Here She Is!

She is here! Morgan Nicole Messano was born on December 6, 2013 at 5:40pm. She weighed in at 7lbs 12oz and was 20 inches long. She is happy and healthy and beautiful in every way.

I had my appointment on the 4th and was dilated to a 4. Because my official due date was not until the 18th, Dr. Leavitt couldn't induce me. He sent me home but told me he would probably see me sooner rather than later. I continued to have contractions that day and the next, but nothing consistent enough to go in. Finally, the morning of the 6th, the contractions got strong enough and close enough that I called Carly to come stay with the kids and Jason to come home and get me. I showered and packed my bags and we headed in. My contractions stopped about the time we left the house so we went and walked around the store for a little bit. By the time we were done my contractions we consistent again and we went to the hospital. I was dilated to a 5. The nurse told me that I had to progress even further in the next hour or they would send me back home (crazy) because they can't help my labor along if I am more than a week early. We were just about to start walking the halls when Dr. Leavitt called and told them to hook me up. Since it was my 3rd baby and he knew my history, he knew I would progress fast at the end. It was a relief to me since I was afraid we wouldn't make it back to the hospital in time if they sent me home.

I tested positive with group B strep this pregnancy, which means I had to have an antibiotic while I was in labor. The problem is that it takes 4 hours to start working once it is in your system. They made me lay down and did everything they could to slow my labor down. We checked in a noon and they got the antibiotic in by 1. That meant I couldn't (or should try really hard not to) have the baby before 5 that evening.  We hung out, watched a movie, I got my epidural (lovely!), and I slept. At 5:20 Dr. Leavitt came in and broke my water. I was at a 7 when he broke my water. At 5:30 I was ready to push and at a 10. Jason suited up to deliver with Dr. Leavitt. He was able to deliver Brooklyn and he got to deliver this time as well. At 5:40 Jason handed me a beautiful, red-headed little GIRL!!

Jason was right, again. He said we were going to have a girl and we did! I was expecting a little boy with dark hair and I got a little girl with red hair. I was in shock! We were thrilled and she was beautiful.

This labor and delivery was by far my easiest yet. The epidural they gave me was not as strong as the one I had with Brooklyn, which was actually really nice. With Brooklyn I wasn't able to move my legs or even walk until about 10 hours later. With Morgan I was up and walking as soon as she was born. I was able to watch her take her first bath - which I missed with both of my other kiddos.

Carly and Will brought Carson and Brooklyn up right after Morgan was born to meet her for the first time. They were instantly in love, especially Carson. He had been so excited for the baby to come and he wasn't really sad at all that she was a little girl. He wanted to hold her, love on her, kiss her, sing to her, and be next to her at all times. He is such a good big brother!

First Family Photo

Carson was not very happy when the nurses took Morgan into the nursery. He stood at the window and watched her every move and kept telling the nurses to be nice to her. He didn't want to leave the hospital until he knew she was going to be ok.

 

April bought Morgan her going-home outfit and it was adorable. She looked so cute in it and so tiny!

I was worried about how Brooklyn would react to having a baby in the house. She is such a strong willed little girl that I thought she would be mean to the baby. I was wrong. She loves Morgan and wants to help me and hold her. She is so sweet to Morgan and always wants to help her when she cries. The kids have adjusted really well to having Morgan here and we are all so in love.