Ms. Mila Paz is Here!

Okay, so she technically arrived a week ago, but things are just now settling down enough for me to post something! Ms. Mila Paz arrived at 1:06am on 1/6/15. The labor and delivery went perfectly, and I am so thankful that she arrived a healthy 7lbs 2oz and 18in at 38 weeks, 6 days. I actually went back to work the first day after winter break, fully expecting (and dreading) another full week of work. I worked all day and felt fine, and thankfully it was an easy day since we were transitioning into a new schedule. I had a doctor's appointment after work at 4:15. Dr. Weiler decided to strip my membranes to see if that would get things going since I was already at 3cm. I left the doctor's office, picked up Luca, and headed home to get dinner ready. Of course the night before I had prepped a ton of food for lunches and dinners for the week thinking I would be too tired to cook anything. I sat on the couch with Luca for a few minutes and we watched some monster truck videos, then I decided I had better get up and get dinner together before Santi got home from the gym. As I was chopping tomatoes, I started to feel some back pain, and not even 10 minutes later the back pain turned into the all familiar contraction...funny how quickly that feeling comes back to you, even after three and a half years. I didn't think much of it at first because I had mild contractions with Luca for a good 12 hours before I was actually admitted to the hospital. Well...this was a different story. Those mild contractions quickly got stronger and closer together, and I decided to start timing them on my contraction app. Sure enough they were the real deal. I sent Santi a message and told him he better cut his workout short. He rushed home, and we decided to call his parents (this is when living down the street from the in-laws is really beneficial) to come get Luca. I felt bad because things happened so quickly I didn't feel like I had enough time to prepare Luca (even though we had spent months reading books, talking about being a big brother, etc.). I gave him a quick kiss and hug and tried not to get super emotional about leaving him. That didn't work. We headed to the hospital in a winter weather advisory. I had to laugh at us following the snow plows...Luca was born in the middle of a major dust storm. And there was a 100 degree temperature difference. I wonder if their personalities will be as different as their births. We arrived at the hospital and got checked in (which seemed like it took forever). That was around 9:30pm. By 12:00am I was 8-9cm and begging for an epidural and of course the anesthesiologist was in a surgery. He made it just in time...I almost had a natural delivery...unplanned. I actually debated it for a brief moment, but things were happening so fast and there was no break in those contractions. By 1:00am I was ready to push, and out she popped in just 3 pushes. EASY. My labor from start to finish was only about 6 hours. Luca's was over 24 hours. I'll take it! The doctor called her Speedy Gonzales, and the post partum nurse said "oh, you could have 4 more kids, you are good at this!"...I am flattered, but we are pretty certain our family is complete (at least biologically). Since we arrived home with Ms. Mila P a week ago, things have been exhausting...but there is so much joy in the midst of the sleep deprivation. Having two kids is amazing. And since motherhood is not new to me, and I am much more relaxed about having a newborn, I am really enjoying these early days. It hasn't been all easy though. Luca has had his moments of jealousy, and being stuck inside due to freezing cold weather doesn't help. He has been so wound up and with Santi and I going on no sleep it's a real challenge keeping up with him. I am getting really anxious for spring when we can bust out of the house! In addition to the challenges of having a newborn AND a three year old, I also am dealing with post partum hypertension. Never in my life did I imagine that would happen. Luckily I feel okay, but I have to admit it's stirring up some anxiety in me...on top of new mommy hormonal changes. I am being monitored once a week until it goes back down, which hopefully will be soon, but it could take up to 6 weeks. There is a new level of anxiety about my own health and well being now that I have two children that need me. I know I need to focus my heart and mind on Him and His grace, and trust that He will see me through. One day at a time as we navigate this new stage in life. We are beyond blessed. God is good, and His mercies are new every morning.