Thursday, August 21, 2008

Anouncing Ayla Christina Thompson, 8-18-08

She has arrived !!!
6 lbs 13 oz
17.5 inches























Daddy's hair, eyes, arms, toes and calm demeanor.
I say she can sleep through anything and the only time she gets upset is when she needs to eat :)
Mommy's nose, mouth, fingers and honesty.
Brett says she is quick to let us know what she wants :)
As we wrote every post this is the one we have been waiting for - she is the most precious wonderful blessing.


The play by play...
Monday 8-18-08

9:30 am:
I am examined by my OB during my scheduled weekly check-up who tells me I am currently 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced (no surprise since I was 2 cm the week before). At this point Brett and I think she will arrive in the next couple of days.


12:00:
I had been feeling some cramping in my abdomen, back and legs for about two weeks, Braxton Hicks. However, these cramps were a little stronger and longer - about an hour apart, contractions????


1:00:
Brett, me and my sister go to the supermall to do a little walking around to relieve some of my cramps - yep at this point I still am not convinced they are contractions -the joys of a first time mom, the constant unknowns of pregnancy.

3:00
By now my cramps (nope not convinced yet - pretty sure though) are about 30 minutes apart.

5:00
Ok, ok. I am now convinced they are contractions as I am on my knees kneeling over my couch moaning in pain that these are in fact contractions and I am in the beginning stages of labor. I bounce on my exercise ball between each one (about 15- 20 mins apart) I am assuming we will leave for the hospital maybe around midnight. Little did I know that Ayla was more than ready and would arrive before midnight.

7:45
I tell Brett that we should head to the hospital because they are coming at 7 mins apart. We were told from the beginning by doctors, birth class, friends - "don't get there too early, you would rather be at home" so we decide to wait and see if I have four more before 8:30. I have four within the next 20 minutes. The ride to hospital is a blur - I can't speak for Brett but I know it was extremely stressful for him.

8:30 - A Guardian Angel sent by Grandpa Darrell...
We arrive at Valley Medical Center into the ER. My dad sent us an angel here on earth. I rolled into the packed ER on my wheelchair in the most intense pain. The admit people were taking their time and said I had to wait for someone from the birth center to come down and meet me. The hospital's security guard (a big strong black man) says we aint waitin - come on baby I will get you there real quick. He takes the wheelchair and rushes me through the hospital into the birth center. He doesn't even let the nurse who meets him at the birth center entrance take me to my room - he does. He helps me onto my bed and gives me a hug and huge encouragement.

about 9:00
From here on out the times are approximate, as it is all a blur at this point :) The nurse examines me and I am dilated to 5.5 cm. My OB is on call until 10:oo so nurse informs me the on call OB from my doctors office will deliver my baby. I tell her I don't want any narcotic pain meds, just an epidural. She tells me the anestesiologist is on his way. Little did I know how ready my little girl was to come into this world.

about two hours later WITHOUT epidural (11:00-ish)
The nurse comes in to examine me and I am already at 9.5 cm - none of us, especially the medical staff were expecting me to progress this fast. My contractions are so intense I feel like I am going to pass out. Then, I don't know which stressful piece of news she tells me first, that the Dr. is running late coming from Seattle or that the anesthesiologist might not make it to me before I deliver ! What, I say (more like scream) is "there is NO other anesthesiologist in this entire hospital who can help me?" Brett says "why did we even come to the hospital, no Dr. no epidural?"
Then, another miracle occcurs. Not, five minutes later the anesthesiologist appears at the door and is able to give me my epdural! And in another few minutes the Doctor is their breaking my water. He tells the nurse to keep an eye on me and let him know how I progress. Again, Ayla was ready because I look to my mom, sister and Brett and say "I feel nauseous" and then up comes my philly cheese steak I ate earlier when roaming the mall. The nurse runs to get the Dr. because this is a pushing mechanism and means Ayla is ready to arrive.
The Dr. comes back and is impressed with my pushing ability and says "you are better then the other lady about to deliver, I'll do you first" My competitive spirit doesn't die because I am in labor. I am very proud of both myself and my daughter. The question everyone has is will her birthday be 8/18 or 8/19 ???

11:55 pm:
Welcome, Ayla !!! She is beautiful and screaming. The clean her up and wrap her up and hand her to me. The most fullfilling, rewarding, amazing moment of my life. As I see Brett approaching me I see he feels the same way. A proud papa, Ayla immediately a daddy's girl.
















Write out of the womb. My sister being the future Doctor was right there to snap some amazing pictures (including the placenta which I will spare you the sight of - but amazing in its own right).











Our family of three...









































Feeling a little more refreshed...






















The greatest thing about bringing Ayla into this world is all the love she is surrounded by. From close family, to extended family, to all of our friends.







10 comments:

Belleme said...

Congratulations Thompsons! What an amazing story! We can't wait to meet her!

anne said...

She is absolutely perfect! I love the recap too...I think you'll appreciate being able to look back at this years from now. What a sweet little family! Congrats to the Thompson clan.

I'm still a bit disappointed that she wasn't named Helen. :)

samandpeteVDP said...

YAY! Welcome Ayla! She is beautiful...every bit the Thompson Pete and I imagined, SO blonde....in a good way. I'm in no way implying she's less than the smartest baby ever:)
Way to go Al, it sounds like quite the adventure. We can't wait to see you guys and meet baby Ayla in person. We are hopping on a plane in a couple hours, so we'll see ya soon!
Much love and many blessings to your new family of three!

Nicholas and Heidi Forrest said...

Congrats Alicia and Brett!!! Girls are the best. Enjoy these weeks.. it is tiring but they are soo sweet.. Nick and Heidi

John and Sarah Pell said...

She is adorable. We will be looking here often for updates so we can see your sweet little girl. Congratulations!! I agree with my sister when she says.."girls are the best" :)

Misty Carpinito said...

Congratulations!!!! She is beautiful! Can't wait to meet baby Ayla!

The Pells said...

What a beautiful girl! I LOVE the play-by-play, you'll appreciate looking back on that later, not that you'll ever forget it :) Interesting fact: Ayla has the same birthday as my sister, who delivered a baby in Haiti (who was named after her)on the very same day! We look forward to meeting adorable addition to the Thompson family.

Derrick Scheid said...

oh YAY! congrats you guys, she is so stinkin' cute, and we can't believe how much she looks like you. Have lots of fun with her! I'm impressed with you, Alicia, I hope ours comes as fast as Ayla did! Good job, way to go. -Biz and Derrick Scheid

Deb said...

amazing! thank you for sharing this. i was in tears reading your play by play, esp the angel! God Bless you all, hopefully i will see you all before i leave. :-)

kjg said...

Hey guys! Remember us? We happened upon your blog by way of the Pell's - and found out you had a baby! Congrats and we are happy for you. We loved reading your story. It's very similar to ours. Hopefully we can meet her some day and that you guys are doing well (and that you can meet Sam too).

the Goldsberry's