Lola arrived after a very uneventful labor that lasted quite a long time. I woke up from my nap on Monday afternoon (Sept 8th) and knew I was having some contractions. I timed them but they were 15 minutes apart and not very strong so I didn't concern myself to much. We had planned to go to Chinatown that evening, but because we woke up late from naps we decided to go to a local restaurant that promised entertainment in the form of folk dancing and live music. It was our first visit to a Thai restaurant too. We took the Skytrain and after a small hike arrived at the open air barn that served as a restaurant. Other than the stray cats and kittens frolicking around our feet it was a very nice dinner. We stuffed ourselves with coconut curry soup, fried veggies (even lettuce), cashew chicken, and some other stuff.After returning home we put Gracie to bed and decided to watch some t.v. so that I could figure out what was going on with Lola. The contractions were still coming and after everyone else went to bed I decided to stroll around the lobby for a while and time them. At first they were 8 minutes apart, then 7, then 6.... then 5. But they still weren't very strong - or at least not very painful. At 3 am I decided to go to the hospital to get checked out and sure enough I was dialated 3 cm, but their machine indicated I was only having contractions about every 15 minutes. They admitted me and Matt and I settled in. We both took a short nap and at 5 am my doc arrived and ordered me to be hooked back up to the machine. She didn't want to waste any time and asked if I wanted an epidural and pitocin to speed things up. I refused of course.
They hooked me back up to the machine and those silly contractions were still 15 minutes apart but I was dialated to 5cm. Then we waited, I walked around, I showered... and at noon the doc wanted to break my water. I refused of course. I was dialated to 7 and wanted to see what would happen. At 1 I was dialated to almost 9, the contractions were still 12 minutes apart, but by now the doc was saying I needed pitocin to help push that baby out, and I should probably go ahead and get the epidural too. I was not to keen on it but after prayer I just decided it was ok. So they gave me an IV which was horrible, then pitocin which did the job and my contractions picked up a little. It still didn't hurt though. I was really in limbo about the epidural - but was scared not to get it after my experience with Gracie. Now I wish I hadn't. It was the most terrible part of my birth experience. I hate needles and I hate the way an epidural makes your legs feel numb. I don't like not having control of my muscles either. They gave me the epidural at 2 and the doc said wait a few minutes and see... she announced that the baby would come by 3 - before shift change.... oh that is what all that was about! At 2:35 I could feel the pressure so they had a look then started transforming my bed into a contraption more fitted for birthing a baby. They threw Matt some scrubs and ordered him to change and 5 minutes later I was pushing. 4 pushes and Lola arrived! No stitches needed! Wow! Apparently my diet was good for controlling baby weight too - Lola was almost 2 full pounds lighter than Gracie. Matt was upset that they didn't let him cut the cord and shooed him away when he wanted to get closer to witness the birth. An Australian midwife had come up to be with me and she explained they were very afraid of infection. Ha! That's funny and ironic if you know what a germaphobe I am.
Here is Lola a few hours after birth. The fam came up to have a look and give her some love. She responded with her ballerina pose. Princess #2 has arrived!
Gracie was very excited about her new sister. She loves to hold her and give her kisses. I am so thankful that Mackie (Matt's mom) arrived in time to be with her while we were at the hospital. Gracie did so well. She played with her Mims all day, took her nap like a good girl, and even ate well. That was an answer to prayer!
Back at the hotel Lola got a lot of attention. Everyone enjoys just staring at her. Here is Mimi having some time with her new grandbaby. Lola was Matt's grandmother's name, so it is especially special to Mims. We know Grandma Lola was looking down in delight too at our new little miracle of life. Thank you Lord for you give good gifts!
