The last few weeks have been daunting. Over the course of 4 1/2 weeks our ward had 4 funerals and being the RS President- I organized (with the help pf many) luncheons/dinners for all of the close families and friends of those whom had passed. I was happy to do it, but it took a toll on me physically- seeing that I was 8+ months pregnant and had to be on my feet a lot. All of that in addition to my normal routine of keeping up with my little ones, other parts of RS duties, and my constant nesting urges made for an exhausting month.
Last week we had a fabulous Visiting teaching conference on Thursday evening, I helped with Ava's preschool on Tuesday and Thursday, got 2 weeks of groceries on Wednesday (with both girls), and taught Sydnee's preschool Friday morning. So once preschool was over, I crashed. I was bone tired, so I let the girls play and I rested...the whole day! When Todd got home we had dinner- which he probably made, I can't remember. Once the girls were down, Todd and I got to work. I had decided I wanted some furniture moved around a bit to make room in the nursery and put a bed in the playroom. Todd did all of the major moving and I did the little stuff. We went to bed LATE- like between 11:30-midnight, BUT the house looked great. Snacks were packed, an agenda for the girls was written out for the girls, our bedroom was clean and organized, and my bag was packed ready for my induction date on Thursday morning- 6 days before my due date. Well all night while we were getting stuff in order, I just felt funny. I won't go into details, but I just felt a little off. So once I had fallen asleep- way after my bedtime- I felt really weird. I get up out of bed and *GUSH* my water has broken. Whoa. Now my water broke naturally with Ava as well- so I at least knew what to expect. So I woke up Todd and began to gather my things. I love my husband and I get a kick out of his "oh my goodness this is serious" panic mode. I asked him to start by calling friends to have them watch the girls. He helped get stuff together and we got ready for departure. Uncle Jim came and we were off. I asked if he had grabbed the camera when I had asked him to- nope- turn around. Back on the road. We've called our parents. At the hospital- walking in with a towel between my legs- niiiiiiice. They check me in while Todd calls our siblings. Once we are in, we get settled and we wait. I hadn't felt contractions before my water broke, but then they came. Once we were several hours into it, I asked for the epidural. I got it- I hate getting those in- and they turned up the pitocin. After a bit, I knew it hadn't worked like it is supposed to- I could still feel everything on one side of me. The same thing had happened with Ava and the epidural had worked completely with Sydnee so I knew the difference. I kept praying it would work. :) Nope. Blessedly, 7 hours after my water broke, 1 hour after I had received the epidural, she came. Lucy Christine: 7 lbs 10 oz, 19 1/2 inches long, pretty and pink and healthy. What a blessing.
Since then we've made it home and experienced our first several days of our new life. And I know there will be difficult, sleepless nights ahead of me- but I couldn't be happier. Lucy is a sweet and darling princess and I can't help to smile when I look at her.
On Sunday, while still in the hospital, I was also released from my responsibilities as Relief Society President. I had known this was coming, and was hoping to be able to say my good-byes as the leader, but Lucy had other plans...and actually, I don't mind a bit. I had worked 2+ years in that calling. There were times when I wanted to give up, when I was sick of the taste of humble pie, and when I just flat was tired of dealing with emotional women! However, in the last few months as I worked on 3 of their funeral arrangements, welcomed several babies, cared for many sick, and assisted some financially afflicted- I began counting my blessings. Not the type of counting that I was "glad I wasn't in their shoes" but the kind where I was grateful to be a part of something greater than myself. When I was asked to serve in this position, I thought the bishopric was CRAZY, but I knew what my mother had instilled in me- that I could do anything I believed in, so I believed and in the end- I was changed for the better. So although I won't miss a lot of the aspects of this calling, I will miss being the leader of so many wonderful women who worked hard to bring about the Lord's work. And I guess, in a way, Lucy represents the results of my service. I know that sounds funny, but now that Lucy is here- I get to see the fruits of my labors. The kindness that I have extended over the years has reached back and I can see the bonds of friendship strengthening me for the next part in my journey- and for all of this I am grateful.
So it has been a week. A life-changing week, and I couldn't be happier. What a blessing.
Lucy's first smile captured at 3 minutes old!
Taking a bubble bath for the first time.
