Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Eliza

Elizabeth Lily
"Eliza"
Joshua and Eliza
Delia's so excited to be a big sister!

I remember when I was a little girl I sometimes wished I was a boy (mainly because I resented the fact that I couldn't pee standing up!). Jason looked at me today and said "you're so lucky you get to spend so much time with the baby." And I am. I feel so blessed to be a woman and a mother. I love my children and am so grateful for them. I love giving birth and I am glad that I have gotten to do it three times!

Some of the details (for those who want to know):

I was starting to wonder if Eliza would ever come. I had been so sure that she would be born in September! But when she made up her mind to come, there was no slowing her down.

I woke up around 4:00 in the morning on Sunday with a contraction and felt that it was going to be "the birth day", so I got up and made a birthday cake (a pound cake from the Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook), some ice cream, and German Apple Pancakes for breakfast. I tidied up the kitchen and the house and went back to bed for a couple of hours. We watched the morning session of General Conference and I made some yummy pasta for dinner.

Around 1:30 in the afternoon I called the midwife to tell her I was having contractions, but they weren't really painful. I was pretty sure I was in labor, but thought it would be a while and I didn't need her to come yet. The midwife told me to call and get the labor tub set-up so that I could have it ready when I needed it. The labor tub was delivered and ready by 3:00 and we were supposed to wait until 5:00 to finish filling it with hot water (we needed to let our hot water tank recover). Contractions started getting more intense around 4:00 pm and Jason called the midwife to come. At 4:30 I told Jason to start filling the labor tub with whatever hot water was in the tank because I needed to get in. The midwife arrived about 5 minutes later and I think I had four or five more contractions after she got here (the last contraction went on for about twenty minutes straight and ended with a baby being pushed out!)

This labor might have been the most difficult because everything happened so fast I didn't feel like I was in control at the end. But the recovery has been the easiest, by far. I have to remind myself I had a baby two days ago and to take it easy because I feel so great. Jason's home with us this week and my mom's coming on Saturday and I am just enjoying the baby!

11 comments:

Sarah said...

I'm so happy everything went well for you.

Rebecca said...

SO glad that things went well! You're amazing! It was GREAT talking to you last night. I'm so anxious to see that darling baby. We need to work something out soon. Take care!!

Honey said...

I love her name - and she follows the others ending with a. A perfect fit! I'm glad everything went well.

I know EXACTLY what you mean about feeling so good and wanting to be up and doing everything. Just don't push yourself! :) So happy everyone is well!

Suzie said...

Congrats Christina! She's beautiful.

Unknown said...

Oh Congratulations!!! She is beautiful and I can't believe how much your family has grown. I love you all so very, very much. Congratulations!! Welcome Baby Eliza!

Danielle said...

What a darling name. I love it! Perfect for such a darling babe.

I am so impressed with your calm collectedness. What a woman you are!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love the name! She is so sweet looking. Congrats on such a great delivery -

The Super Seven said...

A beautiful name for a beautiful girl!!! Sounds like you are doing great......love the pictures of the kids with her, Joshua doesn't look as excited about another sister. I have a feeling Jacob won't be too excited if he gets a 4th sister but nothing we can do. Only time will tell at this point. Hope Jason is pampering you this week and that you have a good visit with your mom!!!! Congrats again!!!

Ricki said...

Thank you for sharing the details. I always love to hear and share birth stories. I miss making birth sounds! Isn't that a funny thing to miss, I just can't seem to get the same sounds out that I did that day. I love the name you've chosen! It's very fitting for a little dark haired girl (I always think of Audrey Hepburn when I hear Eliza-My Fair Lady).

Sara LaClaire said...

beautiful name! congratulations. ps. my sis-in-law CAN pee standing up. she's one of those people who can do anything and of course everyone says, except pee standing up. well, turns out years of camping with brothers or something gave her that great talent. so i'm sure you can figure it out as well. ;D

Trisha said...

My heavens you have beautiful children! Congratulations to your whole family.