Heidi Ann

On Friday afternoon I looked like this. . .

 On Saturday morning (1:30 a.m.) I looked like this . . .

 And at 9:46 a.m. on Saturday, I looked like this. . .

 Heidi Ann's hospital admission and delivery is probably my favorite of all.  It went so smoothly.  My contractions started at 3:30a.m. on Friday, and we waited to go until midnight Friday night.  I usually do about 24 hours of false labor before things kick into gear, and this was no different.  When we went to the hospital I was PRAYING that they would believe me that this was the real thing even though I was still only contracting 10 minutes apart.  Lucky for me, I was dilated far enough that they need not turn me away, and I was admitted immediately.  I literally got tears in my eyes I was so happy.  (This has never happened.  I am ALWAYS turned away and told to come back when things pick up, and by that time I am basically in transition)  Incidentally, I NEVER got faster than 10 minutes apart.  It was strange. . .

Heidi arrived at 9:46 a.m. after a restful labor with a lovely epidural.  I even got some sleep.  When she was born, the cord was wrapped twice around her neck, and around her back (see next picture) and we were glad she was able to delivery very quickly as her heart rate rather suddenly dropped.  I was so glad we were at the hospital.  She was 7 lbs 5 oz (our tiniest baby by 5 ounces!) and 20.5 inches long.  She is long and lean.

 Here you can see her back where they think she was compressing on her cord.  Both the doctor and the nurse (who had been doing L&D for 22 years) said that they had never seen anything like this.  We thought it was a bruise but it did disappear after about 2 hours.  I can't help feeling like we had a guardian angel watching out for her and that she was still getting everything she needed from her cord with all the wrappings around and squishing against her back.

 Grammy was with us for the delivery!  It was our first time with anybody besides just the two of us, and it was very special that she was there.

The rest of our hospital stay was peaceful and uneventful.  We slept a lot the next night, and rested and enjoyed our time with our girl.

We are SO happy she is here!  She is beautiful and looks very much like Aidan and Emilee both.  She is a sweetheart and peaceful and a good eater and just a love!  Stay tuned for more pictures of coming home, and meeting her siblings!  I'll try to get around to that soon!