"I plan on having a vaginal delivery with an epidural!!!"

I know I've written before about how people tend to tell you any thing when you're pregnant (give you advice, tell you youre big, etc.). While that has really annoyed me, I have yet to have a really odd encounter with someone regarding my pregnancy until yesterday. After my encounter I knew it was definitely blog worthy haha. So, here is my story:

Yesterday at work this lady came in to visit with one of our residents. I had never met her before so she was a complete stranger to me. She seemed really friendly and came into my office to chat for a moment. I was sitting at my desk and the first thing she said to me was, "Are you with child?". Obviously, I said "Yes." She then asked me if she could touch my belly and I said yes. I stood up and she then preceded to rub my stomach in this sort of thrusting motion-back and forth, back and forth. It was an incredibly awkward moment, but I must admit it did feel good. The reason she was rubbing this way was because according to her, "Pregnant women love when I do this because they are usually real itchy in this area." Odd, but whatever.

After my "prenatal massage" she sat down in my office and said, "What is your birth plan?" Oh my gosh, seriously??? Why is this strange woman asking me about my birth plan?! So, I just looked at her and said, "What?" This is how the rest of our conversation went:

Stranger: "Your birth plan...what is your birth plan?"
Me: "I plan on having a vaginal delivery with an epidural."
Stranger (in a firm tone): "Oh no you are not having an epidural!!!"
Me: "Really? How come?"
Stranger: "Well, I shouldn't tell you this because you are pregnant, but I am going to. Do you realize that if you have an epidural, you have a great chance of being paralyzed afterwards?"
Me: "Well, I really think that is rare and I think I have a great chance of not being paralyzed."
Stranger: "I wouldn't do an epidural. Seriously, there is a great risk for that. Another reason you shouldn't get an epidural is because you won't be able to get out of bed or walk for 2 hours after the baby is born."
Me: "That would be fine with me. After hours of labor, I think I wouldn't mind relaxing in the bed for a few more hours."
Stranger: "Well without an epidural, you are free to get up and shower at any time during your labor if you wanted to."
Me: "That doesn't really matter to me. They can sponge bathe me."
Stranger: "Also, with an epidural you have to have an episiotomy."
Me: "My sister-in-law just had a baby with an epidural and she didn't get an episiotomy. I know a lot of people who didn't have to get an episiotomy."
Stranger: "All I am saying is that the Lord intended for birth to be natural. I had three kids all natural and it really is mind over matter. Seriously, it does not hurt and your labor will be shorter than if you had an epidural. I was in labor for 72 hours with my first child."
Me: "My friend Lauren just had a baby and she had her child just a few hours after her epidural."
Stranger: "Well, natural is the way to go. You can even ask for this massage where they put oil on your labia and massage your vagina and it feels really good."
Me: "If I have an epidural I won't feel anything any way so it really doesn't matter."
Stranger: "Honey, don't let anyone tell you what to do. All I am saying is that you need to have a natural birth because it is the only way to go. Now tell me...after us having this conversation, what is your birth plan?"
Me: "I plan on having a vaginal delivery with an epidural."
Stranger: "Well, just be sure to breast feed. (Her kid started fussing at this point and as she headed out to go after him she said). I will come back another day to give you another massage."

HOLY COW DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK THAT CONVERSATION WAS AS WEIRD AS I DO?! I mean really!!!!! First of all, I had never met this woman before in my life and she gives me a "prenatal" massage. Then, she sits down in my office and lectures me (for at least half an hour) on how I need to have a natural birth. The conversation lasted a lot longer that what I quoted...those were just the highlights. By the way, a lot of her points made absolutely no sense and she completely contradicted herself a lot throughout our conversation. At first I was a little angry that she was forcing her opinion down my throat. But then I just realized that she is like a lot of people in this world: crazy and has no sense, so I just laughed inside and made fun of her in my head. :) I have no problem with people having natural births, but do not tell me that is the only way to go. Yes Eve had a natural birth back in the day, but goodness- a lot of things have changed. We don't sacrifice animals anymore, we don't walk around in tunics and sandals...a lot of things have changed. Whew!! I am worn out just replaying that conversation. It was quite interesting. But just so all of you, I PLAN ON HAVING A VAGINAL DELIVERY WITH AN EPIDURAL!!! :)

Aubrie Michelle Rucker is HERE!!

