Monday 7 July 2008

Sprout's Big Arrival!

It finally happened! Sprout came!

She was born on July 6, at 2 am - 6 pounds 15 oz, 19 inches long. She's so long and skinny! And she's absolutely beautiful!
Disagree? Well, you would be wrong!

Her story:
Saturday, after a fabulously greasy lunch of a Reuben sandwich and fries at the local diner, Mr. Wonderful and I headed off to do our groceries for the week. In the checkout line, I felt a little trickle - and then another little trickle. I told Mr. W that I thought my water had broken. When I checked at home, I really wasn't sure. A few trickles later, I was pretty sure, but still not convinced. I called the doula, and the hospital for advice, and had a good "OMG, this could be it" cry, and then the contractions started.
Now, when they say 'you will know a real contraction from a Braxton Hicks' they are lying! My first contractions were very mild. I argued Mr. W on timing them - denial, perhaps? I was sure I was not in fact starting labour, and that I was just getting everyone all excited for nothing.
When he timed a few contractions, though, they were only 3 minutes apart. The doula convinced us to head for the hospital. On the way, I became thoroughly convinced that I was, in fact, in labour. It felt terrible, and exciting all at once.

When we got to the hospital, we were sent to triage, where they assessed me at 'definitely not that far gone' and sent us to walk around the halls. I am convinced they would have sent us home if I hadn't proven I was in a bad way. Puke will do that for you. They immediately sent us to our suite.

6 hours of labour later, including 25 minutes of pushing myself inside out, some time in the tub, a lot of time in a rocking chair, and a fair bit of time in bed - Sprout came barreling into the world.

Can I brag for a minute? All natural. No drugs, just an amniotomy (they broke my water). Crowning and birthing the head are the Worst Pain Ever - but I lived, and I know I can do it. Wonder what you look like after giving birth?


Fat, and swollen, and very happy.
And maybe a little tired.

And like your shirt fell off.





And here's what the babe looked like, brand new -- just a few minutes old. AWWWwwwwwWW!




14 comments:

merlinthecat said...

congrats! She's a cutie!!!

Bezzie said...

How could anyone disagree????? She's a cutie!!

And thank you for posting a picture of yourself in all your post labor glory!

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh!! I am squeeing in delight at that sweet little baby!! And I am SO happy that she is indeed a she, now I am glad I waited to mail your package. I can slip another little something in there for you!! Congratulations, I am so happy for you!

Sarah said...

YAY! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you and your beautiful little family.

(((hugs)))

Jesh said...

OH! What a sweetie. :)

Blu Roux said...

Mommy and daughter both look lovely, happy and healthy!
Thanks for sharing her with us so quickly. :)

Big congrats to you and your hubby on Sprout's arrival .

Lisa said...

Oh, she's beautiful! I can't believe you're already blogging!!

Lynne said...

Darling girl, had herself a darling girl. Welcome, little "L". I can't wait to talk to you, again. :)

Cloudberry said...

Congratulations!
She is adorable!

Bonnie said...

Congrats!!! What a beautiful, beautiful baby. :-)

Stickyfingers said...

*pops with pride, and JOY!*

Trixie said...

congratulations! sprout is beautiful!

Valkryie Knit This said...

Yeah!! Congrats Mamma! :)

What to squish the baby! SO cute!

Alrischa said...

Firstly, I wanted to let you know I found your blog through thecompletefabrication.blogspot because she linked her kimono pattern to the Yarn Harlots comments on it. (She was excited!) I've been reading the archives, because your good writing and tonnes of knitting make it interesting reading. (How funny is it, at the beginning, when you were so sure you wouldn't have much of a stash!)

I've been flying through, waiting for the baby to be "born". So (belated) congratulations!! She is so so SO beautiful! And I'm so glad you had a girl, because all that knitted stuff is gorgeous.

It was "months" later when I clicked... and I went back to July to check... Your baby was born two days before mine!! It might even be less, with the time difference. (My sister was in America at the time, and she found out on the 7th, though she wasn't born until the 8th, which I thought was hilarious)

Anyway, Jasmine is 6 months old today, and she's gorgeous and so much fun! I have a boy who's almost 20 months, too, and I have to say, girls are much more fun to knit for!

Anyway, I'm going to get back to the archives Ü Sorry for rambling, and congrats again!