A Day In The Life of Kyla: And Then There Were Four

Two kids... We have two kids.

There's something very grown-up about that and I'm pretty sure I don't fit into that category. I know for a fact that Timo doesn't. It's amazing to me that she's finally here and even more amazing that she was nine days early. Thank God for that!!! I was way beyond the miserable pregnant lady meltdown stage and I know for a fact that I wasn't my usual awesome and amazing self.

My first labor sign came last Wednesday in the way of losing my mucus plug. I was so excited to know that labor was just days away and she would be early. 5 days, lots of false but painful contractions, puking, diarrhea, loss of sleep, heartburn and all over pain later, I finally went into labor.

Contractions actually began Tuesday night but I was so tired I decided to just go to bed. I woke up at 330 feeling gross and having the strongest contractions yet. By 430 I decided this was the start of something and made my dad and husband call in to work while I took a shower and got my last minute things.

We were admitted into the hospital by 620. I was already dilated to a 5 and 80% effaced. Contractions were manageable but painful. My water was popped by 8 and contractions went from manageable to unable to breathe, they were so painful. An epidural was quickly ordered and by 1115, I was happy, able to manage how much pain medicine I received and was ready to

push. I was still able to feel contractions but they were back to being manageable so I could tell when my body was ready to push. We had music in the background, and my mom and Timo at my side and I was ready.

Pushing was a surreal experience and couldn't have been more different than what I experienced with Will. There was just my doctor and a nurse in the room as compared to a million medical personnel with Will and I maybe only pushed for 10 minutes (over an hour with Will). My doctor was cracking jokes and we were all laughing while I was actually pushing. That's my kind of labor!!

Hollyn Ann Van Voorst was born at 1146 on September 14,2011. She was 8lbs 4oz and 21in long. I was amazed at how much she looked like Will. She has big cheeks, long fingers and toes, and very blond hair. Everything about her is perfect.