I am now a proud aunt of a sweet, beautiful, precious baby girl: Aubrie Michelle Rucker. She was born on Monday, August 11, 2008 at 4:40 am, weighed 7 lb. 13 oz. and measured 20 in. I cannot tell you how proud I am and what fun the whole fam had at the hospital. Let me do a recap for you.

I got a call from momma about 8 am on sunday morning informing me that Andrea had been having contractions since 1am. They were waiting for her contractions to be 5 min. apart before they went to the hospital. So, the waiting game began. Matt and I decided to go to the early service at church so we could be available if they went to the hospital later that morning (New Spring is right down the street from St. Francis). After church we called momma and they informed us that everyone was on the way to the hospital. Matt and I arrived a little before 11 am. A few minutes later everyone else arrived. Little did we know that we'd be leaving very soon. Ruck and Andrea walked out, disappointed, and said that she was still only 1 cm dilated and could go home and rest until the contractions got more severe.

What did we all do? Well, we all loaded up (me, Matt, mom, dad, Chad, Michelle, Mark, Andrea, and Andrea's parents) and went to eat lunch at Stax Omega. We had so much fun (except for Andrea every 5 min or so having contractions in between eating her french toast and drinking her drink). After our leisurely brunch we all went our separate ways. At 4pm I got a call from mom that they were heading back to the hospital because Andrea's contractions were getting more severe. So, we packed our things back up and headed to the hospital to wait this thing out. Sure enough when we got there, they admitted her (she was 3 cm dilated) and in pain. Andrea and Mark would occasionally walk through the waiting room prior to her receiving her epidural (she wanted to wait it out as long as possible so she wouldn't be confined to her bed). At about 7:30 pm or so she finally decided to get her epidural (after that she was in heaven). :)

We would all take turns hanging out in the waiting room and going to their room to hang for a few. Gosh they were so relaxed and calm-they wanted us to come visit. About 10:30 pm or so, Matt and Michelle had to leave because they had to get up really early the next morning for work. So, that left me, mom, dad, Chad, Andrea's parents and uncle Adger (who showed up about midnight). About 11pm Mark told me to come in their room and lay on the couch and rest up. So, while everyone else "napped" in the waiting room, I headed to their room to watch the olympics and try to sleep. It was such a special moment to share and I will never forget it. About 12:30 am, I slipped out while the nurse came in to check Andrea's progress. After this time, there was no more sleeping. The diagnosis: about 6 or 7 cm dilated (I can't remember). We still had a long ways to go. :)

For the rest of the time we all just hung out, looked up jokes online (Chad entertained us), played games, became delirious, etc. About 4am the nurse came out to tell us that Andrea was going to start pushing and that they would keep us posted. We were pumped!! Mom and I sat with our camera and video camera, just waiting for Mark or the nurse to come tell us when she had arrived. At 4:40 am I heard a baby's cry and I told mom I just knew it was Aubrie. Mom didn't believe me because she said there was no way we would be able to hear her from where we were. :) At 5:05 am the nurse came down the hall to tell us to go in and they were ready. By the way, Aubrie was born at 4:40 am so that was her cry I heard. :) I cannot tell you how hard it was for me not to pee my pants on that walk down the hall because I was so excited. We all walked down the hall and peeked through the door and I will never forget the look on Mark's face. He had the biggest smile on his face and tears in his eyes and said through a giggle, "Look at her! Yall just look at her!" It was the most tender moment ever-to see how proud my brother, this new daddy, was of his little girl.

We all took our turns holding her (they were awesome about insisting that we all hold her). I was fine until I took her in my arms-I cried like a baby. I can't imagine how I will be when Cadence gets here-I'll probably need some strong drugs to sedate me haha. We had such a blast with the whole family hanging out in anticipation and then sharing this special moment together. I love my family, but I love them even more now-and especially this sweet new edition.

We all finally left the hospital about 5:45 am to return to our homes to sleep. I probably got about 2 hours of sleep before having to head into work the next day. Then of course after work, we headed back to the hospital to see her and have her birthday party (Mark and Andrea had made her a cake when her labor pains began). So, we all sang to her and enjoyed cake and each other. So much fun! I am ready to go love on her some more. :)

The Rucker Family

Mimi, Daddy Mark, Aubrie, and Papa

Aunt Abby and Baby Aubrie

Aubrie, Daddy Mark, Aunt Abby and Uncle Chad

Beautiful Aubrie!

