Lessons from Pregnancy #4

Photo from Noss Photography & Designs

I had a realization today in a brief break from the mommy fog that has taken over my life - you know the one, where you don't know what day it is and you're not sure of the last time you spoke to an adult about something other than diapers or sleep patterns or feeding time. Anyway, I realized I never formally introduced Evelyn! Shon and I, along with three SUPER excited siblings, welcomed Miss Evelyn to the family exactly two months ago today! We couldn't be more in love.

A few things I learned during this pregnancy that I thought I would share with you.
1. I've only ever been induced with my babies. With #4, I went on my own, and it is so much faster! We got to the hospital at 6:15am and Evelyn was born at 7:43. Which brings me to...
2. If your contractions feel different than normal, and you're not sure if you should go to the hospital because you don't want to wake up the kids and you don't want to be "that girl" who gets sent home because it's not real labor? GO ANYWAY! I was seriously only one "let's just wait and see through one more contraction" away from a) my water breaking in the car, and b) not getting any drugs. Neither of those would have been a happy scenario. If you're questioning it, just go.
3. If you are offered an extra day in the hospital, and you don't medically need it, tell them no thanks. I thought the rest would be nice, but I wanted my own bed, my own TV (hello, no Netflix to binge on?!), and to be able to move from one room to another. Our hospital staff was awesome, but I would definitely do that part differently.
4. Apparently hospital food is no longer terrible. For the record, I had the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich of my life. Twice. I'd have another baby just so I could have some more of that grilled cheese! I have no idea what the secret was, either. Real butter? Somebody else made it and I didn't have to? They didn't burn the first three pieces of bread? The world may never know...
5. It's nearly impossible to find cold weather clothing (think October in Iowa) in baby Florida Gators design. So if you're thinking of being unique with that coming home outfit? Start planning ahead of time! And definitely make it your own. You are totally allowed to go grossly overboard on your baby's first outfits. I give you permission. You'll have those pictures saved forever.
6. Having a baby at 31 vs 21 (or 19 or 25) definitely has its advantages: maturity, stability, other -ty words... but it is a LOT harder on your body. I fully support each person's right to choose the family planning path for them, and I know some rockstar moms having babies at 40+! But holy cow, I'm not as young as I used to be!