One Year Ago Today

On Thursday, September 13th, 2007 I (Melissa) woke as usual in the wee hours of the morning. I was unable to go back to sleep and headed for the couch to watch a movie. At 6 a.m. my eyelids were finally getting heavy as Luke woke up and quietly made his way to the office to check his email. Surprisingly Luke had received an email that a vehicle meeting our criteria was available in Dallas. Although I was in my 39th week (of the 3rd due date), we decided to make the road trip because we had been looking for the right vehicle for 2 ½ months. There was really no discussion about going because if for any reason I thought I was in labor we would simply turn around. My birthing class had also made me believe that I would I know when I was in labor. I had been having what I thought were Braxton Hicks contractions since 7 a.m., so I decided to go for a walk before we left, because that usually helped. This time it didn't help and that should have been my first clue that these were not Braxton Hicks. Also before we left, we put Blue in her crate, and discussed whether we should bring the hospital bag, but decided against it. We left at noon and our plan was to buy the vehicle and then to have dinner at the Tacketts (Melissa’s parents). It was going to be a surprise for Tori and Nana (Melissa’s grandmother). We didn't tell anyone we were making the trip besides Brenda (Melissa’s mom). Luke and I talked about the Braxton Hicks contractions a couple of times on the way up, but again I had been told that I would know when I was in labor, and we always ended the conversation with that. So, we arrived at the dealership, and test drove the vehicle. It was when we were signing the paperwork that I started to suspect that this was the real thing. I called my mom, and asked her what labor feels like, and she responded with “Well, (pause) why?”. After getting off the phone, my mom called Franny (Luke's mom) who didn’t know what’s going on, and asked her if she has talked to Luke. My mom called Franny again a little bit later and tells her that Melissa thinks she is labor, but not to head to Austin. We left the dealership in rush hour traffic and were headed to Weatherford. Luke was driving the new vehicle and I was following in the old. As we were leaving I called my insurance company to figure out what I needed to do, and called Tara to take care of Blue who if you remember was in her crate. At this point the contractions were 2 minutes apart, and had been since we left the dealership. I finally called Luke and as he was looking at me in his rear view mirror, he saw me crying and laughing at the same time as I told him it's the real thing. He asked if we had enough time to get to Austin, and kindly I told him NO. Our new plan is to make it to Campbell Hospital in Weatherford. However, while in standstill traffic in Fort Worth I called Luke and tell him that I don't think I should be driving anymore. We decided that we would park my car, but before we could do that I decided that I needed to stop driving ASAP. As Luke and I were talking, he sees Harris Methodist Hospital off to the left. In an “Ah-Ha” moment, we decided that’s where we are going to have our baby. After parking, he wheeled me to the labor unit, where they told me that they don't have a room. Luke and I looked at each other and laughingly said- “no room at the inn”. I don't care as I am just glad to not be driving anymore. I labored in the hospital hallway for some time before they put me in a spare room that I remember being the size of a closet. I personally think the only reason I got a room was either because I was obstructing the hallway with my laboring positions or because they realized that I did have insurance. About that time my mom and Tori arrived. While they stay with me, Luke lets our friends and family know what’s going on. This is when he finally calls his mom and let’s her know to head to Fort Worth. I changed into their gown and got an ultrasound. They begin asking questions like "Have you seen a doctor?" and "Are you taking prenatal vitamins?" They finally decided to admit me when I was 5 cm dilated. After I got to my labor room, my brother and dad arrived, and I remember barely opening my eyes and nodding my head at them to let them know I saw them. Franny also arrived around this time. Later around 9 p.m. I got my epidural and Luke and I decided to take a nap. My dad left with Andrew and Tori to get some sleep. He has been through this 4 times before and wisely knew that the baby was going to be awhile. Around 3 a.m. I begin pushing, and Brenda and Franny had to wait outside anxiously the room. Around 5:15 a.m. they tell me that the baby has dark hair. Thinking that both Luke and I had blonde hair when we were babies, I was starting to get curious about what this baby is going to look like. I didn’t have to wait much longer because at 5:53 a.m. Bailey arrived!