Patience is almost three weeks old now and we're settling into a nice routine. She's such a sweet and even tempered baby. She's awake a lot more now and usually just sits there looking around peacefully. The kids love her! Gracie, Noah, and Knox can't get enough snuggle time. Molly cracks us all up trying to tickle her. Mercy giggles with delight when she sees her and keeps trying to kiss her head. Sorry no pictures. Colin is in Scotland for two weeks and took the camera. Not that I'd know how to use it if I did have it! We've survived so far thanks to a really amazing Aunt Amanda. I could NOT have made it so far without her.

A poam by Gracie

Yipee Patiense is here!
i like to hold her a lot!
Her face is all red!
And so is her body!
Patiense is cuter then cute!
i love Patiense

Birth Story...

If you remember my horror birth experience with Mercy, then you will understand all my fears and trepidation at my impending birth of Patience. I just could not bear the thought of going through that torture again. However, this experience was amazingly calm, peaceful, and joyful - exactly what I'd prayed for. God was so kind to show his graciousness and love to me through her birth. I have been so blessed in so many ways.

Sunday morning, two days after my due date:
6am Water breaks. I wake up to a weird feeling and run to the bathroom and there is a huge gush of water. I immediately start shaking as I think things are about to get rough really fast. I call the midwife and decide to wait until the first contraction comes along before I head to the hospital. I take a shower to try and calm down.
6:55am First contraction. After waiting nearly an hour I finally have a contraction but it is so mild I know this isn't really the beginning. I have a couple of sporadic and mild ones so I decide to lie down and rest.
7:30 am First "real" contraction. This one is intense and feels much more like my beginning labor contractions. I call the midwife and decide to head on into the hospital while there's still plenty of time. I want to get settled in early so I can have time to relax before the end. I have 3-4 more intense contractions on the way to the hospital. I have two more as I walk from the car to the entrance and my midwife Christy meets us outside during the second one.
8am Arrive up to my floor and tell Christy and Colin that I want an epidural. I'm not in pain but the memories are flooding back just from being up at the labor and delivery ward and I'm anxious to avoid my previous experience. Christy looks at Colin who shakes his head then she says, "Hmm.. do you always feel that way at the end?" I say, "No you don't understand!" She says, "Well, let's get to the room and see where we are." I'm thinking I don't care I just want out of this deal now!
8:20am Get checked. 8cm. Now I'm still doing great. The contractions are far apart and fairly easy. The nurses and Christy are fantastic and back off quietly during contractions. Super understanding and helpful. I'm even able to make a joke or two between contractions. I am amazed at how God is caring for me through this and making it a truly easy and wonderful time. Things are feeling "pushy."
8:45am I think Lord, this is great, but could you please get this over with in the next contraction?
8:46 am Overwhelming push and there is Patience Olivia!

She's beautiful, wonderful, sweet, and precious. I am so thankful to God for all He has done for me and for blessing me with another amazing daughter.

ETA: 8lb 10 oz. :D

Biggest and Littlest

DSC_0897, originally uploaded by cgclan2003.

Home

DSC_0876, originally uploaded by cgclan2003.

She's Here! Patience Olivia Gunn!

First contraction

6:55 am
Fairly mild... Let you know more soon. Please pray

Water Broke!

Around 6am - still waiting for some strong contractions.

Loved this...

DSC_0378, originally uploaded by cgclan2003.

Okay, so I still don't know how to upload photos and Colin has been too busy to do more, so these may seem a bit repetitive. Anyway, I just loved this pic of Gracie. It is SO her!! Full of fun and spirit :)

In other news... due date is a couple more days away and I go back and forth between utter exhaustion and huge energy spurts. I also go back and forth between slight discomfort and not being able to walk at all. Good times... I got a birth ball to try to get labor going, but I end up letting the kids play with it more than I end up sittiing on it :) We are all very excited about getting to meet little Patience, let's hope she really is little ;)