At Last …

I guess you could say, “That sure was a long nap, Leo!” (See Labor Day).

I remember trying to take a nap before Jolie started her pushing … but I was too excited to fully fall asleep. I heard everything in the room every time the nurse came in to check on Jolie. And at one point, after Jill (Jolie’s deliverying doctor) checked her cervix again, I heard her say, “Jolie’s just about full…”

30 minutes later, Jolie was making the push of her life once again.

One of the things we’ve heard during the pregnancy was that if your pregnancy was hard, your labor and delivery will be easy (and vise versa). Between the pregnancy-related infections, the aches and pains, sleepless nights, overall fatigue, and of course, the bed rest, this pregnancy has been nothing short of hard. They also say second deliveries are easier. I dismissed most of it as old-wives’ tale, but a big part of me couldn’t help but wish it would be true.

It may be still just be coincidense, but it really seemed like this baby wanted to make it easy on us.  Just like the contraction, the pushing and delivery went just as swiftly.  I really think I could have counted every push Jolie made with only my two hands.  And before I knew it, Jill was asking me to cut the umbilical cord and this baby was in Jolie’s arms.

Of course, from a woman’s perspective, giving birth it never a walk in the park.  But it was nothing like what it took to bring Parker into the world either. From the first contraction to baby’s first cry, it took only eight and half hours. I suppose if you compare that to the 30+ hours of laboring with Parker, it might seem like a walk in the park to Jolie.

At about 10:39am that morning … two hours after I took that nap … Jolie beared down to make her final push.  Almost immediately, we heard the wonderful cry of a new born child.  As her legs dangled in the Jills hands, I looked intently to find only a couple of “folds” between them.  That’s when Jolie and I were finally assured - we had a girl. She was beautiful … covered in goop and slime and all.  She came in at seven pounds and nine ounces with a length of 21 inches.  It was almost identical numbers to that of  Parker.  And like Parker, she came with a sizable crown – 13 some inches.  She also came “sunny side up” – facing up – so mom felt all 13 inches!  But Jolie did really great.  Like a pro, she had some experience under her belt and she was very composed thoughout.

Come tomorrow, our little girl will be two weeks old.  We’ve been home now for the most of that and are now starting to find our baring in our new family settings.  Jolie’s mom, Cheril, got on the first flight out to Denver and was here only hours after delivery.  She’s been a great help to us in our transition.  Jolie is healing well from her wounds and baby is well and thriving.  Breastfeeding proves to be a challenge for mom once again, but unlike with Parker, it’s going a thousand times better this time around.  There’s a lot to be said about breastfeeding and I think any couple who’s attempted would have know what that is.  At any rate … however well it is going, there’s still obstacles to be overcome.  We’ve had our moments of struggle in these two weeks and I’m sure there’s more to come as we adjust to our new definition of family.

There’s so much to be told, but as you can see, I’m already two weeks behind.  So without further ado, I present to you our precious, baby girl – “Nina”.

I’m sorry it took so long to post this, but I guess blogging just falls down in priority when a new born is added to the picture.  And speaking of pictures, I hope to continue sharing more up to date ones with you soon.

Thank you to all those who have prayed for us and kept us close in their thoughts throughout this pregnancy.