She's Here!

Eliza Paige Heap was born yesterday, October 3rd at 4:31a.m. She weighed in at 9lbs. 8oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long.

Here's the story...

Addy had her weekly Dr's appointment on Friday where they stripped her membranes. Her blood pressure was a little elevated and with her previous history, they sent her to Triage at the Hospital to have some blood work done. As she was hooked up to the monitors, the nurse asked if she was feeling any contractions because the machine was picking them up. She wasn't feeling anything, but started to after they discharged her. Several people had advised that once she started feeling something, not to sit down - get up and keep moving. So, when she got home she vacuumed and started some laundry.

Anjie volunteered to watch Ethan that evening so we could go on a date. We dropped Ethan off around 5:00 and headed to dinner. Addy was still having contractions, but not consistently. We enjoyed some pizza at Grimaldi's and then headed to Harkins to catch a movie. The contractions continued throughout the movie and started to become more regular and intense. By the time we headed back to pick Ethan up, Addy was pretty sure that we would have a baby that night.

We decided that it would good to call Addy's Mom to let her know what was going on, just in case. We picked up Ryan's van pool van from their first stop, filled it up with gas, dropped it off at another stop. When we got home, Ryan gave Ethan a bath and Addy finished some laundry and put our slip covers back on the couches. Addy's Mom arrived and contractions were getting pretty close and more intense. Ryan and Addy both got showers and then headed to the hospital around 11:45p.m.

The hospital policy is to check in at the Emergency Room. Even though we pre-registered and had been there earlier in the day, it felt like forever to check in - at least to Addy. We got to Triage and Addy was hooked up to monitors and had an IV started (in prep for the Epidural). The contractions were very close and intense - especially in Addy's back. The Nurse's told us that Eliza was probably 'sunny-side-up'. The Nurse checked Addy and she was dilated to 7. Maybe we waited a little too long.

We were moved to the delivery room and Addy was getting pretty worn out. The pain was strong and Addy started getting a little rude. At one point Ryan said, "You can do it honey." He never calls her honey, so she asked him not to - in a not-so-nice tone. The Nurse also was a recipient of Addy's wrath. After the epidural started working, she apologized for her foul behavior repeatedly. You know the show 'Bridezillas'... maybe they need one called Momzillas for women who are giving birth.

Any who... Addy got her epidural and was a happy girl. The Nurse said that they had called the Doctor and she was on her way, but they made it sound like it would be a little while. Which, was fine... more time to rest. It was about 20 minutes before the Doctor showed up. She checked Addy and was going to break her water. When she checked, she ended up breaking it without the tool they use. That meant it was time to get pushing.

The epidural wore off enough to feel the contractions coming a little while after Addy started pushing. The Nurse was helpful through the whole process and guided Addy along. Ryan was also very supportive and helped coach Addy through it (it did help that there weren't any NBA games on this time). Eliza made her entrance into the world after an hour and a half of pushing.

She is very healthy - scoring 9's on her Apgar tests. Her blood sugar dropped a little in the Hospital, so she has been nursing and bottle feeding. She is doing awesome at nursing so far! Addy and Eliza spent all day Saturday and half the day on Sunday in the Hospital. No children under 13 were allowed to visit, so they were eager to get home. Ethan was excited to meet his new sister and to have Mom back at home. It was a lot quicker labor and delivery than it was with Ethan, so we were all very pleased.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with Ethan, made visits to the Hospital, and supported us through this process. We're glad Eliza is finally here and part of our family. We can't wait to get to know her better and watch her grow.