Uncle Matt

Aubrie's Birthday Party

Waiting for little Aubrie Rucker...

I am extremely excited because any day now I will be an aunt to a sweet baby girl, Aubrie Rucker. My brother, Mark and his wife, Andrea are expecting their first child around August 9. I think I've been so focused and excited about my own child coming that I tend to forget that I will be an aunt for the first time in the next few days or so. I will definitely add some pics of her when she enters into this world.

It has been fun being pregnant with my sister-in-law. I am 3 months behind her, which has been exciting getting to see her experience things-knowing I would later be experiencing the same things. I can't believe that her pregnancy is almost up...it seems like just yesterday they called to tell us that she was expecting. I can't wait to have our little girls grow up together and be "best cousins." I hope they will be atleast. :) I am sure they will be very different, but yet still get along great. I never had any cousins close to my age/proximity, so being able to watch my daughter grow up so close in age and proximity with her cousin will be so much fun.

As you can imagine, my parents are beside themselves. Mom already has a nursery ready (has had one ready for about 3+ months now). It is beautiful. Now all she needs are some rugrats to fill up the nursery! :) I can't wait to see my parents be grandparents (Mimi and Papa..."Mimi" after my mom's mom and "Papa" after my dad's dad). I had the best grandparents ever and I know that my parents will be just like that (Matt's parents too). It's crazy how life changes and things just go in a circle. I look forward to everything that the future has in store for all of us.



*Me and Andrea at one of her baby showers*

Bonding with Cadence

Last night Matt had to go back into work and I had some time alone (which normally, I do not like-especially after dark). But, God really used that time last night to speak to me and to give me some amazing time with Cadence. You're probably wondering how in the world I can have some time with her since she hasn't even entered this world yet, but trust me: God is good and He makes it happen. :)

I decided to go up into our bedroom with the puppies, read my Bible a little bit, and spend some time in prayer. Lately I have really been struggling with my time in the Word and what to read, what to pray, etc. So, I am really trying hard to dig in and just let God lead me. During my prayer time I really just started praying for Cadence and for her future. I've been so excited to become a mom that I have not really thought about the fact that I am going to be a MOTHER and raising a little girl. I know that sounds dumb, but it didn't really hit home until last night. All of these thoughts started running through my head: Will she love me and have a great relationship with me like I do with my mom? I hope she knows the Lord at a very young age and does amazing things for Him...but what if He calls her overseas for missions? (that'd be so hard to let her go). What if she goes through a lot of middle school/high school drama with petty girls and stupid boys?!

Soooooooo many thoughts started running through my head and I realized that Cadence is first and foremost God's child. As much as I am going to love her and want the best for her, God will love her that much more and design an amazing plan for her that I can't even imagine or dream up myself. He already knows the date and time when she is going to meet Him and give her life over to Christ. He already knows the heartaches she will experience and He already knows the man that will sweep her off of her feet. It may sound weird that I am already thinking and praying about the man that will marry my future daughter, but let me tell you that if it weren't for my grandmother and my parents praying-since the day I was born-for the man I was going to marry, then I would not have found Matthew. God honors the prayers of His people and He gives us the desires of our hearts. I have prayed for Cadence since the first time I saw the positive sign on our pregnancy test, and I will continue to pray for her until the day that I die.

After praying for her and allowing God to speak to my heart, I spent the rest of my "alone" time singing to her. Now, for all you out there who are laughing, you can kiss my butt! :) It was a sweet time. I sang "Amazing Grace" over and over (the song that was me and my Mimi's favorite) and would you know that she LOVED it!! She kicked and squirmed. I have read that by now she is able to hear voices and other things on the outside of my belly, so I am making sure to sing to her and talk to her. After I sang my first verse, I just stopped and stared at my belly and kept saying outloud, "I am going to be a mom and my little daughter is living inside of me right now." (something I've known since the day I found out I was pregnant-that I would have a living being inside of me.) But I'm telling you, it did not really hit me emotionally until last night.

I am so thankful for my time with Cadence and with the Lord last night. It was such a blessing and something that I will never forget. I look forward to many more bonding times with her-especially after she arrives into this world! :)