Meet Mercy Jean

It’s been a little over a week now since we first got to meet Mercy Jean Leek!

Things have been very different this time around, starting with labor. Aaaaaaand this time I made it a whole extra two weeks of pregnancy. (By the way, women who make it to 40+ weeks of pregnancy: you the real MVP).

Two Fridays ago, Derek had off of work because of extra time he worked while on a business trip, so we decided to take Eli to the airport observation decks to look at planes. We had the best time! He saw planes, a helicopter, buses, and trucks–basically everything he loves minus rocks (and there were probably rocks there too).

While we were there, I started having what I thought were contractions. They were just a little bit uncomfortable, lasted about a minute, and came every 5-7 minutes. (TMI alert) I thought I might also be leaking some fluid, so I called the doctor.

The first thing the doctor said to me was, “I can’t believe you’re still pregnant!” Then she told me to call back if the contractions got worse or if I had a gush of fluid. We went along with the day, ate lunch at Chick-fil-A, came home so Eli could take a nap, and then my parents came over to watch Eli because Derek and I had a date planned. And good thing we went on the date–we might not have another one for 18 years! (Just kidding. I’m looking at you, potential baby-sitter.)

Derek and I ate at the Angus Barn, so now I can say I’ve been in labor there :). My contractions continued and were getting more uncomfortable, so after we finished dinner (priorities!), I called the doctor again. She said to come on in.

We got to triage around 7:45 and were moved to a room around 9:30. I was 3 cm when we got there and I kind of thought they might send us home, but since I had a pretty quick delivery with Elias and I needed antibiotics for group b strep, they went ahead and admitted us.

I got an epidural sometime after getting into the delivery room and then just waited in sweet relief until I got to 10 cm and started pushing. Or almost. The doctor came in a little after 2 am and broke my water when I was 9.5 cm dilated, and then I started feeling contractions again. The doctor and nurse were out of the room and I told Derek I was ready to push. We called the nurse and she came in and got things ready and had me do a couple of “practice” pushes and we could see Mercy’s head! The doctor, thankfully, came in a few minutes later and after 5-6 pushes, Mercy Jean was born at 2:25 am.

Mercy came out wide-eyed and ready to eat. She was wide awake until about 5:30 that morning. She’s been doing great with nursing and gaining weight, and we’re working on the whole “sleeping-at-night” thing.

Overall, compared to our adjustment to having Elias, this time has been way easier. Mercy is very easy-going (Elias was too), and we’re getting used to being a family of four.

We’re so thankful for all the congratulations, meals, and friends and family checking up on us. You guys are the best!