Why I Think Painting Pumpkins Is Better Than Carving

I did it last year and I did it again this year. I love painting pumpkins and my kid loves it too. 

If you have young children this is so much easier for them, but if you want to keep up with the old tradition of carving more power to you.

If you want to start a new tradition, keep reading!

Cons of Carving

• Pumpkin guts are gross and messy.

• Cleaning out the pumpkin is a pain in the rear.

• Carving the outside is tricky.

• Carved pumpkins will rot faster.

Pros of Painting

• Painting is an easy clean up.

• There are thousands of easy references on Pinterest.

• It is so easy for kids, they can just go to town!

• Your finished pieces will last longer.

What You'll Need

You've decided my idea, yay! You've "pinned" a bunch of ideas on characters or designs on what you can do. So what supplies do you need to stock up on at the store?

I used this small one for the pokeball

• Pumpkins (white is slightly easier but you can use orange)
• Assorted Paint Brushes or Sponges
• Acrylic Paint (Any colors to make your idea come to life)
• Newspaper
• Felt, Google Eyes, Scissors, Hot Glue Gun (Assorted items depending on your design)

Getting Started

Great you've got an idea, the kids have an idea, you've got supplies. So first you set up your station, a kitchen table or fold up table. 

Cover what ever station you've decided on in the newspaper or scrap paper. Use a paper plate as your paint palette.

If the kids are just painting as they go they can get started right away and go crazy. 

Yellow Paint was too thin.
(You also do not need to
paint the pumpkin white first)

If you have a specific idea in mind that requires the pumpkin to be colored in a specific color, use a sponge brush to completely cover the pumpkin. 

You will need to do a few layers. Make sure the paint is thick because if it is too thin it will peel off your first layer underneath.

Next Step

If you're doing characters like I did you need to completely wait for your base color to dry before you start working on the face.

My daughter Lily in the background.

Last year when I did Poppy from Trolls I hot glued googly eyes and felt for her nose and ears. 

Stick on diamonds for her cheeks and pipe cleaners for her eyelashes. 

Permanent marker for her eyebrows and mouth.

A headband, tulle, and ribbon for her hair.

This year I mainly used felt and paint for Pikachu. I wasn't yet confident in my steady hand skills to do the eyes or cheeks. 

I recommend using child cutting scissors when cutting the felt, they were easier to maneuver around curves. My regular scissors took forever until I got my daughters out.

If You're Just Using Paint

I made so many mistakes when I attempted the pokeball, I do not have steady hands so my lines were all wobbly.

But cool thing about acrylic paint is you just wait a little bit for it to dry, you can go over it again and fix your mistakes.

This is where your assorted paint brushes will come in handy. You'll need different shapes and sizes to get the details just right.

The end result was the first picture up at the top and it looked way better completed.

Our Other Completed Works

You have to pat the spots on Sully with a
sponge brush to get the different
shades and dimensions

I was finally confident at this point with my skills. Especially when I saw how easy it was to fix mistakes. So I went all in with Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc. 

My daughter Lily is 5 but she did help me with the projects I did by painting them with the all over color.

And she was so happy with our end result when we were done.

She completed the pumpkin on the right by herself. (I helped minimally.) 

Glitter paint is really fun!

We all had a ton of fun working on these together. I know next year we'll be doing it again with her little brother right next to us.

Will you be painting pumpkins next year?

I Chose To Have A C-Section

I Didn't Want To Go Through The Same Thing Again

In the end I could've made a different choice but because of my first birth experience me and my doctor made the plan for me to have a C-Section. 

If you didn't read my post about being induced I'll recap the ending. My daughter was a freaking monster coming out of me and torn me open from vag to ass. Causing a 4th degree tear and a horrible recovery.

Before I left the hospital my doc came in and let me know for my second pregnancy I should probably have a c-section. Considering that second babies can be bigger than firsts and there's a good chance I'll rip like that again.

At first I thought well that's cool, the baby can take a sweet emergency exit and I won't have to do so much work.

I was pretty dumb.

When Baby #2 Happened

I didn't think much more about it until 4 years later when I became pregnant again. Then I kind of started freaking out. I searched "what it's like to have a c-section" and "is recovery of a c-section and 4th degree tear similar." Probably almost every night.

