Lily's Birth.

Sunday, around noon, I started feeling some "stomach cramps" and thought that maybe I'd eaten something that disagreed with me. Your father and I were at Ikea, picking up dressers for our bedroom as we had rearranged it so that it could accommodate your dresser/changing table. Your daddy took me home and I went to bed, took it easy for the rest of the afternoon while he went out and bought the "Daddy Chair." Then around 6pm, you decided to make it very clear that you were on your way (since I obviously wasn't getting the message) and, while snuggling on the bed with Mark, I felt your water brake. Allyn, who was staying with us for a month, had just gotten onto the phone with Erich and while I went to the toilet, your dad went to let her know what was going on. I called my mom, dad, friend Elizabeth and Vikki. Told them what was going on, but assured them it would probably be "hours before this baby was born". I slipped into the bathtub for a bit, wanting to get cleaned up and figuring I’d enjoy an hour or so of quiet laboring in the warm water. Within 10 minutes, my contractions were about three minutes apart and lasting about a minute long and getting incredibly intense. I moved back to the bed, wrapped in my big blue robe that once belonged to my Great Aunt Laura. Your dad was with me, talking quietly and stroking my back through each contraction. I, at one point, turned to him and said, "I can’t do this." He smiled and replied, "You are doing this." I shot back, "I’m afraid" and lost myself in another surge. Once I said I was afraid, it was like an amazing release and I became somewhat less panicked about what was happening to my body. Allyn called the birth center and spoke with Roberta (our midwife) and then handed the phone to me. She listened to one of my contractions, and I remember hearing her say to someone "Oh yeah, we’re going to have to go back" (apparently she’d already delivered a baby that day). Roberta asked to meet us at the Best Start Birth Center at 8:30, which was in about an hour and a half.

We had ordered a pizza from Woodstocks just before my water broke, so after the extremely freaked out pizza delivery lady left (she let Allyn sign on Mark’s credit card because he was still with me) we packed that up and headed off. We had to stop on the stairs as I dropped down to have another contraction, then one in the dining room and a final BIG one outside the garage door, where I sat down and couldn’t move for what seemed like hours. I even remember seeing a car drive by and thinking, "Gee, it must look really weird with a woman sitting on the ground, wrapped in a blue robe, wearing tennis shoes (no socks) and with a man crouched over her." The drive went smoothly enough, with your father obviously trying to avoid any bumps, potholes and whatnot. I remember it being very quiet… strangely quiet, although this was probably the labor speaking.

When we arrived at the Center, I was already dilated to 7-8 centimeters and well on our way to pushing. Allyn got on the phone and started calling all that I wanted there, telling them to hurry. I remember feeling hazy, already in transition. Your father tells me that Roberta was surprised by how far along I already was and stepped out to call our nurse, Ruth. Insanely fast and furious, I had a little trouble with my brain catching up with my body. But with some AMAZING people there to help us through – namely: Allyn, who flew in from Chicago for the event; long time friend Vikki; Elizabeth, who just had a beautiful daughter of her own about two months ago; Elaine’s mom Janis; and birth center staff Roberta and Ruth – all went remarkably well. I labored on my knees for a while, with my arms and head up on the birth ball. But, before long, my legs started feeling really weak and trembling with the effort of being on my knees. I went to roll to my side and somehow ended up on my back. You daddy was up above my left shoulder, speaking words of encouragement and stroking me. Vikki was on my right, helping me hold up a leg. Allyn was holding my left leg, my foot planted in her neck (I was concerned about that…) as she applied hot towels to my perineum to lower the chance of tearing. Your grandma Janis was standing to my right, holding a mirror so I could watch while Roberta sat by quietly. Ruth took notes as Roberta reported to her what was happening. Neither had to do much as my crew of girls and your daddy were AMAZING. I didn’t have to push for long; you were ready to come. I’d push real hard, breathing down and out and then pause to moan "baby come out." There was a lot of laughter and joy as you were born... and (admittedly) a lot of noise. I remember thinking that each pause between pushes was very lengthy, but your daddy says I only paused for 30 to 60 seconds. I saw your head as you were crowning, and though I was getting tired, the sight of your sparse hair pushing out at me gave me a new burst of energy. You slipped out easily after your head popped out. One more push had the bulk of your body out and Roberta told me to "reach down and take your baby" and I slid you up to my chest. Yes, childbirth was painful, but never unbearable. It was so much more joyful than I expected and so perfect. Daddy and I were so wonderfully supported and loved throughout that the Birth Center staff had little to do. You were in my arms by 10:03 pm after your daddy had joyfully announced that you are a girl. He cut your cord and put you into your first diaper (after you peed and pooped on me!) as I got cleaned up. Six pounds, 14 ounces and 20 inches long.

The room got even more crowded once we were ready to great our fans! Grandpa Rich, Aunt Rebekah and Uncle Chris, and Grandpa Steve all came in for pizza and adoration of the newborn! It was the most amazing experience we ever had… so wonderful, so beautiful, and so perfect you are. We loved you from the minute we laid eyes on you (well before that actually). I had a burst of energy after you came out and wanted to go home right away, but was bleeding pretty heavily and decided to stay put until morning.

We left the birth center at 7:30 the next morning and ran by Dr. Joe's to get you your first chiropractic adjustment (and to get me back in place after my hips doing such an insane move…). Then home to the loving arms of friends and family where you will forever be welcome!

Lily’s stats:
Born on June 22, 2003
at 10:03 pm
after only 4 hours of very intense labor
6 lbs 14 oz
20 inches