Welcome to the World Baby Brother

Baby brother is now three weeks old and I know everyone out there in blog land is just dying to know if any of my labor inducing techniques actually put me into labor. Well, at one week overdue, I had another appointment with my midwife. She was nice enough to offer me a good "stripping". Since this little procedure put me into labor within 24 hours with my first two I quickly accepted her offer and left the office hoping for great things.

I followed up the slightly unpleasant "strip" with a fab salon makeover courtesy of my very talented friend. Not only did I receive a great new do, but also a conditioning treatment and a fresh face full of makeup. I kind of wanted to head to the hospital right then because I would have looked smashing in the photos. But alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Then, at three in the morning strong contractions woke me up. We decided to get the kids settled in at the neighbors and head to the hospital. I was a little disappointed when the midwife on call was not one I had met. She then proceeded to make me cry within 3 minutes of meeting her (so much for my theory that all midwives are awesome). But I quickly forgave her when, 7 hours later, she coached me (a 5'3" woman) through the delivery of a 8 lb 15 oz kid without a rip, tear, or cut.

This latest delivery also helped me realize that I am definitely an epidural girl. Yes, I ended up having what I like to call "a little piece of heaven in a needle up the spine" with my first two, but I held out hope that I could manage a non-medicated birth with number three. As I sat in the rocking chair listening to the Relaxation Rainbow on my Ipod trying so hard to stay in my Zen place, my mind kept wandering (which is not a good sign in hypnobirthing) to the chaotic and agonizing moments in my past two births before I finally made my frantic request for the wonder drug.

This time around, I decided to calmly tell my nurse I was ready for an epidural before I found myself in the same "bad place" all the while trying not to feel too disappointed in myself for giving in so easily. But, I then proceeded to have my most calm and enjoyable birth experience to date (which included a hilarious "text" exchange with my BFF) and knew I made the right decision.

And what can I say about baby brother except you were all right--boys aren't that scary after all. He's been good to his momma - sleeping good, eating like a champ and hasn't peed one me once.