Baby Elena
Our baby Elena is here, six days early. What a wonderful and beautiful baby. She has been asleep most of the day but we have enjoyed every minute with her.
Birth is a miracle and I am glad to be part of it today. Carol was in the shower when I woke up this morning. This was unusual in her daily routine so I suspected something special was about to happen. When I talked with her she told me today was the day. The baby was coming.
I got ready for the day thinking it would probably be this afternoon. After I got out of the shower, Carol let me know it was going to be soon. We called our midwife Chris at around 9:00 am. We also called her parents to help with the girls while I attended Carol. We were having a home birth. This is actually our second home birth. Mila who is now two years old was born at Carol's parents' house where we lived for a short time. Gracia who is five was born at a hospital, although a different hospital because we didn't quite make it on time to the one we've chosen.
Carol's parents came and then Chris. It was 10:00. (Our midwife Chris who we dearly love has helped mothers give over 1,500 births.) She came in with a couple of bags and started laying what she needed for the birth. She was cool and calm as always and gave encouragement to Carol. She massaged her back and kept encouraging her to "let the contraction flow, don't fight it." She was careful not to assume Carol was fighting it so she was gentle with her.
Grandpa was playing with the girls in the living room while Grandma, Chris and I were in the bedroom with Carol. I was getting warm blankets, getting water to drink, offering encouragement, etc. At one point, I said, "This is how they did it in the old days...except I wouldn't be here." Chris replied, "You should be boiling water. That's how they did it." I asked why that was and she said, "To keep the dads busy." Nice.
Carol is a brave and tough woman. She is so determined when she sets her mind to it. She was enduring through all the pain and was smiling in between. She felt that a home birth will provide the best experience for her and our baby so she's doing all of this for that.
It wasn't long after Chris got everything ready that the contractions started to get stronger and longer. Chris asked me if I'd like to catch the baby and I said, "Of course." So she told me to get ready. Not five minutes after that, Elena was in my arms.
I cannot tell you how wonderful that felt to hold a new baby in your arms. It is life. I handed her to Carol as soon as she could sit up and there it was: mother and daughter. They have been together for nine months now. It was great to see each other, six days early.
Elena Maria Lee
January 16, 2007 11:05 a.m.
21 inches tall
7 lbs 2 oz
