And then... came Wren.

I realize it's actually Almost April, but I just had to give little Wren a real introduction. After all that she puts up with from her older siblings, she has earned her own post. So, here's the story. 

About 4 weeks before I was due to have Wren, I started getting some extreme pelvic pain, the kind that made it difficult to put on pants and shoes, or climb the stairs. Getting into the van was really quite amusing and sleep had completely stopped. I was a waddling insomniac. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with SPD. You can look it up if you are really interested but it basically meant my pubic bone was out of line and causing inflammation that was making things really painful and could have lasting effects if I didn't take it easy. So, I tried to take it easy. As easy as a mother of 2, wife of a 3rd year medical student in his surgical rotation, young women's president and Christmas shopper (remember it was 2 weeks before Santa came) could at the time. But, it didn't really happen. So,  about 2 weeks before Wren was due I hobbled in for my appt. and my doctor, knowing how much pain I was in and fearing that I might have some long term damage, offered to induce. But, there was one condition, I had to get an amnio to make sure her lungs were developed (which he and everyone else assured me was 95% likely and that most babies lungs are developed at 38 weeks, it was just protocol.) So, I went in on my birthday (Dec. 30th) with every intention of being induced the next day if the test came back positive. We had everything lined up, babysitting, dinners, we had come to terms with a New year's Eve baby. We were so excited... then the test came back... negative. She wasn't ready... So, I had to wait for another week. I was really sad for a little bit, but it turned out to be better because Jace had a week for Christmas break and was able to help so much and get things ready. 

On January 7th ( the day before Mae's birthday, yeah we might regret that later) I went in to be induced. I hadn't been induced before so I was a little anxious to get started. We dropped the kids off at a friends very early, on the record breaking, coldest day in January and headed to the hospital. Right as we left the house the power on our street went out. Then, the power all along the way to the hospital was out. It was sort of this eery and exciting feeling. We got to the hospital and they started me right away. We were feeling blessed to be in a place with heat and electricity. Once the pitocin started things were progressing pretty well, I decided to get an epidural after a few hours and that was probably the only experience that was bad about the whole thing... Let's just say learning hospital +  new resident practicing on you + deathly fear of needles = a very bad experience, but after that it was smooth sailing. After about 5 or 6 hours I was finally a ten, right as my doctor arrived he said it was time to start pushing. I had actually fallen asleep so I was feeling a little sleepy to push (thank-you epidural) but she ended up finally coming around 1:20 that afternoon. She came out with black hair and beautiful skin. I just got to hold her for about an hour before they came in to clean her off and weigh her. It was so special. I instantly loved her so much and we still think she is pretty great.

Here are some pictures of our little Wren Renae Bullard. 

They were taken 11 days after she was born by my great friend. They couldn't be more perfect. 

 

 Here are some more, from the hospital until now. Can't believe our sweet little Wrenie is 11 weeks!

I need to take more pictures, but we truly love this baby so much around here. She is adorable and fun and starting to really know us. She is making sounds now and smiling. I don't think we could love her more... unless she slept through the night. Then I probably could!