I read other mother's experiences but you have to feel it to know. 

I hated being pregnant the second time around as much as I hated it the first time. I loved the pretty parts don't get me wrong. The flutters, the feeling the baby for the first time. But other than that I was still miserable.

By 35 1/2 weeks I wanted it to be over. 

Until I thought it was.

My First Hospital Visit

I hate being that kind of person. The kind of person that runs to the hospital every time they think something is wrong or thinks they're in labor.

I hate it even more when the hospital staff treats me like I'm that person.

At my 35 week check up I was feeling a little uncomfortable down there (I had assumed it was his head pushing down) and I noticed that my urine was dark. (They check urine every week for protein) Come to find out I had blood in my urine. They just assumed that I had a bladder infection or a UTI.

They call in antibiotics and send us on our way. 

I stop briefly Kohl's with my mom while she picks out clothes. I was sitting most of the time by the fitting room getting increasingly more uncomfortable. I did not feel pain at all up to this point. Then my mom had to stop at Wal-Mart.

I did not even get out of the car and while I was waiting it was getting increasingly more painful coming and going. Not in an evenly matter so I wasn't concerned yet. My back started spazzing then and I called the nurse at my OB just in case the UTI would affect me getting contractions.

Like they always say unless they are coming at regular intervals and increasing in pain they are not true labor. Also yes, the UTI could irritate my uterus and cause contractions so if they were regular to go to the hospital.

So yeah when my mom finally came out and I was crying in pain I made her take me to the hospital. They were coming regularly at that point.

I Wanted to Die

I have never in my life felt anything that painful. Not even birth. Not even the 4th degree tear or c-section recovery.

So when I walk in and get nothing but people acting like I'm over-exaggerating, it took everything in my body not to freak the fuck out.

Even now I'm getting angry thinking about it because I do not have a low pain threshold, at all. Once you've given birth all other pain is a tickle. 

The nurse came in and told me that the doctor said that I shouldn't have gone shopping, that I should've went straight home to get on the antibiotics.

What. The. Fuck.

If I wasn't in so much pain I would of said something, but it was hard enough as it was to even concentrate.

They flushed me with an IV, I had to go pee a lot. They jump started me with antibiotics and ran a culture on my urine, the results wouldn't be ready until the next day.

Oh, and I was having contractions too. With this other kind of awful pain.

It Wasn't a UTI😡

Went in to see the nurse practitioner at my OB's office a few days later and my culture results were in.

I was negative for a UTI.

I was passing kidney stones at the hospital.

Kidney stones which have been compared to birth, if not worse.

Awful first experience but I did learn something. I was not ready to have the baby, yet. I wanted him to stay in there at least until my scheduled C-Section date.

Well that didn't happen.

My Second Hospital Visit

Remember how I said I hate being that person? God I was so embarrassed to be back in that hospital two weeks later.

But my intuition was right. Dead right.

I had felt funny the night before, anxious and my heart was racing. I couldn't breathe right. I didn't feel right.

Something in me thought I should go to my mother's the next day to use her at home blood pressure machine. 

Lo and behold BP 140/90.

The exact point of when you should go to the hospital. I really didn't want to but I called the on-call doctor. She told me what I knew already, to come in.

I go in and my BP was getting increasingly worse, even with me laying down and trying to sleep. My beautiful nurse that night was so awesome. So supportive and understanding. So different from my first visit.

I still was not expecting it when she came in and said we were doing the C-Section tonight. 

My husband dropped off our daughter with my mom and raced to the hospital. He looked so cute in them scrubs. Mmmm.

Anyway, they wheeled me in the surgery room. Poked me in the back. A-fucking-lot. He kept missing the spot. I was so irritated, it hurt like a bitch but I had to try to relax. Every time I tensed he had to restart.

The anesthesia finally gets done, my lower half goes numb. They lay me down and pin my arms on both sides like I'm freaking Jesus on the cross.

They have my husband come back in the room, and then the cutting starts.

I tried not to look. 

There's this blue curtain that separates you from looking. But the overhead light causes a very good reflection of what's going on on the other side.

And it was nasty. The blood.

And I could feel the tugging and pulling.

So I started to get nauseous and like I was going to throw up and they gave me some meds and it went away immediately. I was still in a lot of pain even with the anesthesia so then they gave me morphine.

