Introducing...Nora!

So much has happened, hopefully slowly over the days of summer I can do some blog updating!

Let's begin with the most exciting and important news. A BABY!
Nora Joyce Pettit
April 27, 2014
7 lbs 10 oz
20 inches long

That's right we had our baby, April 27th, 2014. Here's the birth story:

After going over my due date, I was beginning to think our little baby girl was never going to decide to come out. The day of April 26th, I wasn't really feeling much different and saw no sign that labor was in the near future, however, that night I was pretty tired. Kyle went down stairs around 10pm to watch a movie and I decided to go to bed instead. Kyle came to bed around 1am. I got up and decided to go sit on the couch as I was experiencing some contractions and couldn't get comfortable. Nothing unusual or consistent. At 2:35am I even messaged a friend saying I didn't know when the baby would come and wasn't necessarily expecting it to be soon.  After a potty break I went back out to the couch and decided to time my contractions. They were totally inconsistent. Around 3:30 I decided they were getting painful and not stopping and despite there inconsistency we had an hour and half drive in front of us and we should probably get moving.
The kids were champs when we woke them up to take them into Kyle's dads. The ride in is always long. Kyle knew things were pretty serious and we were beginning to fear that we wouldn't make it in time. The kids were funny on the way into town and talked the entire way. In between gripping the dashboard in pain from contractions I would laugh along with them.
By the time we pulled into Kyle's dads house I was pretty sure the baby was going to come at any minute. When we pulled in, Kyle quickly unloaded the kids. Mike (his dad) opened my door to give me a hug and wish me luck, but once he opened it and saw me, he quickly closed the door. I happened to be in the middle of a contraction at the point.
Kyle jumped back in and got us to the hospital quickly. I'm pretty sure my law-abiding husband even ran a few red lights. We got to the hospital and it seemed like the walk in took forever, I felt like with every step I took I had another contraction. We got in, they saw ugency and quickly checked me in a quickly wheeled me up to a room.
Upon arriving in my room at 5:50am, they checked me and I was ONLY dilated to a six or seven. I was so disappointed. I told them that I felt like I was going to need to push very soon. I waited about 4 more contractions and told them to get ready I was going to push. My midwife, very much let's me be in control. She was sitting at the end of the bed and when I told her I was ready she knew it was time. She checked and said "oh yeah, babies crowning" she then yelled in the hallway "I NEED A BABY CATCHER." A nurse for me and a nurse for Nora entered the room and at 6:14am, our beautiful girl was here.
I love that they immediately let me hold her, nurse her, love on her. I got to hold her for over an hour before they took her to weigh and check her out. Those first moments with your baby are so special and I am so thankful to deliver in a hospital with midwives that allow me those first speical moments with my baby.
I had some severe hemorrhaging after the delivery, that isn't comfortable for fun to be dealt with. Honestly, I feel that it's more painful than the actual birth. This is probably because I don't get a beautiful baby afterwards.
Other than that, my recovery has been pretty easy and nice. Nothing like my first couple babies, and even easier than with Mav.
Nora is probably our fussiest baby (Gunnar was pretty close). At two months she isn't as colicky, but still the evening hours aren't the most enjoyable. But despite her fussiness her dad and I, and her three brothers love her to death!

A feeling of relief after delivery!

 There is no greater feeling that holding a baby and knowing you did that!

 7lbs. 10 oz. Our biggest baby!

The love for a child...

First snuggles with daddy.

 Nora is loved, she got to see all three of her grandmas.

 Nora has a special birthday. She shares it with her daddy and Grandma!

 Papa holding his second granddaugher.

 Gunnar and Ryker are great big brothers.

 Maverick wasn't so sure at first, but now he doesn't want to leave her alone.

 After getting home we had two birthday celebrations. A 30th birthday for Kyle and a 5th birthday for Gunnar.

 Her brothers love her so much!

 Nora is named after my Grandma, Joyce. I love this lady so much. She has dementia, but seeing Nora made her so happy, despite the look she is giving me for this picture!