What a week it's been! I stepped out of the shower last Wednesday morning, October 28th at 5:30 and my water broke! It started as a trickle and I thought "hmmmm?" and then it really started coming. I knew something was up because I had been experiencing some strong, different contractions over the previous few days. On Tuesday night I had my awesome midwife Sara Holt check me and I was at 3cm 80% effaced. "We're going to have a baby soon!" she said. But still, 2 weeks early was a surprise! We got ready, took the kids to school, went by the office to tie up a few things and then labored at home until about 10am. I have to thank my dear friend Amy for talking me through this part of my labor. She was an awesome coach over the phone and kept me distracted and laughing while that was still possible. My contractions were about 7 minutes apart at that point but when I got up and walked around they picked up considerably. Given the quick nature of our previous labors we decided to head to the hospital. When we checked in at the hospital at 10:30 I was at 4cm. Our doula Xylina joined us in the delivery room and was a tremendous support to both me and Quyen. By noon I was fully dilated and pushing... that was an intense 2-1/2 hours let me tell you! We had practiced the hypnobirthing technique during my pregnancy which is what allowed me to stay as focused as possible and labor with out intervention. Sadly, after some time pushing, we soon discovered that baby was posterior which means that she was lying with her back against my spine. That explained the extreme back labor I was experiencing! I was pushing but she was not moving down the birth canal. My midwife Sara then called an OB collegue of hers in to consult on how we should proceed. They decided to first try reaching in and turning baby manually. They would have to give me an epidural for the procedure. This was not what I had wanted or planned for but at that point I could only welcome the help. It was so incredibly painful that I don't want to imagine what it would've been like without the meds! They got the baby turned and it was time to push again. I was so motivated to NOT have a c-section! I pushed for 20 minutes and we had our baby girl!! Such an amazing moment! It's incredible how quickly it all goes away once you are holding that little one! Amia is an absolute sweet heart. We are all so in love!
Born 10.28.09 @2:24pm
7lbs 12oz, 20-3/4"
Meeting their new baby sister.
Going home!
Tavian likes to call his sister "little baby"
and tells me "Mama baby cute, baby nice, baby silly."
Our girls
Olivia is constantly talking to Amia... "Hi baby girl!"
She is awesome with her!
Then on August 1st our dear friends Dave & Angela tied the knot at Red Barn Farms in Colton, WA. Another awesome venue! I am lacking the actual stats but I do believe it was the hottest day of the summer. In fact both of our kids got sick from the heat and sadly had to miss the wedding. This left the wedding party 1 flower girl short but the other 9 fulfilled their duties perfectly and all was well. It was a gorgeous evening and a very emotional wedding for us. We introduced Dave and Angela about a year and a half earlier and they are a huge part of our daily lives. We love them dearly and so look forward to a lifetime of dinner parties, popcorn nights and growing old together!
Angela is truly the queen of crafty details so I must share a few of her efforts. She thought of everything!
This picture represents hope for me. I love to look at it. It humbles me and reminds me to slow down, live in the now, and love on those I love. Our dear friends Josh & Courtney lost their baby boy in April. I think it was a combination of my love for them and my love for my own children that created such an overwhelming, indescribable aching in my heart when I received that news. Any words I try to use to express that feeling simply falls short. For a week Quyen & I grieved with them before we were able to go be with them in Seattle and celebrate Kailen's life. It was a devastating day full of heartbreak as anyone can imagine but also it brought to the surface for me a deep joy that I seem to lose sight of now and then. I have been blessed by this incredible group of friends. They all came into my life with Quyen. Josh in fact was the one who introduced us. For 12 years they have been there for every part of our relationship and life together. We always make it a point to most all of us come together at least few times a year. Although it's not as often as I would like it is always the best company I could ever ask for. To have us all together in one place in support of Josh & Courtney was just really special. As the afternoon came to a close and the reception wrapped up Josh had requested us all to write messages to Kailen on the above pictured blue balloons. We stepped out into the glorious spring sunshine and after a few words from his parents we sent our blessings floating up to Kailen in the brilliant blue of eternity. Hope.