And then I was feeling pretty damn good not gonna lie. Maybe even a little buzzed.

Then it's all done and I hear his beautiful cry and they hold him over the curtain to show him to me like he's bloody Simba.

The Recovery

It was worse, it was way worse than a 4th degree. I could still feel the burning pain of my incision with the morphine still in me, not even 15 minutes later. 

I couldn't move from my bed until 16 hours later.  I tried and almost passed out from the pain. I couldn't adjust in my bed without help, I couldn't laugh, I couldn't cry or sneeze. Without wanting to cry.

When we got home I couldn't sleep, not just because we had a newborn, but because I had to try to sleep in a recliner. Slightly reclined. I couldn't sleep in my bed because my insides would feel like they were sloshing around and cause me serious pain. Riding in a car wasn't fun.

I couldn't shit because of the meds and it hurt too much when I tried because you have to use abdominal muscles to push. And my stomach had just been cut open.

So then I had constipation pain.

It just kept getting better.

Because I couldn't sleep for 5 days. I got really hysterical. I'm sure postpartum had something to do with it too but mainly lack of sleep.

Crying in pain. Laughing. Crying. Not Breathing. Crying. Laughing.

I thought it would never end.

The One Benefit

Even though the actual recovery pain was worse. The one and only benefit to a c-section was that it didn't last long. By two weeks I was feeling completely fine and mobile and sleeping much better.

The 4th degree tear took a whole 6 weeks of feeling like crap.

In Conclusion

Because I was 37 weeks I probably could of still tried to give birth naturally and be induced but because I wanted my tubes tied I still chose to have a C-Section that night. 

In the end it's anyone's decision. Having a C-Section scared me but I was also scared of having my baby get stuck again. And in the end that wouldn't of happened because my baby was only 7 pounds.

Did you choose to have a C-Section? Or did you have to?

5 Things You Can Get For Free (Or Low Cost) When You're Expecting

It's crazy how many free or low cost things you can get as an expecting or current parent. I wish I had known about all these amazing deals when I was pregnant the first time around. 

Having a kid is crazy expensive. Even if you are considered low-income and can get state help like WIC or Food Stamps. I could not get that kind of help this time around so I made it my mission to find anything I could get a deal on and exploit the hell out of it.

1. Registries:

Even though this was my second kid, I went a little crazy on the registries. Especially since I had no intention of having another baby shower. 

But it doesn't matter because you can get a FREE welcome kit at every single place you register at.

• Target
• Buy Buy Baby
• Wal-Mart
• Amazon - (conditions:  only if you are a PRIME member and purchase one item from your registry)

Each welcome kit comes with TONS of free samples, coupons, and regular priced items. 

The best one by far was the Amazon Welcome Box. Of course the one downside is being a Prime Member and having to purchase an item from the registry. It is well worth purchasing an item you needed anyway though.

What I received in the Amazon Prime Box

• Huggies Diapers
• Sample Pampers Wipes
• One Dr. Brown Bottle
• One 3-6 Month Onesie
• One Baby Blanket
• 2 Pack Nuk Pacifier
• Lysol Disinfectant Wipes
• Coupons
• Burts and Bees Travel Size Shampoo
• Dove Travel Size Shampoo
• Samples of Diaper Rash Cream

I was so pumped when I got my box. You may get different items from what I received, I think they take a peek at your registry to pick out things suited for you.

2. Breast Pump

What some expecting mom's don't know is that they don't even need to register for a breast pump anymore. 

Most commercial health plan's will pay up to a 100% of your breast pump with little or no co-pay on your part. 

I was silly the first time around and didn't even consider to look into this but I am so glad I did this time. 

There was a medical supply company in the hospital that delivered a Medela Double Electric Breast Pump up to my room before I was packed up and ready to go. It was incredibly easy!

3. Similac Strong Mom's Reward Program

If you don't plan on breastfeeding or even if you do sign up for this program! It is extremely easy and 100% free. 

You'll receive a big box of free samples of all of their best selling formula's and reoccurring coupons in the mail. 

Since I signed up two months ago I've received two $15 off coupons and eight $5 off coupons. Formula is daaang expensive, don't hesitate when you could be saving money!

4. Enfamil Family Beginnings.

Similar to the program above you get free samples in the mail and reoccurring coupons. 

