And I guess that's why they call it the blues...

Exactly one week ago (I started this post yesterday at 2 pm and am finishing it now), I was being sent home from the hospital with contractions that were 1-3 minutes apart. The next 3 hours would be the most painful of my life. And the most rewarding. When I went back to the hospital at 5 pm (against medical advice - they told me that I wasn't in labor and was just dehyrated) I was 4 cm dilated. THANK GOD.
We just happened to be staying in the town that our hospital was in on Saturday night to watch the Pats game. I ate SO MUCH CRAP! (surprise, surprise) When I woke up in pain on Sunday morning I really thought I was sick from all the food I ate the night before. We headed to the hospital around noon and they kept us until 2 pm. They told me to push tons of fluids and that if (when) my contractions stopped I was free to head back home. Until then I should head back to my friend's house in town (the roads were horrible this day). My contractions were HORRIBLE and coming around a minute apart. I had nausea with every contraction. It was so bad at 5 pm that I told Shawn that we weren't messing around with calling the hospital for the "okay" - we were heading right there.

Shortly after we were admitted at 4 cm, the nurse came in to offer pain meds. I got a shot of nubain in the arm and labored in the jacuzzi tub for a bit. Both things helped tremendously with the pain. Once the pain got too strong, I asked for my epidural. It took them about an hour and 1/2 to get it administered and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I repeat for any moms-to-be out there (Sweety, etc) - GET AN EPIDURAL!!! Post-epidural I was happy as a clam. I didn't feel a thing. It was heavenly. At 5 cm dilated she came in and broke my water. She waited an hour or two and came in to see the progress which was only about 1 cm. At this point she decided to administer Pitocin to speed things up. When she came back in an hour to get it going, I rolled over a bit and Shawn noticed that my sheets were covered in blood. She said "this may be a good thing" and from here on things were a blur. She checked me and said that there was no need for Pitocin - I was 10 cm and ready to go. She called the doctor and within an hour I was pushing. In our quiet little room with the lights dimmed, Shawn, myself, the nurse, the doctor and the Pediatrician (she needed to be called b/c of meconium in my water) managed to coax this sweet little girl out in 5 contractions at 2:38 am on Monday. It was such an unbelievable experience. For both Shawn and I, it was love at first sight.

Rylee Carmella is the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on. She is everything I've ever wanted and more - so why is it I can't stop crying?? The day I brought her home we lost the power due to hurricane-like winds for over 24 hours. No heat - no water - no electricity. I spent the first night home with her all by myself on my sister's couch. The girl poops about 15 times a day and it's true what they say about Huggies - they suck. She went through 4 outfits that first night and I was left crying on the couch with a crying naked baby at 4 am. Daylight didn't bring any relief... Shawn was back at work and there was still no power. It was quite a relief to finally come back home (even though my house is a disaster) and have daddy come home that next night!

Dear Rylee,
I simply love you more than I love life itself.

I have so many wonderful friends and family in my life. It means so much more to know that these people will be in Rylee's life. My friends have visited, called to check in and showered us with gifts. I can't even begin to say how much my sister, Darcy, has spoiled our sweet girl in her first few days of life. I think she has easily broken the $500 mark and more importantly, spoiled her with lovin'. Rylee is going to be auntie's little girl.

Thank you all for your sweet comments and encouragement! I am so excited to finally post ... and hopefully sometime soon I'll find the time to check my email as well. You are the best and I don't think I would've survived this miracle without you. Until next time... I'm off lovin' my baby girl. :) More pictures to come...