40 weeks and 2 days. I remember this time, 40 weeks and 2 days ago. The agony and anguish of being overdue, just waiting, and waiting, and waiting. So eager and excited to meet your little baby, but scared and nervous (and still excited!) of birthing, and then, parenting.

40 weeks exactly. Read more here.

I remember all of the feelings I had that Tuesday, October 1st like it was yesterday. Waking up and finally feeling what I figured was a contraction, thinking, YES, maybe today is the day. Just maybe. I remember John and I walking around downtown to get the contractions really going and they were getting worse and worse and soooo painful. I was so curious to see what these “contractions” felt like, well here they were, and it HURT. But I was determined to have my natural labor. My inner competitive athlete was reborn. Determined. Stubborn. Anxious. Focused. In pain. IN PAIN. That hypnobirthing that I learned, was out the window… I just tried to survive.

Mid-contraction. 4 hours before having Ivy. Dying. But kind of liking it. Weird. John thought it would be a good idea to take a picture of me in so much pain. I could have killed him. In fact, if I would have been able to move, I would have lunged at his throat, like Volturi style. But now, I remember this moment. And I am glad it was captured. It makes me laugh and groan at the same time. Ugh.

At 9:11pm on Tuesday, October 1st, I naturally birthed Ivy Rebecca Koch, 7 lbs 9 oz and 20 inches (read more here) .I did it. WE did it. John by my side. Coaching me, guiding me, pushing me, and most importantly, loving me us. Here was our baby girl, finally :) I’ve never loved anything more…

40 weeks and 2 days later. FAST-FORWARD. Like, really fast. My Our little baby girl has 5 teeth (another bottom one just broke through yesterday!!), crawling, hilarious, smily, playful, adventurous, curious, and now is walking like a PRO in her walker. All in 40 weeks and 2 days. Whew. Thinking about then to now is pretty R E M A R K A B L E.

So, here we are, 40 weeks and 2 days later, reminiscing about that day and the time in between. Marveling at what humans are capable of and wondering what it will be like in 40 weeks and 2 days from now. But who wants to count that?! I’m just going to soak up this moment, give my hubby and baby a kiss, and take another sip of my wine.