Peter Harrison Robbe has arrived...Superman Style!

Peter was due on August 25th, the same due date as Teddy! I'd been in a lot of pain from my hip/leg ligament issue and I couldn't walk or do too much. I was not a happy camper at the end of this pregnancy. As the end of August approached I was so desperate to have an August baby! If nothing else to give Peter his own month! However, little Pete had different plans in mind. 

It all started around 4 PM on September 1st. I got my first "real" contraction and I immediately knew. This is it. With Teddy, I called Nick right away and my doctor and my doula. This time around I knew it could be a long time so I did a Kourtney Kardashian and got in the shower! Not to help the pain, but to get cleaned up! I got out of the shower and put on make-up in between contractions. I wanted to look decent for the pictures! **I was determined to get more pictures this time. I have Teddy's birth on video, but very few pictures of me laboring. I considered blowing out my hair, but decided on just putting it back off my face and letting it air dry. 

Around 4:30 Nick came upstairs and I told him I was in labor. We started timing contractions, but they weren't consistent yet so we weren't worried. We let Sue and Ed Robbe know that we "might" be in active labor, but we'd let them know. They were heading to a wedding in Hyde Park so we needed to give them a heads up in case they had to come get Teddy. 

As labor progressed I had a hard time focusing and relaxing. I could not for the life of me get out of my head and relax my body. I tried listening to my headphones, but nothing was working. I didn't want to move, so getting in the shower or bath was not an option. Around 6:00 we decided it was time for Teddy to go to Nonna and Grandpa's. As we waited for them to leave the ceremony and come home, Nick prepared some food for me and Teddy. Around 7:00, Nick filmed this of me in labor. At this point I was trying to relax by listening to my Hynobirthing CD and deep breathing. Teddy was in bed with me, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. 

I tried and tried to relax. I. Could. Not. Focus! It was maddening. Shortly after the previous video was filmed, I made a decision. I did not WANT to do this anymore. I knew I COULD. I didn't WANT to. AT. ALL. I was going to the hospital and getting an epidural. Period. I called my doula and told her. Then she decided it was time she came to me. She said she was getting in her car and driving to our house. I talked to my sister and she calmed me down a bit.

At 8:30 something changed. I don't know what it was, but I KNEW. I looked at Nick and said, "Hospital. Now." I just knew it was time to go to the hospital. Nick started gathering everything up and loading the car. Then we heard the door open. Sue had come back to get diapers for Teddy. They had fallen out of the bag when they picked up Teddy. She came upstairs to check on me. She rubbed my back through the contractions and told me how proud she was of me. It was so comforting to have her there. She helped us get into the car and we were off!

I didn't do so well in the car. I was moaning through the contractions and I kept repeating "Go deep". For some reason I latched onto that phrase when I heard "go deep into a relaxed state" on my hypnobirthing track. I was so desperate to relax! I also made a decision. IF I was 6 cm or less, I was 100% getting the epidural. If I was in transition, I knew it wouldn't be too much longer.

Our doula met us at the hospital and she wheeled me through the hospital. Of course, we arrived after hours and had to go in through the ER doors. It was the longest wheelchair ride ever dot com! I couldn't sit, so I perched myself on sideways and held onto the arm rails for life.

I got checked in and went to triage. The nurse asked me if I could change into a gown. I said NO! I couldn't lay or sit so I kneeled on the bed and hugged the back of the upright bed. It was not fun at all! When she checked me she said I was 6 cm. I immediately said I wanted the epidural. She said he was right there and she felt I could do it naturally again. Nope. Epidural. NOW. My doula tried to talk me out of it. I was adament. I don't WANT to do this! I know I CAN. I don't WANT TO!!!!

The nurse came back in and said they had my room ready, called my doctor and ordered the epidural, could I walk to my room? NO! Could I get in a wheelchair? NO! Could Nick carry me? Ummm...NO! So she offered to wheel the bed to the room. That's more like it! At some point during this conversation, my water broke. I announced that very matter of factly by saying, "Water broke".

As they were wheeling me to my room, I started pushing. I literally felt like I was clawing the ceiling. I was screaming "help me"  and at one point I yelled, "I think I'm pooping my pants!" This was only important because I was still in my own clothes! EEWWW!! **I was not pooping, just in the late stage of labor! I laugh at this time of the labor because I just know I was affirming every laboring mother's decision to get the epidural! I felt some pretty strong pushes in the hall. My doula helped me through one and I finally felt my hips relax. It felt GOOD!

The nurse got me into the room and onto the bed. They had barely wheeled the triage bed out of the room when I felt it. My hips blasted open, the most intense pressure of all! He was coming! When I announced this to the nurse, she said, "Ok, let me check you...OH! He's crowning! I'll just get some gloves." Sorry lady, when I said he was coming, I freaking meant He. Was. Coming. NOW! I pushed again and popped his head out. The nurse threw on gloves, and told Nick and my doula to hit the call button. Neither one of the could find it. Not that it mattered, everything was happening so fast! She unwrapped the cord from his neck and told me to give another push. He apparently came out with his hand on his face. With the first half of the push she got his arm straight and the second half of the push, he flew out arm outstretched Superman style! Peter Harrison Robbe was welcomed into this world on Saturday, September 1, 2012. He weighed a whopping 8 pounds 4 ounces and was 21.5 inches!

This birth was so quick and fast and so unlike Teddy's. Even though I wanted the epidural, I'm so glad Petey had other plans. I don't know if I would have regretted it, or wished I'd toughed it out. The following video was taken right after he was born. You can see I'm still in my clothes, no IV, no gown. What strikes me the most is the look of shock on my face. I was shocked for days at how fast things transpired. But I was so glad it was over!

