Well, I need to write this down. More for my own sake than yours- so if it bores you, just skip down to the next post. That's where the stats & photos are. But for the brave souls who are still reading- here is the story of Janica.
As usual, I was coming up on 40 weeks of pregnancy with no sign of baby. Which for me was fine. I don't have particularly large babies, and they are really lazy their first few days of life, which in the past has lead to excessive weight loss, jaundice & other issues. So, I was content to just let her sit in my belly & get fat. However, at my 39 week appt, my Dr. informed me that this baby was looking a bit bigger than my usual & he scheduled an induction.
I went into the hospital Tuesday morning about 8:30. I was so lucky to have my friend & neighbor, Jenny Hoerman as my nurse. She got me all going on the machines & then asked when I'd like to have the anestesiologist come. "Well, right now!", was my reply. Somehow this comment started a funny conversation between Jenny, Seth & myself about what would happen if we waited a little bit. It really started off as a joke- or a dare, I guess you could say. Seth kept saying how much he hated the man with the huge needle & how "uncomfortable" it made him. (While I'm thinking- "Oh you poor boy. We wouldn't want you to be UNCOMFORTABLE, now would we!")
Meanwhile, Jenny & I were discussing my previous labors & she found out how fast they are & really quite simple & uncomplicated, by today's standards. She said "You know, seriously, you are such a perfect candidate for a natural labor. It's your 5th baby, your labor is fast & easy (I was already dilated 5 centimeters when I got there) & your tolerance for pain seems really good". Well, she was wrong about that last part, but something about the way she said it made me realize it was something that intrigued me- JUST a little. So, I told her I would think about it at least for a few minutes. She also stressed that if it got to be too much for me, we could call the anestesiologist at any time- so I figured why not play with fire- just a little. I wont get burned, right????
OH- I GOT BURNED ALRIGHT.
Well, about 1 hour into my labor the contractions got to be quite painful. I called Jenny to come & check me & she said "You're about an 8". I said, "How much longer?" I mean, I really needed to know in minutes. I could handle 10 minutes, perhaps 20, but if it was much longer than that, I was out. She called Dr. K to come & be ready. (apparently natural labor can be much quicker & the Dr. needs to be standing by just in case). By the time Dr. K had walked down the hall I was having another contraction that was REDICULOUS & I started to cry & said "What in the hell was I thinking???? This was a terrible idea. I need the drugs. Will someone seriously get the anestesiologist?" But noone was paying attention to me at this point. People had started to come into the room, bustling about preparing for delivery. Suddenly I realized what was happening & went into a full fledged panic attack. I was scared to death & really wanting to kick myself for being so dumb. I mean, really- who refuses DRUGS? Drugs are our friend- placed here by a loving God who doesn't want us to suffer NEEDLESSLY!!!!! Anyway- back to me. Dr. K says he wants me to try a practice push & I say no way. (I'm still having a pity party/panic attack). Also, at this point I'm just positive that I'm about to poop my pants. Oh wait- I'm not wearing pants. Jenny & Doc both inform me that this is the pressure from the baby, but I tell them no way- its poo. Looking back, I'm a little mortified at the candidacy of this conversation with the staff, but I'm sure they've heard much worse. Actually, I'm quite proud of myself. I never swore at anyone (which anyone who knows me knows I tend to do when stressed out/angry/scared- oh, just about anytime), and I only screamed once. Just a tiny scream when the baby's head delivered. Ouch. I can still remember....... (shudder......)
WHEW! The entire labor/delivery took just over 2 hours, and looking back- really wasn't that bad. I'm so proud of myself for doing it, even though I for sure tried to wimp out at the last minute. It's more the fear of the unknown than the pain that was getting to me. I was just so scared! But, now I can say there are a LOT of benefits to a natural labor. My recovery was awesome- I felt so much better afterwards. The baby came out PERFECT, no battlewounds from hanging out in the birth canal for too long. She wasn't all drugged up, I could walk, etc.
It was just really nice.
