Labor and Delivery

March 11 came and went, my due date. I didn't really think I would deliver on the day (because it is so rare) but I was so miserable the thought of going a day over my due date devastated me. I know, I am so dramatic. This I am aware!!!!

If I look miserable, swollen and huge to you... you are RIGHT!!! 

On March 11, I had my doctor's appointment. I still had only dilated 1 cm. I told my doctor, if she wanted to induce me that day, I would be all for it. So, she scheduled me to get induced the next day! 

The next day, Tuesday March 12, I had to call in at 5:00pm and see what time they wanted me to check in at the hospital. So that day, Andrew and I went to see Oz (which was incredible by the way), we ate yummy food and enjoyed the last few moments of a family of two. That day was just so weird knowing when we leave our house that night, we will come back with a BABY. 

So I called at 5:00pm and they told us to come in at 7:00pm. My doctor told me to eat a light dinner so we chose to eat at Panera Bread. I couldn't even really eat I was so nervous and excited.

We checked in to the hospital in room 13. Here we go! No turning back now. It was still so weird because I was having no contractions and felt completely fine! That night they inserted some medicine to soften my cervix. So overnight I had some very mild contractions and slept pretty much through the night.

At 7:00am the next day, my doctor broke my water. I didn't even know that she was doing it because we were busy talking about who knows what! Talk about opening the flood gates!! Fluids everywhere. They then started me on Pitocin. That really started my contractions. I started feeling some pain! My plan was to go as long as I possibly could before I got the epidural. That lasted long.... NOT! Again, I am a baby and very dramatic!! 

So the anesthesiologist came and talked to me about the epidural. I think getting the epidural was the scariest part for me. I didn't want to move or mess up while he was giving it! They made Andrew leave but I am so glad I loved my nurse because she hugged me and got me through it. It wasn't painful at all getting it, it was just the fact that I will not have feeling from the waste down for a while scared me. But I had a peace about it, I really did. Once the epidural kicked in, talk about relief! Talk about relaxation!!!! I was  chillin, hanging out with Andrew, and watching TV while my contractions got stronger and stronger! Didn't even feel a thing. Even took naps throughout the day!

The nurses kept coming in and checking my cervix every few hours. I was dilating very slowly. I really wanted Evelyn to be born on 3-13-13 and I was hopeful all day long. My friends and parents came to visit around 9:00pm. I was only about 6 cm dilated at the time. We enjoyed each other's company and I was still watching my contractions get VERY strong, but I was feeling great!

My support group... THE GROUP. Best friends since forever. Literally.

So around 10:30, my hopes of her coming on 3-13-13 started to fade. My parents left because the nurse and I reaffirmed them that she was most likely going to be born on 3-14 in the early morning around 4:00am. Right after they left, my new nurse (who I LOVED) turned me on my side. She said that it will help open my cervix. UMMM... she was so right. WHY DIDN'T THEY DO THIS TO ME 10 HOURS AGO?!?! After about 30 minutes of being on my side, I started feeling INTENSE pressure. I felt a HUGE urge to just push! I called my nurse in and told her. She checked my cervix and I was 10 cm! I dilated a TON in just 30 minutes. Of course my parents just left!!

She left to get things ready. 15 minutes went by and she still wasn't back. I was in so much pain. Even with the epidural. It wasn't pain necessarily but intense PRESSURE at every contraction. I did everything I could NOT to push. Finally the nurse came in with 8 other nurses and my amazing doctor showed up. They all started getting ready. I was shaking uncontrollably. I was so nervous. All that came to my mind was Psalm 23. I had Andrew read it to me. It brought so much comfort. Andrew prayed for me and then I realized, the time had come. This was it, and I knew it. It was time to meet my daughter. 

So at about 11:35pm, I started pushing. My doctor told me if I push REALLY hard, she could be born on 3-13-13. You guys, I was SO DETERMINED to get her out that I pushed literally so hard I was turning purple (says Andrew). I pushed 10 times, for 13 minutes, and out she came! At 11:48pm on 3-13-13 my angel baby, Evelyn Marie Bocchino, was born. Wow, when they placed her on my chest, Andrew and I both, were balling like babies (no pun intended). It was a euphoria I can't even begin to explain. Holding her and knowing that I carried this precious child for 10 months was finally on my chest. 

NO WORDS to describe this feeling. Absolutely no words...

Exhausted but so happy

MY BABY

My family. So obsessed. So blessed.

She made it y'all. She's here. EVELYN is here. It's crazy think about how much went into making a baby. Here is me in AFRICA about 7 weeks pregnant and me when I was BEACHED WHALE close to 40 weeks. A lot changes! 

In Africa 7 weeks pregnant and in America 39 weeks pregnant. Same headband (not on purpose!).

Thank you Lord for this Angel.

I love you Evelyn. So much it hurts. 

Baby Evelyn: Coming To A Birthing Canal Near You

Okay to start off this post... please watch this video of Rachel Green from the show F-R-I-E-N-D-S. THIS IS ME. Literally, ME!!! HAHAHAHA. This is exactly how I feel!!

