Welcoming Juliet (without an epidural!?!)

Juliet Sophia Kluge joined us Sept. 28th at 4:29 pm. She was 7'14" and 20.5 in. She has a big dimple in her right cheek. At first she looked strawberry blond, but it lightens a little everyday...

On the morning of the 28th, my water was leaking and we headed over to the hospital after an exam. My water decided to REALLY break while I was standing in the lobby. We knew the pad my OBGYN had given me wasn't cutting it when the girl behind the desk called someone to see if my room was ready then turned to me and said, "We'd rather you kept that to yourself. Let's get you in a room." ...

They started me on petocin to get my contractions going around noon. Thanks to a somewhat morbid medical curiosity, I had wondered during this pregnancy (and the last) how far I could get before getting an epidural. By 2:30 I had gone from 4 to 6 cm and they increased the petocin. At that point the nurse informed me that the anesthesiologist had to do a C-section at 4:00 and that I'd have to decide before that point. As I got to 8 cm, things were getting really intense. The nurse called my OB to let her know my status. When she got back I decided I couldn't do it any more. I asked for the epidural. I looked at the clock as I did so... it said 4:08. I was too late...

Trying not to panic, I realized that I'd have to do it, willing or not. I had the most wonderful nurse. She helped me focus and breathe. Within a few very short minutes (10 0r 15) I went from 8 to 10 cm. My nurse fought with her voice activated call system (it wasn't cooperating) to call for setup and the doctor. I began to worry because I KNEW it was going to be close. To my relief (and everyone else's) my doctor rushed into the room just it time (she ran a light to get there). I was afraid to push at first becuase I knew it would hurt, then I realized that once she was out I wouldn['t have any more contractions! One long, not so quiet push later and voila!!! Out came our beautiful baby girl. She came down and out so fast that she bruised her WHOLE little face. She was pretty swollen and it took her a long time to open her eyes.

Here's her hungry face...

The kids love her so much. They want to hold her all the time.

Avanlee was amazed the first time she saw Juliet open her eyes...

Asher acted so grown up at the hospital!

I pretty much have the best family ever.

We brought her home on the 30th. She looks so tiny on our bed!

Her bruising gets better everyday and she has the cutest face especially when she opens her eyes, which still isn't often. We're so excited and feel so blessed to have Juliet in our family. We're grateful that she is healthy and whole and that we're healthy enough to take care of her and our other children. It's the sweetest thing in the world to see Kyle hold and love her. I love my family and can't wait to get to know Juliet better as she grows and learns!