Our baby girl has arrived!!! Sophia Grace was born on Monday, April 20th at 1:21pm weighing 8# 14 1/2oz and measuring 20" long. I'm sure the news has spread by now and my appologies for the delay in announcement here. As you can imagine, we've been entirely consumed with settling our newest member of the family.
I went to bed Sunday night with lots of baby movement and more-than-usual, though irregular, contractions. I told Craig I had a feeling it might be soon and said a prayer for a smooth and healthy experience. I told Sophia not to be afraid and that I would be there with her and she would be safe. My labor began about 3am Monday morning and I labored at home until about 7 when my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart. The timing was really the best I could hope for. Laboring in the middle of the night is peaceful and I could be home while Will was asleep. Then, by the time we were ready to head to the hospital, Will could go to the babysitter's and have his normal day. That made it so much easier for me to leave, knowing nothing was out of the ordinary for him.
My labor was very manageable for quite awhile because my water hadn't broken and that leaves a bit of a cushion from the intensity and pressure. By 11 or so, things were really picking up and at noon, my doctor came in to break my water. After that, I progressed pretty quickly from 7 centimeters to complete in less than an hour. My whole body was bearing down and I had an incredible urge to push (too soon) beyond my control. That was the hardest and scariest part, when you have to hold off and breath through it. Shortly after 1:00, I was able to push and Miss Sophia presented in anterior position, making it much harder. But about 15 minutes later, she was born and I have never felt so relieved in all my life. That experience was the hardest, most painful, most rewarding thing I have ever done. I was determined to have a natural birth and we made it! No drugs, no IV. On a pain scale of 1-10, Will's birth was an 8... Sophia's was a 10.5.
But after a difficult birth, I was rewarded with an easy start with breastfeeding (she took to it immediately, thank God!) and a pretty quick recovery. I'm feeling so good and am surprised at how smooth the transition has been. Sophia is a very pleasant baby, sleeps pretty well, and has some impressively long stretches of awake and alert times where she's very bright-eyed and interactive. Will has probably had the hardest time adjusting to sharing my attention. He's slowly warming up to her but is very clingy and whiney whenever I'm holding her. We've really been making a point to give him plenty of special attention and keep his daily routine pretty normal.
Thank you everyone for your well wishes and cards. We appreciate all your love and support!
Here are some pictures:
Right after birth
I was so happy that MY doctor was on call for Sophia's birth (on the right). She was awesome and very supportive of my desire for natural birth. I also had a wonderful labor and delivery nurse (on the left).
Visitors! Will gets a glimpse of his new baby sister.
Uncle Taylor & "Aunt" Amanda
Grandma & Papa Riedeman
Nana & Papa Skees
Uncle Wes and Aunt Casey
Will opening a gift from "Baby Sophie".
Sophie's first diaper change!
Aunt Kelly
Trying on a hat that totally does NOT fit her yet :) And check out that double chin!
Craig does a much better job at swaddling than I do.
Casey and the twins enjoy a chocolate milk! :)
Will visits again on day 2 wearing a "Big Brother" t-shirt.
"Aunt" Jill
Getting ready to head home on Wednesday. Here's the "48 hours later belly" :)
Feeding Sophie while waiting for the pediatrician to release her after her assessment. Sophie was born hungry! She is a very good eater... and pooper! No sign of jaundice here!
Settling into the car seat.
Home at last. Welcome home Sophie!