I have yet to receive a $15 dollar off coupon but I do get $5 dollar off coupons frequently. 

Even if you're not sure of which formula to use, I would still sign up for both of these programs while you're still expecting as it may take a little bit of time to receive your samples. 

5. Wal-Mart Baby Box

I had no idea this even existed until recently! For the low cost of only $5 dollars per box for shipping and handling, you'll get a home delivery of useful products and helpful tips.

For each stage of life: Pre-Natal, Newborn, and Toddler you'll receive your subscription box in the mail. Each box is fill with samples according to your baby's life stages. 

You should receive your first Walmart Baby Box within two weeks. You'll automatically receive your next box when your baby enters their next life stage. Don't worry you won't be charged until the box is processed for shipment. 

You can always cancel the subscription if you find it is not for you. It definitely wouldn't hurt to give one a try though! 

I only signed up for this product last week so I have not received my baby box yet. Stay tuned!

Save Yourself Some Money

I think we can all agree having a kid is expensive. Get the most you can out of companies willing to help you out! Whatever you don't use you can give to another expecting or current parent that needs it.

Did you sign up for anything today?

How My Two Month Old Is Sleep Trained Already

Routine, Routine, Routine

I remember scrolling through pages of articles and bulletins, blogs and the birth club, trying to remember how I had gotten my first child to sleep through the night so early. I thought there was some kind of trick I had done the first time that I was not doing this time. 

All of the information I had gathered pretty much told me the same thing every time. Consistency. 

It sounds easy. It's really not when you're adjusting at first, it takes you a minute to get your sea legs and develop a routine. 

I'm not talking about a scheduled daily plan but just something that your family does or that you do with your baby individually before quiet time. 

I say "quiet time" instead of bedtime because they have not yet learned the skill of knowing when bedtime is. It really is an actual skill for them to learn at this age. 

The difference between night and day. Lights and play equal awake, dark and quiet mean sleep. 

Don't Give Up

Those first few months will be quite rough but the important thing is to not give up and to continue doing a routine even if it seems like it is not helping. 

Trust me, it is. I thought I was not making a dent in sleep training progress for my son when my daughter had learned it so quickly.

Lily, my eldest had started sleeping mainly through the night (save for one feeding) at one month old. My mom had told me I was so lucky I had a good sleeper for my first child which probably meant I would have a horrible one for my second. She was not wrong, at first. 

Granted Connor had more issues than Lily did. He had a milk protein allergy that made it hard for him to stay asleep for longer periods of time. 

He was also extremely noisy when he did sleep so I would constantly wake up to all of his grunts and noises thinking he was waking up and he really wasn't. So I'd touch him and it would disturb him even more.

Eventually it had gotten so bad that I was not sleeping at all and getting hysterical at times. That's when I moved him into his crib in his room. I used an audio monitor and kept the volume low so I only heard him when he was truly crying. It made me feel horrible and selfish. 

Now after several weeks of consistent night time sleep schedule I know it was the best decision I had made, for both of us.

Set an Actual Bed Time

I am not saying you have to put your baby in his own room to sleep train him. Not at all. Putting my baby in his own room at the same time every night though, gave him a consistent routine of understanding that his crib meant sleep. 

It's better to do this around the same time every night and when your baby is not completely asleep. If they're anything like mine they won't like being put down after being in your arms. 

Don't Pick Them Up Right Away

If that is the case and they start to cry after putting them down for the night wait a little bit before picking them back up. 

I am not saying let them "Cry it out." They are definitely too young at one or two months old for that sleep training method. 

See if you can calm them back to sleep without picking them up by giving them a pacifier, swaddling them, and/or very gently rubbing their tummy in a quick motion to simulate vibration. 

You're comforting your baby with your presence and helping them to understand that you don't need to hold them for them to feel safe. 

It will not work every time, it might not work at all. If your baby cannot be soothed after a few minutes pick them up again and rock them back to sleepiness. Rinse and repeat. 

Be Flexible For Yourself

It will be frustrating and hard. You will cry because you just want it to work, just once. And eventually it will. 

It is completely fine to rock your baby occasionally into complete sleep so you can rest. You need to stay sane. For the majority of the time though, try to put them to bed sleepy but awake. 

