I was 12 days past my due date, and none too pleased about it. I had been having some contractions for a week or so, but nothing that ever stuck around or got strong. On Saturday evening I was having some contractions and really praying they would turn into something more. By 11:30 I was pretty sure this was the real thing and not just more braxton hicks. I sent out the mass texts necessary to let everyone know it looked like we'd be meeting Baby Liu soon. I made the arrangements for my brother to come and get Asher at 6:30 am since that's when he wakes up and we didn't see any need to make him get up in the middle of the night. I was in labor with Asher for about 12 hours so I told myself it would be about the same this time. I went ahead and tried to doze in bed between contractions. The contractions were definitely in my back as well this time. So I tried to change positions and get baby girl to move around but didn't have much luck so the back labor continued. I managed to lay down and doze on and off until around 1:30 am. At that point I started to get things ready around the house because it was apparent this was the real thing. At 2:00 am the contractions really started to pick up. I woke Chris up to have him put a fan in Asher's room to drowned out any noise. Then I had him move our coffee table out of the living room so I could labor on the birthing ball and later set the tub up there.
By 3:00 am labor was in full swing and I woke Chris up again telling him it was getting real and time for him to help. I called the midwife and told her my back labor was really bad and getting serious. She told me to get in the shower for some relief and she was heading over. I called my sister and told her it was time and she headed right over as well. The shower definitely helped but I still wasn't able to get rid of the back labor. The midwife and her assistant arrived by 3:45. After watching me during a few contractions my midwife decided we probably didn't have time to set up the birthing tub. It takes about an hour to set the tub up and my midwife didn't think I had that long. Labor was definitely picking up and seemed to be going quicker than it did last time. The midwife and her assistant set everything up in our bedroom. As labor hit the final stretch the midwife really helped me work through the contractions along with the back labor that just wouldn't let up. She was so encouraging with different positions to try and ways to get through it. Once I started pushing it wasn't long at all-maybe 15 minutes. Annalise was born at 5:34 am and laid immediately on my chest. It was the most amazing feeling to have a newborn again just like that. The first thing my midwife said when she saw Annalise was, that's a big baby! She weighed in at 8lbs 4oz 21 inches long. She's quite a bit bigger than her brother and even already has chub! She nursed right away and has continued doing great! I loved having the home birth experience! It was so nice to not have to be in the hospital after she was born and have nurses in and out all the time. We were able to just relax and be in our own home.
Asher woke up about 7am to a new baby sister. He didn't care a whole lot, but gave her a good look over. He now loves to rub her hair and hold her hand. It warms my heart so much seeing them together. Of course, he's 2 so he can get rough at times, but it's clear he thinks she's pretty great!
Annalise is seriously the easiest, sweetest baby! She's so laid back and will sleep in her pack and play for a few hours--which Asher never did. It's so strange to have such a laid back baby after having Asher, who was kind of high maintenance!
We're loving being a family of 4! Our hearts are full to over flowing and we're enjoying the precious days getting to know our new baby girl.
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