So, the last thing I'll say about a natural labor is I'm really glad I did it. I'm not sure I would do it again- its sort of like running a marathon. Something you want to try once so you can cross it off your bucket list- right? Place a check mark next to it & move on- but don't do it again! It was an awesome experience. I'm glad Jenny & Seth were there to encourage me (although both of them VEHEMENTLY deny that they in any way talked me into it). They were both incredibly supportive. Jenny breathed me through the worst of it, and my sweet Sethy somehow managed to stay standing for about 90% of it. I think he may have even peeked over the curtain at some point which is a HUGE step for him. He is a full-on delivery room ninny. Or was, I should say. We both grew a little that day.......
Anywho- back to my sweet baby. They placed her immediately on me, covered in goo & everything, which has never been done with my previous babies. She had all this light blonde hair which was so mesmerizing. I've never seen a baby with so much hair that was such a light color. Also, she was so chubby! I burst out laughing when Seth told me she weighed 8 lbs 2 oz. I've never had such a heavy baby. It was so cute! Obviously, it was love at first sight. We both just adored her.
Well, I've been asked for months now what this little lady's name was going to be and the honest truth was that I didn't have a clue. I knew I wanted it to have more meaning than some random name that I pulled out of the air, however, and I knew I wanted it to be special to us. I remembered that years ago Seth asked if we could name a baby girl after his grandmother if we ever got the chance to have another baby girl. That worked well for me, too because not only does his grandma happen to have a beautiful name, she is also an amazing person who anyone would be lucky to be named after. Grandma Jani is a perfect example of strength, courage, generosity, and spirit. Seth and I both adore her and are so excited to pass on her name.
Also, her middle name is my mother's name- not only because Marie makes such a cute middle name, but again, because I want Janica to know that she came from a long line of strong, beautiful women- on both sides of her family. Last year at a family party we realized that my grandma had turned 90 that year, my mom had turned 60 and I had turned 30. My grandma made the comment that if I were to have one more baby, she would be the next in that line-up. Ironically, of all my mom's sisters, she is by far the most like my grandma, and the same goes for me with my mom. I am my mom's 5th child (and fourth daughter), but its me that is the one that most resembles her, acts like her & takes after her. My mom said that if I had a baby, I would be having a little "me" in a sense. She would be the one to carry on the Lewis quirkiness. My grandmother passed away shortly thereafter, and very soon after that, both my sister and I turned up pregnant. We still believe that grandma sent us these baby girls (she always had a preference for girls). Anyway- I wanted her to be represented in Janica's name also, and I think I covered that with the "Marie" part. So there you go. Janica Marie Wallace.
In printing that, I realize that I've broken one of my own cardinal rules by posting my child's real name on the internet. But I can't have a baby & not tell my friends & family what her NAME is! So, shortly after you read this, I will go back & delete that info & replace it with a fun nickname like the rest of the kids already have.
So far, all we've got is Jani-Banani. So I guess we'll call her Banani??? Hee hee. Well, I'll keep thinking.
Ok, I think that about covers it. Lastly, I need to thank everyone who has been so, so kind to our family these past few weeks. We have had help with the kids, with yardwork, with housework, with meals, and of course, the gifts keep pouring in. I'll have to dress this baby in three new outfits a day to get through all the cute things people have brought over. We live in such an amazing community. I wouldn't trade my home & my life here for anything. I'm so grateful to be able to raise my kids in such a beautiful valley filled with such kind & loving friends & neighbors. Thank you all for everything!!!!
A cool slot canyon we found. Easy hike for the kids (ok & the big fat pregnant lady).
Bryce Canyon. So pretty!
Overlooking the most terrifying stretch of road in the lower 48. Seriously- have any of you ever driven highway 12 between Escalante & Boulder?? Its SO incredibly beautiful, but a terrifying drive. Straight down on both sides!!
The Anasazi Museum & State Park
Seriously- the wierdest museum I've ever been in. The place is FULL of taxidermy animals this guy has caught all over the world. This red striped deer-thing is from Africa & is worth over $60k. Really interesting museum and really, really wierd. 
The mossy cave trail (just outside of Bryce Canyon).
The Petrified Forest State Park. The kids loved it here & we spent over 2 hours on a 1 mile hike because Kenni had to stop & read about all the interesting things that were marked on the trail. They collected a ton of brochures because they swear they are going to do a science project on petrified wood next year. We'll see......
Grandma & Smurfy on the Calf Creek hike. I just loved this picture.
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