It is also completely fine if it seems like for the 100th time your baby cries after putting him down, you close the door and let them cry. 

Just because you need a minute. You are not a bad mom if you need a moment to yourself. 

Give yourself that moment. Remember it'll be worth it in the end, it just takes time. 

After your minute go back in and try again. A baby might just need to cry his frustrations out. Again, do not let them cry for long. 

I started trying this about a month after Connor was born. Now at two months he is asleep by about 8 p.m., wakes up for one nightly feeding at 5 a.m. goes back to sleep and awake for good at 8 a.m. It has been pretty consistent for the last 3 weeks. 

What I Shouldn't Have Done

I do realize now the mistakes I had made in the first month that made sleep training take longer. 

One, I was trying to get him sleepy and ready for bed while I was still watching TV. That wasn't quiet enough for him to realize it was bed time. 

Two, I wasn't doing it around the same time every night. It wasn't helping him adjust his internal clock because there was no consistency. 

And lastly, I was rocking him until he was completely asleep. He could not learn how to soothe himself. 

In Conclusion

There will be drawbacks when baby's have their growth spurts but keep up with the same routine every night around the same time. 

Something that signals baby it's time for bed. A bath, changing them into pajamas, reading a book, singing softly, rocking, around the same time every night. And then finally put them into bed sleepy. 

Every baby is different, it may take some longer or shorter periods of time to learn this skill. Try to be patient. 

Ultimately it is your decision on how to sleep train your child. If this doesn't work for you, if you'd rather rock your baby to sleep every night because that works for you, then go ahead. 

Your baby, your rules. My experience is not the only experience. But if it worked for me it may work for you :)

How did you put your baby to bed every night?

My Top 5 Favorite Halloween Movies

I love scary movies. I love them all year round. Horror movies for me is a way to get that little shot of adrenaline, a little taste of fear without actually leaving my house. I don't know why but it makes me feel like I'm being risky. Because I know that the movie I'm about to watch is going to bring on my anxiety, make my chest tight, make my heart race. But I do it anyway. 

Does that make my life a little sad? That scary movies at home are one of the ways I get a little variety and excitement in my life? Well, I don't think so. I love my life. I love my routine of doing almost the same thing everyday with my kids.

Some days though, when I'm feeling an itch to get a little jumpy, I force my husband to watch a scary movie with me. Now you won't find many, if at all, gory movies on my top 5 favorite Halloween films. Why? Because I want suspension, I want anxiety, I want to feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin. And movies like Saw, Final Destination, or Wrong Turn (awful movie) just either gross me out or make me laugh. 

My top 5 Horror Movies:

1. The Quiet Place

Starring Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic America. Barely any dialogue in the film, but to me that only added to the anxiety when the extremely terrifying alien invaders come running at any noise to tear into the source it came from. These parents with young children try to survive while making as minimal noise as possible, the suspense keeps you on your toes. Especially when an unexpected pregnancy comes into play. A parents worst nightmare.

2. Annabelle: Creation

Annabelle Creation is the fourth movie in The Conjuring universe even though it is set to occur before all the previous movies. (Except for The Nun which I have not seen yet.) I honestly love the whole franchise but if I had to pick a favorite one so far it would be this one. A secretive couple with a tragic past, a nun, and a bunch of orphans. One of said orphans can barely move around on her own and it has you on the edge of your seat as she struggles to get away from the evil entity living in the doll.

3. The Grudge

Even just looking at this photo I had to turn on the lights, it just gives me the heebie-jeebies. I have a thing against creepy dead girls crawling on the floor. Even though the lines are cheesy, it still gets me every time. You're constantly left with this what the hell is going on feeling as the story line jumps around a little bit. And yet you still jump when something scary happens. Scarier than this version is the original 2002 Japanese version Ju-on: The Grudge. If you're willing to read subtitles. 

 4. Mama

Starring Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who are both insanely talented actors in themselves. Two sisters are rescued by their uncle after being lost in the woods for years all alone. Or were they? Something was helping them survive. And "Mama" does not like sharing her girls with the new family. She wants to make the girls hers and only hers, forever. The noises she makes will leave you with unnerving chills down your spine. You won't hear the word mama the same way again.

