Relax, Mama! (Day of Orion's Birth)

While riding back with my mom and Tasia after a manicure today, I remembered that the last time I had a manicure done it was the morning of July 19th. Actually, not just a manicure. I had gone to Roxsan Day Spa at White Flint Mall for a facial, pregnancy massage, manicure and pedicure all in one visit. It was so nice, of course you can imagine. After the spa, I walked around White Flint Mall and eventually drove over to BuyBuy Baby looking for a 'take home outfit' for our new baby boy. I was hoping to find a shirt with "O", for Orion, but none were to be found. Time was running out and I had to rush over to my 38 week prenatal appointment, didn't have time to stop at a good ol' deli, didn't want to stop for fast food (blech!) so I resorted to snacking on the dried apricots I had in my purse. It was there at the appointment I slowed down to have a fetal heart tracing, apparently I was having frequent contractions. The doctor asked about them and I didn't realize it was apparently significant. I thought contractions were supposed to hurt, I was just uncomfortable. My 3rd baby and I finally have an inkling of what early labor feels like! (With Skyler, I was induced and ended up having a c-section; with Anastasia, Thomas and I just strolled into the hospital on the day of the scheduled c-section.) The doctor said to go straight to the hospital, no hurry, though. No food either. No pit stop at home. Lo and behold, at 8:47 p.m. on July 19, 2010, Orion Theodore Withrow was born via c-section!

The spa visit was a Mother's Day gift to me from Thomas and the kids. Funny, though, this Mom's day gift certificate was used on the day I'm a new mom to our 3rd child.

Thomas and a niece eventually went to BuyBuy Baby to pick something out for a 'take home outfit' after Orion was born.

To any expectant mothers out there: Relax. Do not clean house. Do not clean your shelves. Do not work. Just. Relax. Even if it doesn't lead to baby coming; it'll be the last of any relaxation of its kind you can find before your new baby (or your yet another child) comes!

Photo above: On the way to Holy Cross Hospital the afternoon of July 19th to meet my 3rd child, Orion.

:::Hex