Little Naomi

When we lived in Idaho and had Penny, we lived so close to the hospital, Kevin threatened to make us walk there when it was time to have the baby. I shot that idea down-- and then spent a couple hours walking the halls of the hospital after driving there.

Right now we're staying in an apartment about 3 blocks from the hospital in Beijing. By the time we would walk out to where we could find a cab, we would practically be halfway there. So the plan from the beginning was to walk to the hospital to have our little child.

So my mom arrived at about 11:30 PM-- and at 3:00 AM my contractions were about 5-6 minutes apart. They had been happening since earlier that afternoon/evening, and I jumped out of bed and started getting ready to go. I had shown my mom around the apartment, showing her how to work the stove, AC, water machine, etc. I drew her a nice map of the area so she could find her way to the hospital to come see us. I packed my hospital bag (which was basically everything I brought down to Beijing, minus Penny's toys and most of my clothes). Then I woke Kevin up and we left!

The walk to the hospital usually takes about 15 minutes, but it took us 30 this time. I checked into the hospital at 4:30, and then at 4:45, Naomi was born!!

We may have jumped the gun a little by getting to the hospital so early. We had a lot of time to kill.

Oh, did I not mention? She was born at 4:45 PM-- 12 hours after getting to the hospital. But it's not as bad as it sounds.

I was having contractions 5 minutes apart, but then they'd slow to 10 minutes apart. Then they'd speed up to 5 minutes, but then they'd go down to 10 again. Basically, if I was up and walking around the hospital, they would be 5 minutes apart, but if I went back to my room and sat or lay down, they'd slow down again. I asked if they wanted to send me home, but whenever they would check for the baby's progress, there was always enough progress to indicate that I'd eventually have the baby and might as well just stay there.

So I read Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughters (part of it). We watched "True Grit" (What a great movie! I love the characters, the story, AND the fact it was filmed in New Mexico). Penny and my mom came to visit us for lunch.

By the time 1:00 rolled around, labor had started to pick up, and it was time for the epidural. Getting an epidural isn't fun. I think the anesthesiologist's exact words were, "This will just be a mosquito bite. [prick] A BIIIIG mosquito bite." At the same time, my nurse was reattaching and fixing up my IV on my arm, and I got to experience two VERY intense contractions. Kevin let me squeeze his hand off while I just cried through it.

My doctor been checking on me throughout the day, and I was always happy that he was so patient. Yes, things weren't progressing quickly, but they were progressing, and we would just let nature run its course. At 3:00, since progress had been rather slow, my doctor came to discuss our options. He didn't want me to be in labor too long, because that can be stressful on the baby, and so we agreed that he would give me a dose of Pitocin. Then he checked my progress, and I was actually almost ready to push the baby out. So scrap the Pitocin idea. I was really happy with his willingness to accommodate the situation, rather than just go with the decision we had made.

So at 4:00, I pushed the baby out, and at 4:45, our little Naomi was born!

I was really fascinated by my new little girl. Soon I will know her better than I know most people on this earth, but right now I'm meeting a little stranger for the first time.

Kevin is wonderful with his new little daughter.

Naomi started sucking her thumb right away.

They bathed her right in our room.

Kevin and I decided that if she came out and had brown eyes, we'd get a chocolate cake. If she had blue eyes, we'd get cheesecake. We still don't know which color they are. They're lighter than Penny's super-dark eyes, but it's hard to say if they're blue. While we waited, we got a Black Forest cake. And I ordered cheesecake with my hospital dinner.

The room's AC didn't work up to my liking. As I was pushing, I looked around to see 10 people in the room at one point. It was stifling. Kevin waived a book to fan some air at me, and eventually they brought in an electric fan. It was much better, but it still felt stifling at times. So I just chose the pictures where I don't look especially sweaty. :)

Naomi's squished profile:
It was a long day for all of us, and we are so happy to have our little Naomi here with us!
Penny came to meet her little sister. So far she has been very gentle with the baby, and loves to give her kisses. She was a little over-enthusiastic when she wanted to hold her, but it's sweet to see her give meimei little kisses on the cheek.

One thing I miss while being here in the hospital is that I don't see Penny very much. I'm excited to go home soon to see my other little girl.
And one final picture of little Naomi to finish the post.