5. The Boy

Ok, so maybe I have a thing against dolls too. The film starts off as just odd when a hired nanny finds out she was hired to take care of a doll. Of course she treats it as a joke at first, and the doll retaliates. The nanny quickly starts to take him more seriously and treats him as if he were a living boy despite his creepy nature. This movie surprised me though, a very secretive plot twist. Which is why it made it to my list. If I do not see it coming, then a film has succeeded in getting my attention.

It was incredibly difficult to pick out 5 films out of all the horror movies I've seen. I love the classics too I really do, but with the technology we have now, it is way easier to get me scared if it is a recent release. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I had fun making it! Thanks for reading :)

What is your favorite Horror Film?

[ASMR] Makeup Artist Roleplay (Soft Spoken)

My personal favorite ASMR video. If you do not know what ASMR is read my post below :)

ASMR: It Could Help You Sleep

How ASMR Has Helped My Insomnia

As parents we are constantly exhausted. As human beings in general, we are constantly exhausted. Whether you're a stay at home parent or a person that just works your ass off everyday. You might be like me. Counting down the hours till it's time for you to get the chance to just relax. My time of day when I know I can just lay in bed with minimal interruptions is 8 o'clock. But do you think I instantly go to sleep at that time? God no.

I discovered ASMR on YouTube one day. By complete accident even though it was exactly what I was looking for and I just didn't know it. I didn't even know it was a thing. I just knew that sometimes when I was listening to the way a person talked, maybe in an accent or just gentle monotone, I would start getting heavy and sleepy. So I put in the search bar "Voices that make you sleepy." And found ASMR artists. That is literally what they're called.

So what is ASMR? ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It is an experience characterized by a static-like or tingling sensation on the skin that sometimes begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine. It can be described as giving you a low-grade euphoria. The kind of feeling in my experience when your hair is being played with. That relaxing, calming sensation of just getting heavy and about to fall asleep.

ASMR artists can help you feel this way with different "triggers." Whether it is gentle tapping, make up brushes on the microphone, hand movements over the camera for "personal attention," clipping noises. It is endless on what could be your trigger. 

One of my obvious triggers is a soft spoken voice and YouTuber's are very dedicated with making every single possible role play out there to help you sleep. Doctor check up, make-up artist, sleep clinic, and many many more. My personal favorites are the make-up consultation videos. They set up the camera to make it look like they are giving YOU the make over and it's very relaxing.

I have subscribed to a handful of ASMR artists that I have felt I get the most tingles from. It is all based on my experience though and what videos best cater to my triggers. 

If you're having a hard time shutting your mind off, give these channels a try:

• Gentle Whispering ASMR
• TingTing ASMR
• Latte ASMR
• WhispersRed ASMR
• Articulate Design ASMR

I've chosen these channels specifically because each one has a unique accent and I am a sucker for accents :) I'll also post a link to my personal favorite ASMR video below.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1124&v=IMhIjeXFZGM

Did you give ASMR a try?

I Chose To Be Induced

It's not too often you hear about natural labor/birth anymore. I personally never got to experience it. I hear it is less painful than being induced. Good for those people. But unless someone actually asks for your advice or opinion, don't offer it. 

As a mother, especially a first time mother, birth is extremely scary. And it is completely unnecessary to shame a mother on how she decides to give birth. If a person is related, a friend, an in-law, your opinion does not need to be given. Unless you are ASKED. How a mother should give birth is between her, her partner, and her doctor.

I was induced at 39 weeks because I chose to. There was no medically inclined reason. I just felt it was time and honestly I just wanted to be done. And I don't regret it one bit. Because had I not gotten induced and had I waited one more week or waited to go into labor naturally, my daughter would have died. 

I had a horrible first pregnancy. Constant all day vomiting and nausea. Not to mention the lovely little PUPPPs rash that came on at 25 weeks. For those that don't know what PUPPPs is, it is an itchy bumpy rash that start's in stretch marks in your abdomen and quickly spreads to other parts of your body. I had it from my knees to my upper back. It was torture. I barely slept maybe two hours a night, dragging myself to the bathtub just to get a few seconds of relief from the constant itch.

So when my doctor said I could get induced at 39 weeks I freaking jumped on it. 

