Amelie Marie was born at 1:32 pm, weighing 8 lbs. 7.5 oz, and 20.5 inches long. Rob had predicted 8 lbs. 8 oz. in the morning, so he was really, very close.
We discussed many, many baby names. Amelie Marie became the front runner months ago, but we were still discussing on our way to the hospital. My maternal great grandmother was named Amelia. My mother lived with her off and on when she was growing up and she was an important and reliable person in her life. (Amelie is the French version of Amelia and is pronounced like "Emily" with an "Ah" sound at the beginning instead of the "E.") Rob's maternal grandmother was named Marie. Rob enjoyed going for walks to the park with her as a kid and remembers her as a smart lady who was always happy to spend time with him at a difficult time in his childhood as well. We are happy to remember these two wonderful women in naming our newest addition.
Everyone had a turn holding baby sister during an evening visit.
Charlotte is overjoyed!
When Jakey says "Amelie" it sounds like "Amie" which means friend in French. So I've already taken to calling her our petite Amie- little friend.
Nothing petite about these feet though.
(She gets these from Rob.)
It is hard work being born.
Especially when you come with hair, eyelashes, and fingernails that have scratched your little face all up.
Amelie is so sweet and cuddly, we are just thrilled she is finally here.
Je t'adore Amelie... we adore you.
And now, the nitty gritty. Stop reading here if you don't want to hear any birth story details, but I promise not to be too graphic.
We arrived at the hospital at 6:30 am on Wedsnesday, as scheduled, and promptly sat in the waiting room for an hour. Ugh. (We decided to induce after my OB made the offer to induce a few days early so that we could plan childcare for our older kiddos.) I was 1-2 cm dilated when checked and the nurse started my IV with Pitocin just before 8 am. My doctor had a surgery scheduled, so we didn't see him again until about 11 am. Things progressed slowly, comfortably, predictably, and just fine all morning.
At 11 am Dr. McDonough checked me and I was 3-4 cm, so he broke my water at that point. He left instructions with the nurse to call him in an hour with a progress report and warned her that with my OB history, "she's going to go fast." The nurse called in the scrub nurse at that point who opened the surgical kit and laid out things the doctor might need later. (I am so glad she did this.)
By 12 noon I was getting pretty uncomfortable. The nurse checked me and I was at 5-6 cm. I looked at Rob and said, "that's not enough." I was envisioning hours and hours more of increasing pain and was having serious doubts about continuing without an epidural. I don't know how women labor for 24+ hours ever.
By 1 pm I was panicking... more than a little bit. Rob did his best to rub my back and keep me calm, but I was beginning to vocalize with the contractions and having a very hard time puffing my way through them. The nurse checked me and I was 7-8 cm. Welcome to transition! (This is the worst part of labor in my opinion.) Now here's the thing, she DIDN'T call my OB at this point. I think she thought we had some time.
15 minutes later I told her in a not-so-calm voice that the baby was coming. She told me to "blow out the candle and don't push" which is supposed to help me continue breathing I suppose while she notified the doc, but it was far too late for blowing out any imaginary candles. I don't precisely remember but apparently I yelled at her (per Rob), "I AM blowing... AND I'm pushing!" Despite that, I tried very, very hard not to push as I lay curled up on my side and telling everyone in the maternity wing (in a loud voice) that she is coming NOW. I was just about to order Rob to catch the baby, as no one else seemed to be listening to me, when...
On the next contraction my doctor walked into the room and into his waiting scrubs as Amelie's little head arrived on the bed followed quickly by the rest of her. I did not consciously push once. I had not been "prepped" by the nurses (antiseptic, bed taken apart, etc.) Amelie just burst into the world on her own!
In the immediate aftermath there were some concerns... meconium in the amniotic fluid, a "true knot" in the cord (we have either a swimmer or a gymnast on our hands I guess,) and stitches for me. But all was fine and now that the initial flurry of activity is over we are just happy to finally hold her in our arms, be at home, and give her as much love as we possibly can.
She is a precious and beautiful little person and we are loving getting to know her and be a part of her life and her family. :)
