Mladineo Adventures: She's Here!

Our sweet baby arrived...a little girl...and we are so in love!

My good mom drove out from Philly to help us. She arrived on Sunday evening - 9 days before my due date. The next morning, we were up and at-um --- no time to waste and onto a day of shopping at the outlets in Aurora. Had to check off back-to-school clothing for Elijah and Julia. I was definitely feeling pregnant as we walked around that day, but no more uncomfortable than usual.

In addition to juggling responsibilities for his new job, Mike was 10 days into the longest and perhaps most stressful module of his Guanghua-Kellogg EMBA. 4 grad school classes in 2 weeks, plus study groups and numerous social activities. He was running on 3-4 hours sleep a night, tops. I kept praying "please stay in there baby - at least until the 12th when Daddy is done." My due date was the 15th, and that would've been ideal; Mike would have been done with his big module and then had a few days to catch up. This baby, however, had different plans.

On Monday night, instead of Mike taking an Uber home at midnight when he was done for the day, I drove to Evanston to pick him up. My mom was here and I was happy to get out of the house! At this point, I knew how long it would be before Mike and I had any time just the two of us again. We ended up hanging out at Kellogg's Allen Center until after 1:30 a.m. - talking to his classmates. It was a really fun time! It was only once we stood up, and started walking back to the car, that I felt my "fake" (Braxton Hicks) contractions take a turn. Hmmm. I didn't give it much thought though, even as I felt a few strong pangs on the drive home. I had probably pushed myself too hard. All that walking around at the outlets - and then staying out late. I was probably just fatigued. Everything would slow down once I got into bed.

It did not slow down once I got into bed.

So, I got up and thought it best to finish packing the hospital bag. I showered and tried to pay attention to how consistently my contractions were coming on. By 3:30, I was feeling stir-crazy. I went downstairs and started to fold a pile of laundry that was in the living room. My mom came out of the office/guest room, "Jessica, what are you doing???" I laugh now to remember my response, "Well, I can't sleep, and I have this big pile of laundry...and I think I might be in labor." My mom (who used to be a labor and delivery nurse) felt my belly for a few contractions - which were coming on less than 5 minutes apart now. She told me several times that I needed to wake up Mike, but I felt so, so sad to do this. Poor guy was exhausted and had only slept 2 hours at this point. But, around 4:00, there was no getting around it. I roused him and we were out the door in a few minutes. When my midwife, Katie, checked me once we got settled at the hospital (around 5:00 a.m.) I was already dilated to a 6-7. This was really happening! My blood pressure was a little high, so Katie kept me in bed for monitoring. It wasn't a walk in the park, but it was a very peaceful labor. We were all joking around. After a bit, Katie said, "Well, shall we just break your water so you can have a baby?" She took care of that around 6:00. A few minutes later, at 6:16 as the sun was rising, after what seemed to be one long push, our baby girl arrived! There is nothing in the world like meeting your baby for the first time. And our biggest so far! 7 lbs, 14.5 oz. She very well could have been a 9-pounder had she come on her due date. So grateful for another beautiful birth!

All checked in and ready to go!

Beautiful flowers and balloons from dear friends, Jeff and Raenell

Just hours old. Oh, you beautiful baby!

Baby Nadia's first visitor, Khania.

Just a little smile

Midwife Katie checking in the next day. I am so grateful for her help! Katie (and midwife Linda) also helped deliver Amelie. I have been so happy using midwives for my pre-natal care and delivery. They are extremely knowledgeable and supportive.