THE KUPPERSMITH FAMILY: Arden Marie Kuppersmith is Here

On Thursday, November 21st at 11:07am, Arden Marie Kuppersmith entered this world at 9 pounds 2 ounces and 22 inches long.

It all started the night before when I went in to get induced. The plan was cervidil to get my body ready for labor that night and then pitocin to put me in active labor the next morning. We checked into the hospital Wednesday afternoon and once we got all checked in, I started having contractions pretty regularly on my own. We both laughed because that is what happened with Marlo too. The nurse said that as long as my body kept this up on its own, I wouldn't need the cervidil. Well, unfortunately, the contractions slowed and around midnight, I got the cervidil. I was worried I would be in a lot of pain and not be able to sleep but I really didn't feel any different. The next morning at 6:00am the nurse came in and let me shower before they started the pitocin. By the time I got out of the shower, I could feel major contractions and knew my body was starting on its own. The pitocin was hooked up and I was having contractions regularly. They were not extremely bad so I was encouraged to wait on the epidural. I of course would have taken an epidural immediately but understood why I should wait:) A few hours in, my water broke on its own. From there, the pain got BAD. I went from a 3-4cm dilation to 8 by the time I finally got my epidural and was checked again. WOW!! that was painful. I am so thankful for modern medicine. The epidural was very strong. I don't remember it being so much with the other two but I am glad I didn't feel anything. I could tell it was time so I called for the nurse and midwife. I pushed one time and the midwife calmly, yet firmly called out, "shoulder, bring in a team," and several people rushed in the room. Turns out, Arden's shoulder was stuck under my pubic bone and a 6 foot tall male nurse pushed down on my abdomen a few times while they instructed me on what to do and within the minute, Arden was out. I am very thankful that she wasn't stuck for long and there was not any damage. Everyone sure knew what to do! When she came out, she didn't cry right away like the other two. In fact, we didn't here a loud cry for almost 24 hours. The nurses cleaned her up and weighed her...9 pounds 2 ounces. We couldn't believe it!! Since she was over 9 pounds, she had to have her blood sugar monitored but besides that, she was healthy and ready to go. Both moms and my sister were there to share this special time. It was a smooth and healthy delivery overall.

From there, we went to our more permanent room. The dads and my Grandpa B came later that afternoon and the kids came the next day to meet her. Liam is in love with his little sister and wants to hug and kiss her all the time. He really wants to "help" and hold her a lot too. Marlo is interested in her sometimes and sweet but overall, doesn't pay too much attention to Arden. Rick and Jean left when we got home and Mom and Dad and Grandpa B stayed for about 2 weeks to help with the adjustment. We also had my brother' s family come for Thanksgiving and to meet Arden. I loved having all the family there.

People ask me all the time how it is to have 3 now. I say BUSY. I feel like life never even slowed down. After the other two, there seemed to be a small grace period where life slowed down. I don't know if it is the holidays or what but I told Blake that I felt like we had Thanksgiving and as a side note, oh yeah, we had a baby.