What a surprise it was that Mikayla May decided to join the world on her exact due date, unlike her big brother who was 3 weeks early. This time around, we were ready for action early with bags packed and car seat installed a month in advance. Better safe than sorry, but she just was not ready until the full 40 weeks! I must say I did enjoy having that extra month of work to relax and prepare for her arrival. My company allows maternity leave to start 1 month before the due date, which is so nice.
On the morning of April 20th at 7:30am, I thought my water broke so we all got ourselves ready head to the hospital. Mitch was excited because he knew Mikayla was on the way AND that he would get to spend time with his cousins at Aunt Jenny and Uncle Clint's house. Clint ended up taking the boys to the Diamondbacks stadium for lunch, they roasted marshmallow s'mores and Mitch had the time of his life!
After getting to the hospital, we found out that indeed my water had not broken and that my actual due date was April 21st?!? Although we already had an appointment to come in to get induced at 7:30am on April 21st, they have strict rules and said they could not induce me until that time and that we would just need to return to the hospital then. So, it was a little disappointing to have to leave with just 18 hours left to wait but that was the situation! Mark and I decided to go out to lunch at Kona Grill and at least have a good meal.
It really turned out to be a great day and was so relaxing! At lunch, Mark surprised me with a trip he has been planning and saving for to Las Vegas to see Bruno Mars in concert and stay at the MGM the weekend of August 1st. What was so unbelievable is that I also purchased surprise tickets for his birthday to Bruno Mars performing in Phoenix just a few days before. We really think alike and both had splurged on floor seats! The best part of the gift was the unbelievably sweet card he wrote to me. Since Mitch was already settled in at Uncle Clint and Aunt Jenny's house, we got to settle in at home and wait. It was so quiet in the house without Mitch and Domino, it was kinda weird. We got to watch two movies and just lay on the couch. So nice!
We went to bed around 10:30 and at 1:00am, the contractions started! I started timing them and they became pretty consistent..... and painful, too. We made it to the hospital at 2:30am and by 5:31am Mikayla May was born! When we arrived, I was dilated to 6 so things were moving fast. I got to 7 and they finally got the epidural in. It seemed like it took an eternity to get the epidural and the contractions were coming within a few minutes of each other..... they are killers. Glad I will not have to experience those again. Once it was go time, Mikayla was out in 2 contractions with only about 8 pushes. It happened so fast and was such a different experience than what happened with Mitch. Mom was right there with Mark to see the birth be there to great Mikayla. Dad got to come in after and watch the bath and see her in the delivery room, too.
The big question was..... what color hair would she have!?! Mitch was born with a full head of golden blonde hair that could be styled immediately like a newscaster. Daddy was certain she would have curly dark hair..... and he was right! Mikayla was born with black hair with brown highlights. It looks curly when wet, but it really is straight. She definitely resembles her big brother, but is so unique and adorable with her little girly features.
Something else that was different this time was that Mikayla was immediately given to me to hold and feed for a full hour for what they refer to as the Golden Hour. It was very special and I loved it so. We checked into the recovery room, stayed one additional night and home bound we were. The staff at Mercy Gilbert Hospital were awesome and we had a nice, short and sweet stay.
Clint and Jen brought Mitch in to meet his new baby sister at the hospital. He was so excited and kept saying, "Awww, she is sooooo cute!" Mitch was so happy and proud. It was so incredible to see his excitement and what a wonderful big brother he is! We are so lucky! Mikayla also got to meet her Aunt Jenny, Uncle Clint and Cousins Cameron and Cate. Grandma and Grandpa Montgomery will be here in 2 weeks to meet their new grand-daughter, too!
