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Wednesday, September 18, 2013

A Baby Story: Holland Joy

We welcomed a special little gift on September 9.

We are overwhelmed at the miracle her life represents.

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And that God chose us to be her parents.

And will continue to bless us and stretch us as she grows.

She sleeps quite often.

Except for last night when she decided to be nocturnal.

And eats quite often.

She's already almost up a full pound from when we left the hospital.

She is mellow.

And sweet.

And quiet.

Her flaky newborn skin is becoming less flaky and more perfect.

Her umbilical cord fell off yesterday morning.

Her smell is my favorite smell in all the universe.

She has long eyelashes and her daddy's almond shaped eyes.

She has my lips.

She looks like Kayla.

But has Ashlyn's chin.

She was the smallest of the three girls.

The true baby of our family.

And this is the story of the day she was born.

HollandJoyTEXT

I was a week overdue.

And had been having contractions for a few days.

So strong, in fact, that we went to hospital on Sunday morning, the 8th.

The nurse checked us in and I was only 2 cm dilated.

The contractions stopped and we walked the halls a bit.

My doctor was not on call that day so they sent us home.

Not before scheduling an induction for 7:30 am the next morning.

This made going home a little easier.

As soon as we walked in our door, contractions started again.

I timed them with an iPhone app.

They were mild and far apart.

We watched the Niner season opener.

My crazy friend Julie drove up from Orange County.

And we waited.

And tracked.

And I stayed up all night.

They got less mild and less far apart.

And by 2 AM, I wanted to throw my phone and that app out the window.

I became worried that I wouldn't make it until morning.

But I was hoping to avoid the induction.

So I made it a goal to wait until 7:30 and prayed for progress.

I made it.

And have never been so happy to see the sun rise.

Our friend Margaret came over.

She and Julie stayed with the girls and got them off to school and we headed to the hospital.

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I had the same nurse as the day before.

Her name was Angie and I loved her.

She rolled out the induction kit as I was having a contraction.

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She decided to check and I was 5-6 cm dilated.

The homework paid off.

She yelled at me for not coming in sooner.

We happily said goodbye to the induction kit and hello to my best friend, the anesthesiologist.

I got an epidural right away and then we waited.

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Family and friends came in and out.

We chatted and passed the time quite peacefully.

They all went to lunch while I rested.

She arrived fast.

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Which I was thankful for.

Dr. Diaz barely made it in time.

At 2:10 pm I started pushing.

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And at 2:54 pm we welcomed her into our world.

A world that will never be the same.

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Family and friends came in to meet her.

They were as overwhelmed as we were.

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Checking her fingers and toes.

And her sweet squishy face.

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Rejoicing that she arrived safely.

And was healthy.

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A little bit later, Margaret and Kim brought the big sisters in to see her for the first time.

They brought her tulips.

"Because of her name, mama."

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Ashlyn asked if she was a doll.

Kayla wanted to know when the umbilical cord would fall off.

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They are smitten and sweetly obsessed.

We all are.

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We love you, Holland Joy.

You have been prayed for by so many.

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You are a gift from God.

We are so grateful for your life.

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And we can't wait to see you grow.

12 comments:

  1. Woohoo! She's gorgeous just like her mama and her sisters. Praying for you all as you transition to being a family of five. xoxo

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  2. love it!!! what a little miracle. making my ovaries itch a little for another one :)

    blessing upon blessing~

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  3. So excited she is here.
    And that I don't make her cry.
    Yet, at least ;)
    Much love, Jess

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  4. Congratulations! she is beautiful!

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  5. beautiful! love her so much. god is so very good.

    XO

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  6. Congratulations! Holland is a beauty <3

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  7. I like her. I am so thankful to get to hold her that day, and can't wait to hold her more in years to come. Holland, you are very, very loved.

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  8. Loooooooove! Birth stories are pretty much the best ever. She is a beauty and obviously so loved. I'm just thrilled for your family. When my third came, I thought of that verse, "in his fullness we all have received grace upon grace." Holland is a perfect example of grace upon grace. ❤️

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  9. Congratulations! She is beautiful and precious. Enjoy your little one.

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  10. happy tears. love her and you so much.

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  11. I am so glad I waited to read this until I had lots of time. So many happy tears! So, so happy for you guys. :) She is perfect!

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  12. oohh, love.
    look at all the people surrounding you and your family. you are blessed. in so many ways, blessed. :)

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