Twelve Days Early – Sadie Louise

After weeks of swearing that the baby was coming early I was taken by surprise when, Sunday night, I started having contractions – thirteen days before my due date.  They started right after dinner and were fairly weak.  I was convinced they were more of the false labor pains I had been having, off and on for a more than a week, so I wasn’t surprised when they stopped around midnight.

I was surprised a hour later (around 1:30 a.m. ) when I awoke in full blown labor.  Strong contractions every 10 mins.  We called our friend and old neighbor Robin and asked if she could come watch Eliie (Robin had been put on alert in case we needed her) and she made it in record time.

By 3:30 I had a call into the midwife and we were headed to the hospital.  My contractions were stronger and closer together and by the time my midwife checked me at 4 a.m. I was 8 cm.  She told me we would have a baby in about a hour.  Not off by much, I started pushing at 5:10, my water broke at 5:15 and Sadie was born at 5:20 – less than two hours after we got to the hospital.  Sadie was born 8lbs, 8oz and 21.5 inches long and when I look at her I am still surprised that all of that fit inside me.

Just minutes after she was born

Long Sadie

It was such a different birth from Ellie, only Ken, the midwife the nurse and I.  Thanks to my prenatal yoga classes and vocal toning I felt calm and focused.  We were then in plenty of time (not 14 mins before she was born like with Ellie) and most of all there wasn’t loads of doctors standing around waiting to whisk her away moments after she was born.  We actually got to have cuddles and to look at her but most of all time take in the fact that she was actually here with us.

It is still hard to grasp and in some ways we are like first time parents.  We haven’t had to visit Sadie in a special nursery, she has been with us the whole time.  She is the most amazing shade of pink.  So pink I was worried that she was over heating but was quickly told by the nurses that she is the color she should be, a color we never saw on Ellie.  Feeding and behaving just like a new born should I am amazed everyday what a star she is.

Ellie has been the best big sister anyone could ask for.  She just loves Sadie, wants to kiss on her and is worried if she is crying or upset.  Always wanting to help change her, pick out her clothes and let us know if she thinks Sadie needs something.

Proud big sister Ellie

We made it home yesterday, mid-day and have been settling into life.  An amazing new life were every day she and Ellie do something new that makes us smile and proud to be Mum and Dad.

Daddy bringing her home

Settling into life

Photos can be seen here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/collyd/sets/72157616185367551/detail/