Brandi has had a few issues the last few weeks, basically, Elsa was way low and uncomfortable. Brandi had been in and hooked up so she could see her contractions. She stopped working and putting her feet up helped a lot. I thought Elsa would wait for Aunt Barbie. Elsa's due date was June 9th, Andre's and my wedding anniversary, great day for Elsa to come. I decided to fly out my last day of school, Friday, June 6th. The cost of flying out was the same on the morning of the 7th which would have given me a little more time to pack after my last week of school. I thought that she might come that night and I'd shoot myself in the foot for not rushing out so after work would do. I'm packing my class and moving at the end of this school year so it's complete chaos at the end of the year this year. Needless to say, none of that matters anymore. I'm still so glad to be flying out ASAP because I need to get my lips on this little pumpkin.
Just when I thought things had calmed, Brandi went a week much more comfortable after the pain she experienced since she was off her feet. I don't even remember if I called her or she called me, I'm guessing I called her since I feel like I've been stalking her for about a month anticipating this moment. She said she was experiencing menstrual cramps. I assured her she wasn't about to menstruate, she was contracting. This was Thursday, May 29th after I got out of school. I asked if she had been timing them, she said she thought they were about 20 minutes apart. She was worried to "cry wolf" but she also knew her mom popped her and her brother out quick so she didn't want that to happen either. I suggested she call her doctor and let her know, knowing her dr would be able to ease her and guide her through whatever process she wanted. I also let her know if it was "game on" she shouldn't be able to talk to me through her contractions in attempt to calm her. I also let her know that once they got strong she may want the epidural and sometimes it takes a while so it doesn't hurt to get to the hospital. She had been a decent amount dilated and effaced for a while, plus, she has a high tolerance for pain so I was thinking going to the hospital wasn't the worst idea. She had also informed me that Keebler, her cat, brought a squirrel into the house and of course it was stuck in the nursery. So she had been chasing this sucker around the house and trying to get it out. Once Nick got home, they both attempted to get the squirrel out which took Brandi's mind off her contractions some, she took breaks to breathe through her contractions. At around 7:45 I was dying to know so I text Nick trying to leave Brandi alone. He said they were at the hospital, she was in labor for sure and they were hooking her up.
I couldn't sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about Brandi, if she was okay, if she was in pain, wanting to be there to yell at people to get her epidural in and move faster. I wanted to hold her hand. I wanted to root her on and remind her it'll all be okay, Elsa will be here so soon in her arms. She dealt with contractions a few hours and her epidural worked great. She called me around 10 or 11 and let me know she was doing great. It was so nice to hear her voice and know she was pain free. They thought she'd deliver in a few hours. At that point she was 4 or 6 cm, I can't remember exactly. Brittany Bradley was working that night and could be her nurse which was awesome. It was so hard being so far away, I now understand how all my family must have felt while I was in labor, it was awful. I wanted a play by play by the second. I tried my best to sleep, but that didn't work. I kept thinking about how amazing it was to become a mom for the first time and I couldn't wait for Brandi to experience the same thing, words cannot describe the love and excitement. So after a few more hours I got a call around 2 am. Elsa was here, she wasn't Elsa yet, Brandi and Nick debated for their entire stay between Elsa Rose and Capri Kathleen I believe it was. I love both, I was no help. They were worried that Elsa would become too popular from the movie Frozen. It may, but we all know that they had it first! ;)
Brandi's delivery went so well, so easy. She pushed 3 times, for 7 minutes. Nothing like mine. :/ I told her she needs to have 6 more if that's how it goes!!! Her mom, dad, Jonny, and Betsy were there, Nick too of course. She said Linny was at a distance kind of worried and Brandi asked her to come out from behind the curtain she was hiding behind. Then she asked Jonny to catch the placenta, needless to say, her drugs worked. She is so brave and did so well. I knew she didn't need me by any means, I just wanted to be there so bad. I'm so glad it was such a breeze. In Olean, they keep the baby in the nursery like the "olden days". It wasn't like that for me, the baby is in the room the entire time. I think it's a catch...I loved having Clara and didn't want her away from me, but I didn't get any rest in the hospital and could have really used some which I thought was the point of staying...to rest and recover. They went home on Sunday and forgot to sign the papers. There were many babies born and the hospital was a busy place, so they snuck out by accident without signing. Anyway, they are home, safe and well. The entire Porcello family is doing well, Friday cannot come soon enough.
Congratulations Brandi and Nick. You are already amazing parents and Elsa is so lucky to have you both. I can't wait for this new chapter in our lives. Please please flood my phone with pictures!!!
6lb 9oz
My beautiful Brandace already looking like a movie star.
A few days later "ta home"
Saturday Dad and Alice got home and everyone had Grandma's canadels (can't spell it or find it online my spelling is so far off, it's a dumpling basically, artery blocker.) to celebrate Elsa's arrival. Everyone was in high spirits and those are the times I EXTRA wish I could skip home fast. Thanks for the pic Jonny!
Kylie stopped to hold her and see Bran. She said she was so light, and she looks it in her arms! Kylie knew I was dying for more pics so sent these. Two beauties!
I love you Elsa. I can't wait to meet you!