Here are a few pics from the days in the hospital.

Robbe Family Vacation

For the Robbe Family Vacation, we went to Isle of Palms, just outside of Charleston. It was beautiful! We rented a large beach house that had it's own private pool and access to the beach across the street. We had the most amazing time! Teddy loved the ocean and the beach...and only ate sand a couple of times! Spending time with the whole family was the best part though!

We had two theme nights. The first was Country Night. (see below) But the second theme night was 70's/80's night and the Robbes did it up! Oh and we also went out to dinner dressed like this! Nick and I did 70's. Mostly because my tie-dye field day shirt was the only thing I could fit into! Nick rocked my Jesus Christ Superstar shirt circa 1995 from my church Mission Trip to DC! And Teddy was grooving in his Scooby Doo shirt!

Teddy was loving my belly at this stage. He constantly pulled my shirt up and snuggled with it. He also frequently licked it...not sure what that was about! :)

The whole crew at the house.

Pool time was THE BEST! Teddy loved being thrown in the air and jumping into the pool. The kid is FEARLESS.  He constantly jumped in by himself and went under, so much so that we couldn't take off his floaties if we were anywhere near the pool!

Cousins on Country Night

Matt and Megan cooked us yummy burgers for Country Night.

Scott broke his hand on Buppy. Yes that's right, he ran his hand into Buppy and it broke. WOW.

Teddy made a new friend. This girl was into his blue eyes and daring personality! 

Classic Nick and Kelly pic!

The best pic ever!

So I have some catching up to do!

I cannot even begin to explain what the past couple months have brought us. With the birth of Petey and our magical trip to Disney World, I don't even know where to start! But before my maternity leave is over, I hope to have updated the blog from our vacation this summer, Petey's birth and the Disney trip. Stay tuned people...I'm going to go blogcrazy! :)

Maternity Photos 2012

There's a great story behind these photos. They were very impromptu and probably shouldn't have happened. But I am SO glad they did! After a wonderful first day at school, I was exhausted! I went to fill up and realized I must have left my wallet at school. I was so tired, I didn't want to drive back to get it, so I just went on thinking I would have Nick fill me my car later in the night and I would get my wallet tomorrow. Little did I know there would be a wreck on 275 that would make my 40 minute drive home an hour and a half! So I creeped along 275 on empty, with no wallet, and by now you know I had to pee, all the while having Braxton Hicks contractions. Needless to say, this was not one of my top 5 favorite moments! I made it home on fumes and filled up my car after Teddy went to sleep.

I went to bed early, prepared to get a good night's sleep to get me through the second day of school. Teddy woke up at 1 am, but went quickly back to sleep. I on the other hand did not. I had a little bit of cramping and all I could think about was if this turned into labor I wouldn't have my wallet or insurance card! That kept me up until 5 am and when my alarm went off at 5:40, I was a mess. I should have called off, but I wasn't prepared for my sub yet and I still had some things to do. As luck would have it, I got stuck behind a bus that was having some issues and I was late for school. I got there after the students arrived (like 5 minutes) but it was long enough for my fellow teachers to fear the worst and they were in a panic by the time I arrived. I was so stressed and tired it was all I had just to get it together to greet my students. 

Another teacher and I decided to take the kids to the intermediate playground for a quick recess. If you've been to my school, you know this is not a short walk. When we came back in, I of course had to go to the bathroom. That's when I discovered I had some active bleeding. The last time I had active bleeding I was holding Teddy in my arms 14 hours later. True story!

So I was 100% positive this was it! I was going to meet Petey that night. I was kind of excited because if he was born after midnight, he would be born on August 25th, Teddy and Petey's shared due date. I called my substitute, Bonnie and she rushed into school for me. I let the office know I was leaving because I was pretty sure I was in labor and I rushed to Belinda's to get Teddy. I'm not going to lie, I was a HOT MESS. I had been up since 1 am, the only food I could find in my room was oreos. Albeit, they were doubled stuft and super delicious...but not exactly labor fuel. I didn't know how I was going to do natural labor on this little food and sleep. 

I called my mom and sister and let them know what was going on. At this point, I couldn't stop crying. When Missy asked me if this was it and if she should come down, I said, "I don't know but I NEED YOU." That's all she needed to hear. She packed up the car, arranged child care for the kids and told our mom that she was coming to pick her up in 15 minutes, if she couldn't get off work, then she would have to drive separately! Now that's some sisterly dedication!

After I got home I quickly ate some healthy foods to power me up for labor and I got into bed. I prayed for a couple of hours of sleep before, as I like to call it, "Sh** gets real". I was able to sleep by doing my meditation/hypnobirthing relaxation cd. When I woke up, I was ready. Let's do this! I got up and started cleaning, doing squats and mentally preparing for labor. And that's when...nothing happened. I was still bleeding, but I had no contractions or even Braxton Hicks. Nick and I took Teddy on a stroll around the neighborhood, but my ligament issues and the fact that it was 90 degrees prevented us from going too far. 

My mom and sister arrived. After dinner, Missy and I went to Meijer, thinking a cooler environment would be better to walk in and help move things along. I could barely walk at Meijer. My ligaments were just not cooperating. I'm sure the employees at Meijer were like, get OUT before you have that baby in our store!

We all went to bed early, hoping to get woke up in the middle of the night with some serious "real" labor pains. No such luck. After breakfast Missy and I were just sitting there talking and she says, "Get upstairs, throw on some make up, put on something cute and let's take some pics!" If you've known me for any amount of time, you already know that I bounded upstairs and did as requested!

Below is the amazing result of the maternity photo session that probably shouldn't have happened! Enjoy!