Muss Matters: Elizabeth Marie

Saturday, Dec. 1st started like most mornings. I woke up WAY before everyone else and laid in bed trying to tell myself to go back to sleep. After I had been awake for a while I began to notice I was having contractions. I downloaded a contraction tracker app for my phone and started keeping track. I was having contractions pretty regularly, but probably every 10 min or so. So, I quit tracking and decided I probably wasn't in labor.

Everyone finally woke up and Clint ran Lane to the Doctor for a flu shot - he was the last Musslewhite to get his in preparation for the baby. When the boys got home we all decided to have a work day at our house. I painted in the dining room and family room while Clint worked on other things. I was a little irritable, contractions we sporadic and at one point I think I may have snapped at Clint. He was obviously irritated with me and I said give me a break I'm probably in labor. He looked at me like I was crazy and we both went back to work like nothing happened. Around 3 or 4 pm we stopped for lunch, we had eaten a late breakfast. We ate and as I sat and ate my contractions became more consistent and regular. My Dad said I had better get to the hospital, Marlee came really fast, but I wanted to take a shower to get the paint off my legs. I could just see myself in labor with dark paint all over my legs. My Mom said she would help me get the paint off my legs so I could get to the hospital asap. I agreed, but worried that I would get to the hospital and they would send me home. About 5 pm we stopped as we were leaving for the hospital for our last picture as a family of 4.

When we got to the hospital and in a room they examined me and said I was a 6 or 7!!! I was so surprised, my contractions still weren't consistent and weren't nearly as painful as they were with Marlee. Now that I think about it, it was probably because I was busy all day and didn't sit and think about how much pain I was in. We were all smiles waiting to meet our new baby girl or boy!

I had Miss Elizabeth Marie Musslewhite at 9:07 pm. We were so surprised to meet our GIRL. I was sure she was a boy. We named our sweet girl after her Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandmother. Two women who I hope she will emulate as she grows. My Grandmother had the most wonderful, fun and happy personality - she was the life of the party and my Great Grandmother was such a hardworker who never stopped, she could do anything she set her mind to - seriously.

Elizabeth weighed in at 7 pounds 6 ounces, the smallest of our babies.

She was absolutely perfect! I think because we didn't know Elizabeth's sex I felt like I had to examine her more closely than I did Lane and Marlee when they were born. She checked out perfectly!

Clint is one proud Daddy. He is officially outnumbered!!

Lane was hilarious! He was so excited that the baby was "finally out". He came in before we delivered Elizabeth and asked if the baby was crawling out. I said yes, not knowing where he thought the baby was crawling from and he said it's crawling out of your mouth right? "You're going to have to open your mouth really wide". I just about died laughing. It was so precious. Clint got it all on video, I'll post it when he gets it transferred for me.