The Cahalan Clan: Major Update Time

My last post was June 2013! Yikes. I will try to update 7 months now.

July 2013:

Isaac turned 2! It was a whirl wind party at the lake over the 4th of July weekend. We wanted to celebrate early "just in case" the baby decided not to wait.

On July 18, 2013, at 8:15pm, Delaney Nicole made her debut! We had a GIRL! She is more beautiful than any words can describe. She has brought such joy and happiness into all our lives.

Delaney's birth story is about as crazy as her conception. Completely unexpected. If you recall, my OB was out of town. I had an appointment with his partner for my 38wk check (which was really 38 wks 4 days) on the 17th. Because of my age, I had a non-stress test done at that time. Delaney would NOT settle down. Her heart rate was elevated over 200 for more than 30 mins and I was having moderate contractions every 3-5 minutes (which I just thought were Braxton hicks!). The doctor put me on oxygen, made me lay on my side, with it quiet and dark to see if Delaney would calm down. Before she made me put away my phone, I called Mark and my sister (who was with the boys) to inform them what was going on. If Delaney didn't calm down, I was going to have my C-section in a matter of an hour or so. Mark arrived at the office but luckily Delaney had calmed down and her heart rate was now 170s. The OB checked me and while I was not dilated, my cervix was soft and thin, and she could feel the baby's head. She told me to start paying attention to how frequently I was having contractions.

Because this sweet girl was not supposed to be born for another 6 days, I really had nothing ready to go - no bags packed, etc. I decided I better get my stuff together - like a change of clothes and the camera! I woke up around 2am on the 18th with lots of contractions that I could not sleep through. Mark had his hand on my stomach and could feel them too. He was timing them - I had forgotten that part. They were about every 3 mins. We started talking about what we were going to do with the kids if I needed to go in before "morning". At 4am, I decided I was going to the couch so Mark could get some sleep. By 5am, the contractions just stopped.....so I went back to bed for a little bit before Isaac decided 6:30am was a great time to greet the day.

The big boys played outside all day. Isaac and I tried but I just couldn't keep up. While Isaac and I were eating lunch, the contractions decided to come back. I stopped eating (since I knew I would have a C-section) and made sure everything was ready to go. I called the doctor's office around 3pm and they told me to just go to the hospital. Mark couldn't really get home until 4:30pm so I packed up my stuff, put the car seat in the van, made sure the diaper bag was ready for Isaac, told the boys what was going on, put my sister on stand-by, and waited for Mark. He got home and we decided I would go by myself to make sure I was really in labor then I would call.

I arrived at the hospital at 6pm. I was checked - still not dilated but very soft. I was placed on the monitor and within 15mins the nurses came in and said that my doctor wouldn't be there for another 30mins but I was having off the chart contractions every 2 minutes! I called Mark, my sister, my mom, and a few friends. I had my IV started and was nearly ready to go into the OR when Mark and the boys arrived. One of his sisters arrived to sit with the kids too. My doctor got there and checked me - I was now dilated to 2cm in 45 mins! She said it was time to go. I panicked! Here this was supposed to be calm and scheduled!!!! I must have had a freaked out look on my face because she asked if I needed some time. I said YES I DO.

I walked into the OR at 7:50pm. Delaney Nicole took her first breath at 8:15pm. It was a glorious cry. She was 7 lbs 12 oz and 19.5" long. She looked so much like Luke. Mark and Delaney left the cold OR so I could have my tubal and get put back together. When I was rolled out, I was greeted by my sister and her family, several of Mark's sisters and his mom, and was able to briefly see Delaney in the nursery. She was brought to me very quickly once I was in my room. Mark picked out a cute purple bow for her hair. Some of Mark's other family members stopped by that night and Grammy made it around 10:30pm.

We got to go home on Sunday....it has been great every since.

August 2013:

Back to school! I couldn't wait this year. The big boys really needed more of a routine and not so much time together!

Luke is now in 1st Grade! He is already "fighting" his curly hair. I told him that I wish I had hair that I could wear "messy" and get away with it. Yet he insists on combing it straight down. He also refuses to smile with teeth now because he is missing the front two.

Dominic is now is 3rd Grade. Where did my baby go?