Third times a charm...

Where do I start? When I thought about my impending labor I had images that fell somewhere between the crappy movie "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and that film from the 1970's they show you in the hospital (you know the one, back when au natural was in vogue.) So when my water broke last Tuesday night I told Matt to grab his popcorn and coke and come along for the ride. We hummed over whether my water actually broke or if I peed my pants (not a far fetched thought given the amount of time I spent on the porcelain throne those last few weeks). The doctor told us to come in so we packed up my luggage (yes, luggage, not bag) and headed out in the first fall storm. Matt was worried about hydroplaning and I was worried about damaging the baby's ears with the F bombs I was dropping. Matt grabbed a coke before we left--he didn't use a red solo cup, he didn't grab a can from the garage--he filled a glass from the kitchen with coke and fifteen ice cubes. Every time an ice cube rolled around I thought I was going to grab that glass and break the wind shield. Ice cubes and glass had never been so annoying. When we arrived at the hospital I refused the wheel chair through more F bombs. To make a long story long, I was a peach after the first hour and a half because Dr. khaki pants arrived with the epidural. This guy looked like he just left a BBQ with his white tennis shoes and socks. After the relief from the epidural I felt like I had early signs of dementia because all I could say over and over again was, "I don't know how people do this without drugs" followed by, "I love Dr. khaki and nurse Laura." The rest, my friends, is an easy history. I wouldn't admit this on facebook but I figure only a select few will take the time to read this--I slept a little that night and this babe was born with six pushes and in less than thirty minutes. I couldn't believe there wasn't more drama (this is me you're talking about, right?). How did I feel when they put Charlotte Gabrielle's warm body on mine? Bliss. Complete. Flooded and overwhelmed with love. Here are some of our highlights since coming home:

first car trip--just like Seth I used to be portly from Knocked Up--slow and steady
first trip to Church (twinks slept the entire time)
visits with nana, papa, grandma, grandpa and aunties
first meeting with gracie (who is simultaneously sad about her bump from the baby throne and protective over her sissie)
long nights awake with C because she thinks day is night and night is day
first dr. visit with D. Goodlow--who man handled her and told us she is perfect
first Bears game with Daddy (Charlotte, Gracie and I all slept through it--we only stay awake if there is booze/milk/food.

It was all worth it because look what we get to hold and love and watch grow every day...