March 2006

March 13th -- Tried to get all of the last minute stuff done today - like a photo shoot, editing the photos, getting the photos online, washing the truck, packing my bags, loading the truck, getting to the hospital on time. You know, the usual. We got checked in on time and they started monitoring Lauren's vitals. They gave Beth some medicine to soften her cervix around 9pm. The cot they had for me to sleep on was actually pretty good and we both rested fairly well.

March 14th -- I woke up around 5am. I slept pretty good last night, but the nurse woke me up each time they checked on Beth. I decided to run to the house to get a quick shower and some breakfast before they induced labor--and...the coolest thing is that if you leave between between 11pm and 6am you park for FREE! I made it back to the hospital just before the nurse started the petosin drip at 7am. Everything progressed really smoothly until about 9:30am when the contractions got unbearable and we had to call in the anesthesiologist, Dr. Sanjay. Mary had to leave the room while they inserted the needle. Right after the epidural, Mary went to get lunch for me. However, Beth's cervix had other ideas for lunch and decided to go from 3cm to 10cm in about an hour. The nurses made her hold off on pushing until the doctor could arrive. After pushing through about five contractions, we welcomed Lauren Elisabeth Lewis into the world at 11:11am. Mary just barely made it back for the birth (although she wasn't in the room) and George came by, too. Lauren weighed 7lb 2oz and has got to be the most beautiful baby I've ever seen--I am really objective about these things--I can recognize an ugly baby when I see one!!!

I got to watch Lauren get her first bath. She liked the water okay, but the drying was a little bit annoying. She doesn't cry very much at all--right now. I'm not complaining. After the bath, they transfered us to room 747 on the 7th floor. The room is small with taup and olive paint. The equipment is, shall I say, dated. I have been rather underwhelmed by the state-of-the-artness of the facilities at Seton. Oh well, the staff has been, for the most part, really great. Our nurse during the delivery, Catherine, was fantastic. She is expecting in October and asked Beth some questions about pregnancy. She was really nice and very attentive. Our doctor, Shannon Abikhaled, could not have been any better (although I will say she didn't have to work very hard during the delivery phase!!!). So a big thanks to all of you who made this delivery possible.
March 15th -- Lauren has been sleeping peacefully this morning. I wish I could say the same for Beth. She can't take her eyes off of Lauren long enough to sleep. We didn't sleep so well last night, but that is to be expected. Lauren is nursing well and seems to be in perfect health. Thank you, God, for giving us this angel.

The first day of the rest of my life. There are no words to describe the feeling that hits you when your first child is born. You can't prepare yourself. There is nothing else like it. It is very humbling to know that my feelings about my daughter are only a fraction of what God feels for us. Thanks to God for giving us a beautiful, healthy bably girl. Thanks for all of the prayers and well-wishes (and dinners!). I'd also like to thank the staff at Seton Medical Center, most notably Dr. Shannon Abikhaled and our labor nurse, Catherine.

March 16th -- We brought Lauren home today. Mother, baby, and I have tried to get settled in. It's SO nice to sleep in your own bed. Lauren likes to sleep! This is great news for mommy and daddy.

March 17th -- Happy St. Patricks Day! This was Lauren's original due date.

March 25th -- Well, the last week was a bit rougher than anticipated. Beth was extremely ill with mastitis and Lauren had some tummy trouble to boot. IÂ missed a day of work and so I'm a bit behind there. Some school kids getting off of the bus tried to vandalize our stork in the yard. Fortunately Mary, the principal and #1 mom-in-law, caught them red-handed. Needless to say, the kids now give a pretty wide berth to our yard. Everyone is better now, thank goodness. Grandma Ledbetter (George's mom), Tina, John, and Lesa came by to visit us today. It was really good to see them. I can't wait for my mom and dad to come down and see Lauren (hint, hint). The weather outside is beautiful today--72 and sunny.