There’s a Brand New Baby at Our House

October 29th, 2008

Ella Faye Elizabeth came into our arms just before midnight on October 4th. She shares my grandpa’s birthday, & although I didn’t know him well, I feel honored that she can share that day with him.
I awoke at 4:30 that morning & timed my contractions for a bit before waking Anthony. Then we sat in anticipation for the next two hours as the pains grew more intense & closer together. It seems odd to think now about walking into the hospital. I felt surprisingly calm. For knowing what was sure to come later in the day, I think we both kept our wits about ourselves very well. I’d expected to freak out a bit, expecting the intensity & pressure of labor. My whole birth experience turned out to be very tranquil & unexplainably satisfying. Seeing & feeling the changes my body has gone through these past months (occurring still) & realizing all that we are capable of makes me feel like a goddess. (We are goddesses!)

After 19 hours of labor including two and a half hours of good solid pushing, Ella made her entrance into our world. Her daddy cut the cord & brought her to my arms & my life changed forever.

Our stay in the hospital was extended as the next day we found out I had developed HELLP syndrome after delivery (shucks, we got the news just as our fancy hospital “Baby Bistro” meal was delivered, Martinelli’s & mini champagne glasses & all). Several blood tests & monitoring required me to stay in the hospital a couple extra days. Ella was discharged before I was, but she & Anthony stayed by my side, sharing my bed. I’m just glad that I was the reason for our delay getting home.

The past three weeks have been busy & stressful at times, but pretty beautiful just the same. Lots of introductions & visits with loved ones & getting to know our new little blessing. Having a little being around is definitely an adjustment, but I can feel motherhood growing in me. I’m learning to take things as they come. Nothing is getting done around the house (except the meals that Anthony graciously cooks up), but that’s as it should be. Sometime soon perhaps we’ll fall back into a routine that resembles some sort of normalcy. Well, a new normalcy…a better one.

For now our baby sleeps at my side, stirring gently as she stretches her tiny arms. She is lovely. I look at her hands & wonder what she’ll use them for. What will she make with them? Will she find a hobby that will keep her hands busy? Who will she touch – with them, & with her soul…I wonder what her eyes will see. I wonder about the lucky boy, who, once he meets her, will get to spend the rest of his life gazing into them. I can’t wait to hear her laugh & listen to the fascinating things that will come out of her tiny mouth. She is perfect. She is pure love. She is the best of Anthony & the best of me.