The Bahn Family: Welcome To The World Harper Ann!

On October 6, 2011 at 9:39 p.m. we welcomed our sweet little Harper Ann Bahn to the world! Following her sister's lead, she also decided to enter the world just a little early at 37 weeks.

After Miss Avery decided to come into our world at nearly 7 weeks early, my wonderful doctor decided it might be a good idea to start me on progesterone shots weekly, from week 16-36. I kind of thought Avery coming early was both a fluke, and a blessing from God, based on her thryoid issues. I didn't really think the shots were doing much, and was really anxious to stop them come about week 32!

I'm lucky that my pregnancies are pretty easy on me. I don't get TOO sick on the beginning, and feel pretty good for the most part, besides some, okay A LOT of swelling. But, this time Harper decided to be frank breech, and her head was constantly pushing on my ribs, and she was causing some problems with my kidneys, and the pain was terrible. So I was eager to make it to week 40 and have her arrive. I was not excited about taking shots that were keeping her in longer. I thought for sure she was going to be overdue. But, thankfully we listen to our doctors, and I continued the shots until week 36. At my 37 week appointment, (my first week without a shot since week 16) we talked about the fact the she was still breech, and talked about my c-section, which was scheduled for October 20. I was going to do my best to hang in there for 2 more weeks.

The morning following that 37 week appointment, I got up to go to school. We dropped Avery off at her Early Edventures program before pre-school. I remember Cullen running her in, and I sat in the car and started having some cramping. I didn't think too much of it, just chalked it up to the appointment the day before. I went to school and went on about my day. The cramping continued most of the day. But come one, I teach 26 first graders. That does NOT leave you with a lot of time to dwell on any aches and pains! I ate lunch, and during my prep in the afternoon when it was just me in my room, I started to pay more attention to them. They were coming a bit more consistently now, and getting a little bit stronger. I still wasn't too concerned though, as I was only 37 weeks.

After school was out, I was joking around with my fellow teachers about how ready I was to have this little girl and joked about my cramps (or later realizing they actually were contractions). I don't know why, call it mother's intuition or what, but I had the thought of, what if this really is something?? So I called Cullen to see if he could pick up Avery, and stayed a bit later at school just organizing some things and tidying up, just in case I wasn't feeling well the next day. I was NOT ready for my poor sub, once again! I guess with any future children, I'll get things ready by about 30 weeks, just to be safe!

When I got home, I laid down on the couch, and filled Cullen in on what was going on. He and Avery ate supper, and we started timing my cramps, as they were getting stronger, and closer together. At about 6:00, I decided to call the nurse line. They recommended laying on my side, drinking water, and seeing if that would help ease them, but to call back in an hour or so if it didn't work. So I did that, as well as call Nana and Papa, just in case we needed them that night. Nana and Papa stopped over, and Harper was having a party in there! You could see her moving, and I could feel her like crazy! I guess she was gearing up for what she knew was coming! At about 7, realizing they weren't stopping, we called back and they told us to come on in so I could get checked out. I don't know why, but again, I had a though that this might actually be it. So, trying to be at least a little more prepared than I was with Avery, I went upstairs to throw a bag together. I at least had my toothbrush, contacts and a change of clothes this time! I also remembered to toss in my sweet girl's coming home outfit, and a few sleepers. Good thing! :)

We dropped Avery off at my parents and go the hospital at about 8. They got me hooked up to a monitor, and stuck us in a little room to observe me for a bit. The contractions got stronger and stronger. I was feeling quite a lot of pain. Cullen was good, as there was a tv, and the MLB playoffs were on! After observing me for awhile, they came to check me. I was only dilated to about a 3 and 90% effaced though, but those stats hadn't changed much. My contractions were getting stronger and closer together though, so the nurse went to find the dr. on call and ask him what he thought. A few minutes later, she came back and told us it looked like it was a good night to have a baby!

WHAT?!!!!!! GAHHH!!!! Excitement, nerves, joy, SO many emotions. I kind of just froze and it was a whirlwind. It was a slow night at the hospital, and all of a sudden our little room was a flurry of nurses, doctors, etc. prepping me for surgery. Then Dr. Weinrich came in and thought we should probably check to make sure she was in fact still breech. She was. Bring on the surgery. It was my first surgery ever, and to say I was pretty terrified would be an understatement, but somehow you just know it is what has to happen, and a feeling of calm kind of came over me. I got the shakes pretty bad from being so anxious I think, but otherwise I was fine. They got me all set, and got Cullen all decked out in scrubs, and then walked me down to the operating room. That was the scary part. I had to leave Cullen and he couldn't come back in until we were ready to start. I sat down on the table, and they gave me my spinal block. That was scary too. All of a sudden my legs started to tingle, and it took them a bit to get it right, but then I couldn't feel anything. SUCH a weird feeling. Then Cullen came back in. By this point, they had started getting everything going. It was kind of just like you see on tv, with the little sheet up over my torso, etc. I was so scared I was going to feel something, but before I knew it, they told me I would meet my sweet girl in just a few seconds. I felt some tugging and pulling, and then heard the sweetest cry in the world. One of the best moments of my life was when they held that little bundle up over the sheet for me to see, and all I could see was a headful of DARK dark hair, and the chubbiest cheeks! Oh my gosh Harper, you were a BEAUTY!!!! They took her over to get all cleaned up, and then brought her back over to me. She was born at 9:39 p.m. Only about an hour after we got to the hospital! What a crazy whirlwind again. These girlies just like to keep us on our toes! 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 19 inches of perfection. Cullen went out while she get all checked out, and then went down to meet Nana, Papa, Great Grandma, and Big Sister Avery!!! I finished getting all put back together and then got to head down to my room to meet up with everyone and get some more snuggles from the newest love of my life! Best.Day.Ever.

And the pictures all uploaded backwards, so start at the bottom and work your way up!

My sweet, sweet girl. Mama is in love.