Hi Everyone... sorry it took SO long to enter a new post. We've been pretty busy lately (of course), not to mention a BIG thank you to everyone that has come by to see Lil' Lily. She has SO many people that love her, it is so amazing to know that our family has so many wonderful friends and family in it. I just can't imagine a greater love for all the people in our lives. You all are SO great, and we just love each of you SO VERY much!
So we will let you know (in a condensed version) of how our labor went. It was a LONG labor and was quite intense for everyone. Well, Mama had to be induced of course. She found out when she got to the hospital she had what was called an "unfavorable cervix" (let's just say Mama called it many other things too). It basically means that my cervix would not dilate. I went to the Dr. on Monday, 6/30 and got a gel on my cervix called cytotec, that is supposed to help soften and dilate the cervix. Then at 4am on 7/2 I went into the hospital to get induced. When they checked my cervix... I was STILL at 1cm even though I had been having contractions for over a week. So at 5am they started Mama on Pitocin to get the contractions going. Basically when you get on pitocin... it jumps your contractions to Active Labor (which means you jump to 10cm dilated contractions).
So basically Mama had IV's and just waited. Well, at around 3pm I was STILL at 1cm dilated, Dr. Haines decided it's be best to break my water... he freaking broke it at 1cm... Mama was impressed. Then Mama could REALLY feel the contractions going! At about 5pm the nurse checked again and I was 3cm dilated. She suggested I get my epidural ASAP because the anethisologist was going in for back to back C-sections and if I didn't get it soon, I'd be waiting a LONG time to get it. Papa was really happy for that, he was upset I was in so much pain, and I think Mama was squeezing his hand off! ;p
So got the epidural and we waited again. At about 8pm, I was still only 3cm and Lily decided she would be face up! OH NO!! The nurse Rebecca was AWESOME though. She kept encouraging Mama to stay strong and put me in tons of positions to get Lily face down. At about 11pm I was 5cm, and Lily was sideways... she was slowly rolling back over. So again we waited. We made it until morning. At about 4am, Dr. Haines checked on me (mind you he is AMAZING... he did 10 C-sections alone in the 24 hours I was there, not to mention a bunch of deliveries) and I was still about a 6-7cm dilated and Lily was still sideways. He suggested I think about a C-section, but wanted to just give me more time. Nurse Rebecca told me my labor will be a lot more intense than most other labors, and I'd have to push VERY hard, but she knew I could do if I chose a vaginal delivery. Mama felt emotionally and mentally drained at this point, but just kept praying to the Lord for strength. At about 8am... the Dr. checked again... Mama was at 9cm and Lily was face down. I tell you what, the Lord answered Mama's prayers and I truly felt as though an angel was by my side. So finally at 11:45am... Dr. Haines asked if I'd like to push. I was a tad scared at first because Nurse Kara gave me Nubane (a drug like morphine, because my left hip hurt so bad) and I don't handle pills and narcotics well at ALL!! Stacey (my sister) said she knew it was time and I would be able to push no worries. So here Mama went...
I am telling you I pushed like no other. I was not going to push then have a C-section... I was more determined than ever to get my baby out. My brother Toby's girlfriend Sarah is an amazing color therapy artist. I had asked her for a picture of one of her paintings to focus on (check out her website at: http://www.colorcontemplation.com). It was the best thing I could have ever done. It focused me and kept me so calm. I am forever grateful to her and her talent for being a person to help me get through labor. My brother also made me an AWESOME mixed CD too. All the nurses and my Dr. thought it was just the best mix EVER for labor. (Heehee... maybe Sarah and Toby should start a Pregnancy and Labor business... I tell you what it helped me immensely).
I didn't scream once during labor, and pushing was actually the easy part considering what I had been through for the last 36 hours. And at 2:28pm on July 3rd, Lil' Lily Isabella Matthai made it into the world. She was 8lbs, 9oz. Papa was a great coach, so was my drill sergant sister. She kept me going, and completely helped me through it all! Grandpa Dave and Gramma Veronica were there too. I truly don't think I could have done it with out there support. I meant to world to me that Dave was there, he's the only Dad I have now, and I really did need him there more than he could ever know.
What is so special to Papa and I is that Lily was born on Daddy's birthday! Yes that's right, Jerad and Lily share a very special day, what a bond they will have! So we are super ecstatic to have Lily here. Our family is getting bigger and Mama and Papa are so proud. Lily is a wonderful baby and doesn't cry unless she's hungry or has a dirty "diddy". She is a happy and extremely healthy baby. She is SUPER strong and could hold her head up pretty much right out of the womb. She amazes Papa and Mama so much. We are SO looking forward to all the fun times ahead with all our friends, family and other little ones.
Life is GOOD!
Love always... Lisa, Jerad & Lily Matthai
Our Growing "SPROUT"... Lil' Lily!
Lily and Great, Great, Great, Great Uncle Clark. He really is the GREATEST too! Mama loves him SO much!!
Lily and Great Grampa Whitey. He's got the best lap for snoozing. Mama remembers sleeping on him when she was little too!
