Oh What a Wonderful, Wonderful Day

"Oh what a wonderful, wonderful day. Day I will never forget . . ." That is the song I was singing to Lucy Anne as we walked around the lake. It was such a beautiful day! The temperature was probably only in the upper 80's to low 90's, the water on the lake was glistening, geese and ducks calling, and a few bright, white clouds in the sky with a cool breeze, and continuous contractions as I walked and walked and walked!!!!

Ella Kate Poe arrived at 8:43 p.m. on Monday, August 28th, weighing in at a whopping 6 lbs. one oz. and 19 inches long.

The day had started with a pre-planned appt. at the O.B. At the appt. a week earlier we had discussed this day might be the day since I was dialated to 4 cm. My doctor had prepped me with the idea that if I had progressed in dialation there could be complications when the baby dropped. Therefore, there could be a need for induction. So, as I stated, Justin and I found ourselves at the appt. awaiting what the outcome would be . . . I was dialated to a 5. I had assumed that when my doctor had mentioned induction that it wouldn't necessarily be my choice or decision. However, she presented us with the dilemma . . . to be induced or not be induced. She felt like either way (on my own or with help) would be successful and didn't want to make it medically necessary, knowing that I had wanted Ella to come on her own. Although, her recommendation was to go ahead and have the baby that day (especially since, in her words, "they had a bed with my name on it"). As you may know Justin and I very well, or even if you don't know us that well, we don't make decisions in a very timely manner. Our doctor left the room to allow us to pray about it (I may have mentioned before our doctor is Justin's cousin's wife) . At first I had decided I would go ahead and induce. All of the medical reasoning seemed to stack positively toward getting the baby out. However, Justin and I had always liked the idea of God's timing, of course. And I was wanting Ella to come the same way Lucy Anne did . . . her delivery was so much fun!!! So, we deliberated and deliberated . . . Finally, doc came back in and said, "okay, go walk around Wal-mart or the lake and come back at 2:00 and I'll check you again". She knew the walking would excite me since she had eliminated excercize from my daily routine. I went home, called the parents, prayed some more, and loaded Lucy up in the stroller for a walk around the lake. I was having contractions continuously but didn't really know if they were "the one's" to get things rolling since I had been having contractions for a month or so. Well, after Lucy Anne and I got home I made her a small bowl of mac and cheese and hopped in the shower (forgetting my lunch). Justin came and picked us up to go back to the doctor, thank goodness he had an extra cheeseburger from McDonalds since it would be my last for a while. This time when she checked me I had dialated to a 6. She sent me immediately to the hospital. I arrived at 2:00, received my epideural around 4:00 and she came to break my water shortly after. All of our parents came and after never really feeling much pain at all, Ella arrived a few short hours later.

When I first saw her, all I could think was how familiar she looked. I had seen her face before . . .she looks just like my baby pictures!

What a blessing! Thank you, Lord, for a truly amazing day! How you hear us when we pray and lead us all the way. Thank you for Ella Kate Poe.