ll always smile thinking about it. Aubrey has bonded with her sister so well, better than expected actually. She still doesn’t realize how big she is and how small Zoey is, but hey.. time.

This go around, I asked for a lot of help when I needed it. Bobby and I learned how to communicate VERY well this time too, and it really made a huge difference in our attitudes.. especially when there’s not a lot of sleep happening. I have also allowed myself to be gentle with what I accomplish in a day, which I did not do last time. One small task a day was sometimes all I did on top of keeping everyone alive.. so yeah I nailed it.

The house is a wreck, I smell like spoiled milk and the girls and I barely make it out of pajamas most days but as I just said, we are ALIVE and we are surviving every day together the best we can!!

I have a lot more I want to share.. things about grief and postpartum anxiety, but for now I will leave you with this! THANK YOU for your patience, understanding & love. I promise I won’t be gone so long next time!! 🤍

Chels

xoxo