Introducing Gigi!!

Our sweet girl is HERE!

Gabriella Juliette was born at

11:59pm on Tuesday May 24th

She weighed in as our tiniest baby (even smaller than the twins) at a petite

6 lbs. 10 oz.

18 inches long

She's itty-bitty but one perfect little package of preciousness!

We're so grateful for God's many answered prayers in her being delivered free of complication for mommy or baby!! I know this will be more information than most of you care for....but as a Doula, childbirth details fascinate me. Her birth story below....

C and I headed in for my induction at about 6:00 on Tuesday evening. I was dilated to 3. 50% effaced and -3 station. I was not excited about being hooked up to Pitocin, but they felt like she was too high to break my water. My Pit drip was bumped up every 15 minutes until about it was 10:00 and running at 22. I was pretty uncomfortable because the hospital required continual fetal monitoring which meant I was stuck in the bed and not able to move around at all on Pitocin. After 4 and 1/2 hours on Pit, I was not progressing. Contractions were uncomfortable, but irregular. I was getting discouraged with lack of progression and my inability to work with labor. At 10:30, C and I requested they go ahead and break my water and they agreed. My precious midwife friend (who doesnt even have rights at this hospital) arrived about then just to support and be there for me.

Breaking my water was just the ticket to getting things moving along. My contractions immediately intensified. It was determined that Gigi was posterior, which meant excruciating back labor because she was turned the wrong way. I was in agony and beyond frustrated with all the leads and monitors I was hooked up to because of all the risk possibilities they were troubleshooting for.

At 11:15, I was only at 4 cm, 90% effaced and she still hadnt moved down at all. With splitting back pain, minimal progression and inability to move around at all, I was loosing hope. I was in agony!! I told C to go ahead and request an epidural. I could not continue for hours like this stuck on my back in a bed. I think it was the hardest labor Ive had yet because I couldnt work with it.

C being the experienced birth coach that he is apparently told the nurse that he thought I was in transition and wouldnt need it, but that I wanted something for the pain. He was right on. Before they could even get the anesthesiologist up there, I was feeling like I could push. They checked me at 11:50 and I was complete. The shocked nurse who checked me rushed out of the room to get help. My high-risk OB was paged but never even made it. With two pushes, she came out screaming with the cord around her several times. Nothing in the world like those first moments meeting your baby!

I had pretty bad hemorrhaging which took a while to get under control, but all indicates my heart is just fine and baby girl is perfect! She's been a champ nursing and is a big time snuggler and sleeper. And already has daddy wrapped around her little finger.

My precious sister stayed with the kiddos overnight when we went in for the induction and brought the proud big brother and sisters up to meet Gabriella yesterday. Oh....and cupcakes....and a banner....and gifts....and everyone showered and dressed in their matching Big/Sibling shirts. Have I mentioned, she's amazing?!?!

We are recouping and savoring these precious first days bonding with our little princess. Planning on discharge from the hospital later today. Gigi checked out fine and received an ECHO yesterday just to make sure (and for Mommy's peace of mind). Her heart looks just fine. Praise the Lord!

Grateful for answered prayers. Counting fingers and toes. Savoring that sweet newborn smell. Giving thanks to God for indescribable gifts.