Our Birth Story

Well, it was a long, hard 15 hours, but we finally brought Hannah into the world. We chose to induce after Kathy was several days overdue, but it made for a long day. We checked into the hospital at 5:00 am, and she made it into the world by 7:50 that evening. It took all day for Kathy to get to 5 cm dillated, but once she did, it only took an hour and a half before Hannah was here. Four contractions, and we had a baby! She weighed 6 lbs 12 oz and was 19 and 3/4 inches long. She has LONG skinny legs, hands, feet and toes. She loves to be held (who wouldn't??), and she loves to nurse. She was back to her birthweight by 7 days out, although Kathy calls her the 'barracuda' because she has been a little tough on her! We are really enjoying having a baby around again, although we miss our sleep. She did sleep for 6 hours for 2 nights in a ROW (we thought we were dreaming - don't worry - the doc said let her sleep!), but then she was back to only 4 hours the next night. Haley is doing so well with her. She has been extremely gentle, and after a week of trying to find her bearings, she is back to her old self again. She helps change diapers by throwing old diapers away and she helps "pat" Hannah on the back to burp her. It's so interesting how instinctual "parenting" is - she uses that same 'motherese' tone to her voice when she talks to her that adults use, and she says the same kids of things to her that I would. She told Carl the other night that the thing she was happiest about that day was her baby sister Hannah. How cute!!!!