Happy Birthday Eisley

Our birth story…where do I start? Well to begin with, I had this whole birth thing planned out in my head. I had done way too much research, watched documentaries, went to a very “Portland” birthing class, and knew exactly what I wanted and what I didn’t want. But when my due date came and went, we quickly saw that she was not going to come out on her own within a healthy time frame. So a few days shy of my 42^nd week of pregnancy I was eating a burger at killer burger, fueling up right before going to the hospital. 

Haters be learners!

I would be lying if I said I wasn't sad about not getting my envisioned birth, you know, the movie type.  Our bags had been packed for weeks in hopes that I could tell Brian it was GO TIME! But I found myself walking into the Hospital with a planned induction, it all felt so clean, clinical, and scheduled. Even all that couldn't stop me from being so excited and ready to get the hard work over with and bring little Eisley into this world!

Let me spare you the down and dirty details and give you the fly by list:

• Saturday 9/29--8pm Start induction plan 1
• Sunday 9/30--9am Induction plan 1 provided no progress
• Sunday 9/30--9:30 Try induction plan 2, failed
• Sunday 9/30--10am Start induction plan 3
• Sunday 9/30--2pm Induction plan 3 provided very little progress
• Sunday 9/30--2:30pm Start Induction plan 4
• Sunday 9/30--5pm My water breaks!
• Sunday 9/30--6pm-4am Had contractions all night
• Monday 10/1--5am Start induction plan 5
• Monday 10/1--9am Start to really feel contractions
• Monday 10/1--2pm Found out I was halfway there, felt defeated and tired
• Monday 10/1--2:30pm Got a dose of Fentanyl to help manage the pain a little
• Monday 10/1-- 4pm Fentanyl wore off 
• Monday 10/1--7pm I was ready to push!
• Monday 10/1--9pm Still freaking pushing
• Monday 10/1--11pm Eisley was born 

So many things did not happen the way I planned. But in the end I was rewarded with a precious miracle. So much of those 3 days are a blur but there are a few things that stand out in my mind:

• the touch of Brian’s hand on my back
• the soft encouraging words of my midwife (who was there the whole day of her birth)
• the reassuring nurses who went out of their way to comfort me
• catching up on Americas next top model
• the worried smile of my mom
• my dad and I trying to play poker when my water broke
• the horrible hospital food that was so bad it was funny
• the texts and calls from friends and family anxiously awaiting news
• Brian sitting by me and doing all he could do to comfort and love me
• getting the motivation to push harder than before by feeling my daughter’s full head of hair
• wanting to hear her cry more than anything
• Brian picking the perfect music to fit with the different stages of the day
• feeling tears of joy run down my cheek and seeing tears in Brian’s eyes when we saw her for the first time
• seeing my mom burst into tears when we announced that her middle name was after her
• Knowing in a specific moment that my life was forever changed by this amazing little girl.
• Seeing Brian become a dad when he held her for the first time

Welcome little one

Daddy Loves.

Yes it was long. Yes it wasn’t my “birth plan”. Yes it was worth it. God created this perfect child inside me and trusted Brian and I to love and care for her. He built my body to carry and deliver her safely and gave me the strength and stamina to do the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Little Eisley…we had a big party that day, Heck, we partied for 3 days waiting for you to choose your birthday! So happy to start October out with a celebration of you and all your snuggly wonderfulness. 

Going Home

And the winner is....

I wish some of your guesses would have been true for me, I would have liked to have her earlier than we did, however, having an october baby is pretty awesome, we get to celebertate her birth and fall time, what more could you ask for...well maybe a nice pumpkin spice latte!

So in honor of my fall baby the winners will get some awesome fall treats!

Congrats to Cassie for only being an hour and 15 minutes off her birth date and time. And Congrats to Karin for guessing her actual birthday and getting pretty close to her weight and length. No one, including me, thought I would have a 9lb + baby!

Also because blog posts are no fun without some pictures...here is my sweet little nugget!

She is here!

Eisley Caprice Johnson was born October 1st at 11pm. She was 9lbs 3oz and 22in long. Our hearts are full with love for her and she was well worth the wait!

More of her birth story will come soon.

And now the goods....

And we waited...

I guess my womb is pretty comfy for little Eisley, because she does not want to come out!

My parents came the day before my duedate and left 6 days later...Eisley didn't come. Then Brian's parents, sister, and our neice came 4 days after my due date and left 4 days later....Eisley didn't come.

We had a great visit with both families, spend the time cooking, decorating for fall, laughing, picking fruit in hood river, fighting (you know those hormones), watching the swifts, going to the zoo, eating at lots of Portland restaurants, yelling at Eisley, walking, and trying lots of old wives tales to coax her out. In the end family came and went and Eisley didn't get to meet any of them!

Watching the swifts

Penelope wasn't too sure about the swifts

The kitties got a taste of their future.

some monkeys at the zoo.

Picked the best peach i've ever had from that tree.

Picking corn and staying happy.

In-law's making the tough decision of what ice cream to get at Salt and Straw

The zoo and it's results

She is so loved part 2...

My second shower was in Portland. Our wonderful friends Sarah and Joel threw us a co-ed shower full of home brewed beer, sangria, corn-hole, and lots of yummy food. I was blown away with the thoughtful and handmade gifts, I really do have some creative friends! Again, it is best to show you how great it was with a bunch of pictures!

Joel dominates at the corn-hole

The ladies and Cooper

Hipster boyband?

The lovely host Sarah, who is expecting a little one of her own soon!

We are so thankful for all of our great friends!

She is so loved part 1...

I had two amazing and wonderful baby showers to celebrate Eisley!

My first shower was in Reno in my parents backyard. My lovely friends Cassie and Andrea threw it for me, my mother-in-law and sister-in-laws made delicious food, my mom crafted, and my dad made cute little cupcakes. It was an exciting and magical shower. I was blown away at all the beautiful details and how much it reflected me and my plans for Eisley's little nest. The best way to show off how wonderful it was is to show you tons of pictures!

Paint a onesie station

Wonderful woodland creatures

Lovely mason jar drinks

So magical

EAT!

Everyone filled out their wishes for Eisley.

Loved reading all the wishes for Eisley

FOOD FOR DAYS!

Mushroom cupcakes

Love handmade gifts!

Andrea, Cassie, and me...some photo booth fun!

What...I'm having a baby! Her Aunt is excited!

Thank you succulents!

 

The last image is a picture of the corsage I wore. This is a really special corsage made out of baby socks that my mom wore at her baby shower for me.

It was such a special day and I am honored to have such wonderful friends and family around to support and celebrate Eisley!

When will she come?

I am now offically 2 days past my due date.  My family is here and more are coming this weekend in hopes that Eisley will decide to make her grand apprentice into this world.

To help pass the time my family started a baby pool. They put in some money and all placed their bets on the day and time she would come and what her length and weight would be. It is fun to hear all their guesses and imagine having her at those times.

So I thought it would be fun to have a little guessing contest on the blog! Place your bets below for the time and date, and weight and length. I will mail at two little prizes to whoever guesses closest.

Here is a hint...I met with my midwife yesterday and she said that there are no real signs that labor is happening anytime soon for me, however, sometimes there are no signs!

So leave a comment with your guess and if you win you will get a fun little prize, I promise it will be cooler than a dirty diaper.