I am almost 39 weeks pregnant, which makes me a little over a week away from my due date. I mean, for some reason, that feels like forever. FOREVER. Here's the thing that makes me MAD.... People assumed since I am the size of a beached whale that I was coming early. I believed those lies and convinced myself that I was coming early. I technically still have a chance to "come early" but I just have this feeling little baby Evelyn will be late. Yes folks, call my bet, I am betting she is going to go past March 11. You know what though, that's okay. God is still sovereign. He is still Good and full of Grace.

Here's the thing, I read John 11: 25 - 26 today. It says,

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

We hear this all the time, but really.... HE IS THE LIFE. We LIVE IN HIM AND WE NEVER DIE. He is our hope.  I stopped and prayed today that Evelyn believes in Him. I prayed that she would come to know Jesus at a young age. Not just "know" Jesus, but FOLLOW HIM. Thirst after him. So all this whining and complaining about being HUGE and pregnant faded away when I started to think about heaven. There in heaven, we will truly realize how glorious grace really is, how merciful God really is, and how endless SATISFACTION really is! AMEN!!! This suffering is only temporary!

I went into nesting mode this week. Deep cleaned the house, scrubbed the floors, finished the nursery, set up all her things, washed all her clothes, and packed her hospital bag! MOMMA is READY!!

We were able to buy this BRAND NEW swing thanks to my amazing co-workers and their generosity. So thankful!

Her car seat is ready! Both bases are installed in both our cars. Carol Anne got my the super cute arm cushion (heard it's a life saver) and cute little bug so Evelyn has something to play with in the car! 

Bookshelf coming along! 

Diaper rack ready! 

All of Evelyn's friends ready to play with her!

Bird mobile

Top view of crib

Decor

More Decor

Rocking Chair... I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time in here

Her bag is PACKED and ready to go to the hospital!!!!!

Changing Table

Changing Table

EMB

Mommy will always be watching you Evelyn!!! 

Some books I am currently reading

This Book has proven to be the most helpful. Praying that Evelyn builds her foundations on the truths found in this book.

THE BEST. I can't wait to read this to her.

2/50 bows that I have for her. These are just the two I am taking to the hospital!!

I can't wait to tweet about this tweet baby!!

Floor view 

Please join me in praying for this baby girl. I have been so blessed to have such a healthy pregnancy. She is completely perfect and healthy. Such a blessing. This girl is already so loved. Not just by me or Andrew but by our Heavenly Creator and Father.

I love you Evelyn. Now come and be with me!!! I am flattered you love my body so much, but I promise you will like it better out here (at least I hope so!!!).

Zeta Tau Alpha presents "Peace Be With You"

3 Weeks and 6 Days

If Evelyn decides to come on our due date (which I hear is unlikely), I have 3 weeks and 6 days. That means in 3 weeks and 6 days, our lives will change forever. I will know and love Evelyn for the rest of my and her life (I already do!). I will go from just married to mother.

MOTHER. That word has so much meaning to it. I still can't believe someone will call me mom in just 3 short weeks. Well, she won't be calling me mom for a while since she won't be able to talk right away, but you get what I'm saying!!

I'm thankful for my amazing husband. NEVER in a million years did he think he would have to take a rolling pin and roll my back to relieve my horrible back pain. NEVER did he think he would have to put on my socks for me because there is a watermelon in my stomach. He does it all so selflessly and joyfully. He jokes that I'm his "waddling penguin mama." It's so true though. I am a  waddling penguin mama. Something Andrew is doing that I LOVE is that he is writing a journal for Evelyn. He reads the journal entries to her already. He will write in this journal throughout her childhood and when Evelyn turns 21 he will present the journal to her. It is full of prayers and biblical counseling. It's the most amazing thing.

The nursery is almost ready and the hospital bag is packed. The doctor checked my cervix today and I am only 1/2 centimeter dilated. That kind of killed my hopes of an early baby. I just want Evelyn to be healthy. So if that means she needs to bake for 3 more weeks, then so be it!  I will live! I will endure the fatigue, the swollen fingers, calves, feet, and face, the back pain, and the general state of uncomfortableness. It will all be worth it.

Baby Evelyn. I can't wait to meet you. You will be the CUTEST little thing in the world. I will take care of you. I will love you. I will also tell you about the greatest love ever known... Jesus. I pray you love him and follow him.  I love you sweet girl. See you soon.

-Mommy

Hallelujah, What a Savior

David Platt and Man of Sorrows

Stranger

Stranger by Mandi Mapes

just another day in a beautiful town
where money makes the world go round
caught in a place where no matter what I do
I feel let down
'cause I keep chasing all these funny things
that don't even matter
in the end

this world is not my home
I am a stranger in this country
Jesus in me won't You pour me out
I'm ready to abandon all my shiny things
my family, and this American dream, Lord
come take it all from me
until there's nothing left but You

Lord, open my eyes
that I may see the brevity of my life
may Your Word tear down my sinful heart
and fill me with new desires
by Your Spirit I will live for You
and love You with all my soul
so have Your way in me
and let Your kingdom come

© 2009 Mandi Mapes