From what I remember from that day (given it was 5 years ago) I had to be at the hospital at 7 a.m. I was checked in and taken straight to a delivery room. I was administered an IV and had two belts pulled over my belly, one that would monitor the baby's heart beat and another that would track my contractions. I'm sure it's uncomfortable with normal pregnancies but it was extremely bad for me with the rash I had. 

Luckily I had a "favorable cervix" already so they started me on the Pitocin right away. The contractions were manageable at first. I did get an epidural at 4 centimeters at the encouragement of the technician, just in case she wouldn't be able to come before it was too late to get it. I kinda feel like I was pressured early to get it. People say getting the needle down your back for an epidural is worse than the contractions or the pushing. Based on my experience I disagree. 

It took 12 hours of contractions and 28 minutes of pushing to give birth to my daughter. I probably could've started pushing sooner but because the nurses were switching shifts soon, my nurse at the time really didn't want to deliver my baby. I told her I felt like it was time to start pushing. She asked me if I was absolutely sure. Ok, I'm a first time mom so the way she was asking me made me feel unsure of myself. I have never been through labor before, how was I supposed to know? And because I hesitated she said that it wasn't time and that I would know for sure when it was time. That was a crock of shit.

My next nurse that came in after the shift switch literally walked in, introduced herself, took a look at my vitals and chart, and said let's start pushing. This was maybe an hour after I had told the previous nurse if I could start pushing originally, if that.

So I started pushing at 7 p.m. I honestly don't remember if my OBGYN was there when I started pushing. I had not even seen the guy all day. My mom was on my right side holding one leg up, my husband on the other. I don't think he planned to be helping as much as he did. I think he thought he was going to be closer to my head the whole time. Let's all laugh together at that idea.

Twenty-Eight minutes. Twenty-eight minutes that just flew by. I can honestly say I don't even remember the pain of pushing. I do remember with such clarity that I was pissed off at my mother. Because she was screaming at me to push harder. I didn't realize at the time that she was screaming out of panic. 

My mother always had a way of sounding irritated when she was actually scared. I didn't understand that at the time. So I was pissed at my mom for thinking I wasn't pushing with every strength I had. How dare she think I wasn't pushing as hard as I could. I didn't even realize that the doctor eventually had to cut me. Because my daughter couldn't breathe.

My husband cut the umbilical cord, something he said he wasn't going to do but as he has said about it "When the doctor tells you with that voice to do something you don't ask questions you just do it." After he was done with that, there were no screams. It didn't even register with me at first, that she hadn't made a sound yet. They did place her on my belly for a quick second I have no idea why I didn't have my eyes open yet and it happened very quickly. I remember feeling her squirm like a little octopus on my stomach. So it still didn't register with me that it mattered that she hadn't cried yet.

I felt one awful horrifying second as it finally dawned on me that she might not be ok. And then she screamed. But that second was terrifying and I thought of so many things in that one second. Did I just go through 9 months of this horrible pregnancy and destroy my body to not get the sweet sweet daughter I had always wanted? But she screamed and she was fine.

My mom later described to me what she had looked like coming out of me. My daughter was gray. Mom made the joke later on that she thought my husband was going to walk out of the room because the baby didn't look Caucasian. Har Har Mom.

When the nurses took my daughter to the baby warmer and sucked out the gunk out of her nose and lungs, my mom said it was like the Wizard of Oz, the horse of a different color when she just started to pink up and finally breathe. 

And the little stinker was 9 pounds. I am 5"2 and before my first pregnancy I was pretty petite and my little angel was a monster coming out of me. The freaking doctor had said two things apparently, "Woah big baby, big baby" and "That's a blow out." Thank you Dr. McDickhead for that. 

My baby had gotten stuck and stopped breathing. I had to have I think 3 layers of stitching and what was called a 4th degree tear. My doctor later on told me that if I had waited another week, if she had gotten any bigger, she very well could of died.

You wanna know the first thing I was told after I had said I wanted to get induced? That I should wait another week because it was better for the baby. Yup. 

Well, my instinct and a feeling in my gut told me otherwise. Was I awfully uncomfortable? Yes and it did play a part in my decision. But I also felt that it was TIME and I was ready. We are not always going to make the right decisions when it comes to parenting, there definitely will be times when we make mistakes. But I am incredibly glad that I made the decision that was best for me and ultimately became the best decision for my daughter to live. 

Did you choose to be induced and why?