Lela has arrived!

We had a precious little girl on Friday, May 15th at 7:09 PM. She weighed 7 lb. 10 oz. and was 20.8 inches long. We named her Lela (LEE-luh) Katharine Alberta Smith. The birth was natural and a large part of the labor was in water. We had two midwives attending (one in training) and our friend Sarah as an assistant and massage therapist.

Here's the brief version of the birth story: Labor induction with breast pump began at 8:15 AM and by 11 AM thing had progressed enough to break my water. Jack says labor got really intense around 3 PM and by 5 PM I was ready to start pushing (though it was another hour before I was TOTALLY dilated (had 1 more cm to go). I did much of the hard labor in the waterbirth tub, but by around 6:45 PM the midwife suggested I try the bed again, as I had made more progress there about an hour before. It only took about 3-4 more rounds of contractions (4-5 pushes each) to give birth to Lela. Jack caught her with his bare hands (guided by the midwife) and put her on my chest right away. A few minutes went by before we discovered she was a girl. After about 10 minutes Jack cut the cord (we wanted to wait until it stopped pulsing). The placenta was born shortly after that.

We were discharged in 24 hours and spent our second night at home together in bed.

Baby Lela is now 2 weeks old, eating like a horse, making all sorts of noises, filling lots of diapers, and is truly a joy in our lives. Praise God for this beautiful miracle.

"Overdue"

So the baby and I have a little stand-off going. I have to work within the 42 week timeline of obstetric professionals, and the baby wants to cook and stay cozy inside for as long as it wants. We're getting down to the wire these days, as I'm nearing the 42 week mark, which puts me into a "high risk" category that removes me from being treated by our midwife practice. So, Thursday we'll have to talk induction.

Please pray that things get going naturally. So far, my body has started the process of labor, and here are some signs: mucus plug drained out for the past week, mild-moderate contractions ranging from 5 minutes apart to more than 10, fatigue, dilation (I was 3 cm on Friday the 1st of May), effacement (I was 50% on Friday the 1st of May). These signs make me a good candidate for induction that is less extreme than it could be, however, Jack and I are really hoping to have a natural birth, with no intervention. We feel it is best for the baby.

One thing I was not prepared for at this stage of pregnancy is the constant questioning from friends and family about when the baby is coming. Of course, we want it to come soon, but we have no control over when it happens. Yesterday I even stopped answering my phone and just before falling asleep decided to change my voicemail to a message that told callers we would LET THEM KNOW when the baby arrived. I do appreciate the care and concern, and several folks have only given me encouragement. But everyone is curious and I can't blame them for it. It's just getting frustrating for me.

What I'm telling people to keep my spirits up when they ask:

Every day I'm still pregnant, is another day with MORE sleep and LESS responsibility.

I'm trying to enjoy the last few days with my husband while it is "just the two of us".

I'm doing my best to rest and keep track of early labor signs, so I'll know when things get serious.

We want the baby to start the process of labor, as it usually does when it is ready.

It's easier to be pregnant, than to take care of an infant (feeding/changing/carrying around/etc.)

What other people have told me to encourage me:

A baby that stays in longer is easier to take care of (sleeps through the night sooner, eats better, etc.).

I guess I'll just have to keep focused on the positive for the next few days and wait.

Quick Update

At our last midwife appointment, Friday the 10th, the baby was still head down (has been for the past 5 weeks...yeah!), weighed about 7 pounds. We had some good conversation with her about hospital procedures, what to expect, etc. We're going in every week now and have more questions every time.

We are on week three of our Bradley Method birthing class and getting excited. We'll be covering stages of labor and techniques for helping it progress this week and have some homework to do. We've been practicing relaxation and I've been doing squats, pelvic rocks, tailor sitting and Kegels, all the exercise they say help get the pelvic floor muscles and hips ready for birthing. We'll be meeting twice weekly for the next few weeks (once with 4 other couples in the group class, and once with just the instructor for advanced planning if we don't make it to May 19th with the class schedule) and getting our birth plan together this week.

What we'd like:
Natural water birth at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital with midwife and no complications.
What we'll get:
No telling...

We recently watched "The Business of Being Born" as recommended by our class and really learned a lot.

Migration of Organs

The last month has been a fun one! Moving into the third tri-mester of pregnancy, my body is experiencing some strange changes. I thought I'd share a picture with you to give a glimpse inside of how my body is shifting right now to make room for baby "lulu". The backpain, the twinge of pain I feel sometimes when I move around from stretching ligaments, the frequent bathroom breaks, the shortness of breath, the smaller meals and the changing shape can all be partly explained by just how much my insides have to shift to make way for the baby. Honestly, this picture doesn't make the baby look to comfortable either!

Though I'm only in my 27th week, I think the general changes are pretty accurate. I'm really working on getting some pictures of me, but it's harder than you might think. I just need to breakdown and get out the camera one night, choose a fitting shirt, and stand in front of the wall. I'll look for some "in action" photos too, from recent social events.

As for other experiences we've been enjoying lately, the baby's movements are easily felt and seen at this point. Just this morning I watched the "popcorn belly" in amusement. I think it was the first time I noticed the baby's hiccups too (at least that's what I think it was). I'm still wondering what parts are moving when I see a bump or a sweep across my belly. Sooner than later we might be able to tell if it is a bum, limb or noggin. We'll keep you posted and maybe even try to get a video posted in the near future.

Long Awaited Italy Pics

Many of you know I spent 10 days last fall visiting my sister-in-law, nieces and the beautiful country of Italy. I wanted to share a few pics from the trip. Hopefully these will be things you can experience first-hand sometime in your lives. Italy is definitely a place I will need to visit again!

Villa Angelica (the name covers it!)

Lasize-a costal town on the east side of Lake Garda

Just one of many Gelateria's we enjoyed, and a nice view down the street

The marina at Lasize

The gorgeous blue waters of lake Garda, and a view across to the mountains on the west side of the lake

On a ferry ride we saw this!

Lasize and the eastern mountains from the ferry

Limone, the town where the Marathon began (I didn't run, but was on the support team)

Ruins of lemon orchards, for which Limone get it's name.

Anybody for some gelato and cappucino?

Walking through Limone's walled pathways, with peeks out over the lake. I was on child-chasing duty.

Vicki and the newest niece, Kera Grace.

My turn to hold her...too cute to let go!

Me and Nali, enjoying the ferry ride.

The runners (Vicki in dark blue, center, Jos in light blue to her right and Jess with the medal, left of center) and their training support (two gals on ends)

Yet another dessert to savor! Nali liked my selection.

Common view while walking through they cities.

Future residence?

I'd take the castle too!

What a family/person eats in a month: Around the world

You may or may not have seen the post I did last December on what families around the world buy as groceries for one month. As I was looking over those pictures again, I read a comment about how much of a contrast monthly meals for those in the service compares to these families. I thought I'd post this picture of the MRE to represent how many people eat when they are serving our country. This is far below the standard you can see in the picture of the American family, and in many other cultures as well. Thank you, men and women, for what you sacrifice to protect and serve America.

The Double-Bind Supreme: Loving Relationships

A friend recently shared this quote with me and I was touched. Enjoy!

Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.

--From The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis