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The last time I posted I announced that we were having our fourth child.  A little bit has happened since that post.   I actually had started a post about my trip to New York with Zach, but now I am so very much in baby mode, I have to get right to that.  Sure, I thought about just linking to Hannah's blog, since she is much better about posting and has a great one regarding baby, but I thought I might get some grief for that. So, let's get down to it.

One of my dear friends -Hannah Broecker - offered to take some maternity pictures for me.  She is very humble about "not actually being a photographer," but she did an awesome job. She also has two-year old and three-month old daughters, so many thanks to her and her husband for giving up her Saturday morning and for being patient with my awkwardness.

When I was exactly 39 weeks pregnant, we met up at Biltmore on a beautiful, sunny, surprisingly warm day.  My children don't always love to be in pictures, but Hannah managed to get some good ones of all of us, plus some awesome individual ones of the kids.  Thank you, Hannah!

This is my favorite family picture.

I just can't make the heart shape.  Let's call it a pie slice.  Pie makes my belly big.

Pained by the picture with Mom

Zach is so photogenic.  How did this gene skip my children?

So that was our lovely Saturday, on December 5th.  Along comes Sunday, and my Braxton Hicks are kicking up. Monday, same thing.  When Zach came home from work, I told him, "My guess is Baby is coming today or tomorrow." But, as we may recall, I've been wrong before (I'm looking at you, Caelum). Zach very wisely advised me to go to bed early, just in case the baby was heading (literally) on out.  Zach put the kids to bed, but I was asleep before them.

I woke up around 1 AM with contractions.  Real ones. But they were very spread out, so I stayed in bed, trying to sleep between them.  At 10 to 3, I texted my Mom to let her know what was going on.  She texted right back, saying they were getting in the car.  At 4, I finally got out of bed to take a bath.  At that point, Zach woke up and was apprised of the exciting situation.  

After my bath, the contractions were closer.  Zach made me some tea and toast and I labored, labored, labored.  My parents arrived before 7, and the boys were up and so excited.  They had breakfast and I would pop into our bedroom to breathe through a contraction.  The boys were so sweet, unphased, and supportive.  They would rub my back and check on me, but otherwise they were content to make paper airplanes with Grandpa.   I mean, look at these sweet faces:

 

Esmé shrieked with delight and ran all over the house, when she finally woke up around 8.  She was excited by our visitors and all the activity. My favorite memory of her on that morning was when the contractions were getting crazy.  I was in my room on my hands and knees and she crawled under me and said, "Doggy.  Woof!"  

Zach was great throughout that long morning and saw that it was time to go to the hospital.   My goal had been to stay home as long as possible, but the siren call of the birth tub at the hospital was very alluring.  We decided to head to the hospital around 8:30.  Thanks to Grandpa, who took the day off, Gramma was able to come with us to the hospital. 

Mission is an awesome hospital, but no matter where you are, the check-in process stinks.  No one likes to sit on a hard hospital bed while being monitored for 20 minutes.  At least I don't.  I was checked and told I was around five or six centimeters.  I was also told that my doctor wasn't going to be able to do the delivery, as she was the only one at our little family practice that day.  Fortunately, the resident doctor was great and I liked her from the start.

Finally, all checked in and settled in the "Waterworld" room around 9:45,  I hopped in the tub.  Two contractions later I was out of it.  I needed to push!  Everyone came running in and they checked me again...ten centimeters.  I pushed a little and then told them to break my waters (that's previous experience serving me).  When they did, they saw some meconium, so of course three more people needed to be in the room in case the baby didn't cry right away and they had to suction.  A few pushes later, and the baby was born, crying before the body was out.

I took a look at her, and saw we had another girl.  She was handed to me and I told Zach, "It's a girl!" We knew she would be named Eva, but the middle name, Claire, would come later.  It was a great delivery: definitely the fastest active labor phase I've ever had.  And we were so happy that she was perfectly healthy and fiesty, right from her first cry.

So happy!

Daddy finally gets to hold his daughter, two hours later. I'm selfish.

Looking rosy and beautiful

My second littlest baby, but still over a pound heavier than Owen.

Gramma (aka my doula) holds Eva

After a good nursing session, a delicious lunch from BiscuitHead (thanks, Mom!), and calling the kiddos to tell them they had a baby sister, we were moved to the recovery room.  It was beautiful.  It had a ridiculous view of the mountains and was so clean and spacious.  Later that afternoon, my FAVORITE thing: big brothers and sister get to meet new baby.  Right away, Owen washed his hands and asked to hold her.  He's such a pro. 

Caelum has also figured out the big brother thing.  He was so sweet and gentle with the baby.

Esmé handled everything surprisingly well.  She held the baby for about two seconds and then said, "All done."  But she has grown to love little Eva and has since named all her babies Eva.  She changes their diapers, nurses them, and pushes them in her stroller.  I have got to record how she says, "Eva."  It is pretty sweet.

Grandpa, probably tired out of his mind after a middle of the night road trip and watching my three big ones all day, enjoys his 17th grandchild.

We spent that night in the hospital and all of the nurses were great.  I don't love being in the hospital, but it was one of our best experiences.  The beautiful sunrise over the mountains helped, though the picture doesn't do it justice.

The next day, Gramma brought the kids for another visit and they settled on the bed to watch "Dinosaur Train." The hospital staff brought extra food for so we could all eat lunch together, and Zach and I had our special "celebration lunch," which was actually a delicious steak.  

 

After our sweet family left, the nurses really expedited our discharge process because they knew we were ready to get home.  Eva passed all her various tests, and pooped like a champ all day.  By 3 o'clock, we were on our way out.  

All set to go, in her new cozy carseat

Caelum helping Daddy carry in Eva

Esmé holding her baby, while Daddy holds his

Gramma with a very Caelum-looking Eva

A very realistic peek into the days following her birth: tired mama in a robe, four kids crowded on the bed, one brushing his teeth

 

I am so grateful for anther child.  She is such a blessing and a lovely part of our family. I'm also thankful for a great hospital, wonderfully helpful grandparents, and sweet kiddos who love and adapt easily.  And of course, extra thankful for Zach, who was so kind and encouraging and continues to take care of everything in such a selfless way.  Merry Christmas to me!  And you, of course.  Look forward to my next post, which will feature pictures of Eva by another talented Hannah...

A sweet sleep smile