We Waited For-Ever

The Important Stuff:
Height- 19 3/4 inches
Weight- 7.12
Head Circumference- 13
Feet- XXL
Arrival- EXACTLY 4pm 4-26-09

A baby changes everything. Two babies- well... I'll get back with you.

Meet Ever Allison. My daughter. My beautiful, big-footed, nipple-hungry baby girl. I suspect she's already keen as to her princess-status...she's certainly got her Big Daddy's attention.

The day began with a feeling, a "I-feel-off" kind of vibe. But, I chalked it up to more Braxton Hicks and lack of sleep. I spent the day playing with Kovi, that feeling always with me. By late afternoon I sensed her debut was probably near. Evening fell and Woog was fast asleep- Big Daddy and I trudged to bed ourselves. But sleep never came- a battalion of irregular contractions did, however and at 2 am, I awoke a sleep-eyed Big Daddy and we left for the hospital. Upon arrival, the nurse verified dilation and confirmed irregular contractions and suggested we walk the floor to urge regular, stronger contractions. We did...12 trips around (over a mile!) and with good results. We were moved from the triage room to a labor and delivery room- the same one Ever's brother was born in just 14 1/2 months before. I'd joked with the nurse, telling her that we were going to write our name on the wall with hash marks denoting the number of visits (we also had the same room with Kovi's preterm episode). Contractions continued to grow stronger until about 10:30am when, after dilating to 5 centimeters, Dr. Sykes (a man associated with Carolina Women's Health, but of slender digit composition) suggested an epidural. After 7 1/2 hours of labor, I was elated at the thought! Initially, sweet tingly bliss flowed through a tiny tube and into my lower back, but alas, the numbness was too much for me and despite the inability to feel anything below my bellybutton, I was restless, my legs flailing about like frozen meat hunks. I asked for my epidural to be cut back...I wanted to feel something. It was and my legs returned from the dead. Things progressed smoothly from there... and finally at about 3:30pm, nurses confirmed complete dilation. We were prepared to push. Woo Hoo! Stir-uped and surrounded by a room full of love, Dr. Sykes gave the order to puuuuuush. After just a few short minutes, Little Miss Ta-Da made a quiet, toe-flailed, finger-splayed arrival. Perfect.

And now, just over 24 hours later, she has established her very important placement as first-born daughter...a wonderful, wonderful surprise, our FOR EVER.

Welcome to the world my beautiful little girl. I love you with all I have.