Welcome Kendall Brooke Schollaert

Kendall was born at 41 weeks, 6 days. Apparently my kids like to hang out for a bit longer than the norm. I was really scared to face an induction date and was starting to feel like natural labor was hopeless. But around 1:00 am on Wednesday, November 3, 2010, I woke up with contractions. I had had them for weeks but this time I knew it was time. Mike and I stayed in bed and timed them on and off until about 6:00. We then called my mom and asked her to pick up Laney. We had been in contact with our doula, Ursula, since about 2:00 a.m. We had originally thought that my labor would be faster with #2 than it had been with Laney, but that quickly proved to be untrue.
Ursula came over around 7:00 and got me to get out of bed and start moving around to get things going. I walked up and down the stairs, did lunges, bounced on the birthing ball etc...until about 11:00 a.m. I was getting worried about waiting until the last minute to get the hospital again so Mike and Ursula agreed to go into Labor and Delivery. That turned out to be not the best option. Once we got there they refused to let me get out of bed until my doctor could approve it even though I didn't have an epidural and had no intention of getting one. It was really demoralizing and uncomfortable. After some frustration, and a few hours, my OB approved me moving. At that point I was 5 cm and 100% effaced.
Things moved very quickly after that. We walked the halls a bit and then returned to the room. Most of what happened after that is a blur to me. I know that I could have never made it though 15 hours of unmedicated labor without the support of my amazing husband, my miracle worker doula, and our wonderful labor and delivery nurse. Kendall Brooke was born at 4:04 pm. She was 8 lbs. 5 ounces, 20 1/4 inches. I am so in love with our little family.

Here she is, testing those lungs right after birth:

First family picture! I look terrible but I think its more due to the angle than the labor because at this point I felt amazing! Laney truly loves her sister and I have really enjoyed seeing them together. I told Laney that Kendall is the best gift she will ever receive, and I know this is true. I have always wanted a sister and feel so lucky that my girls have each other now.