bathing beauties

Giving Ella a bath has become a nice way to do something side-by-side with Avery.  Plastic tubby baby gets a bath first, and then Avery helps me wash little sister.  Then things generally end with Avery getting as wet as possible and washing her own arms and face and the floor and any other toy within arms reach.  It can seem like a lot of work, both in set-up and clean-up, but it's fun in the middle and nothing beats the smell of a freshly bathed baby.

her arrival

To say that Ella came as a surprise, one week early, wouldn't be quite accurate since I'd been expecting her to come every day for weeks.  All those practice contractions were getting so tiresome and uncomfortable, but they must have been doing some good.  When this little girlie decided to come, she was ready for a quick exit.

Early that Monday morning, around 5am, I felt my first really painful contraction and knew that something was different this time.  I waited around upstairs with Levi for a bit, finding that they were coming about 10 minutes apart and not getting any easier.  After only a few like that we met my Mom downstairs to start gathering the last minute things we hadn't yet packed.  In that short amount of time, the pain felt like it wasn't easing up between contractions and, as far as I could tell, the actual contractions were now starting to come only a couple minutes apart.  We had been debating whether we'd go to Saskatoon or Kindersley, but by that point it seemed pretty clear that I was quickly moving through labour and shouldn't risk a 2 hour drive.  My labour with Avery was 6.5 hours and rumour had it that the second baby comes quicker.

Levi and I hopped in the van and took off.  I put on the new Feist album, loud, closed my eyes and braced myself through each contraction.  They were changing fast and feeling more and more intense and scary as we drove.  Levi made it to the hospital in Kindersley at 7am in a record 25 minutes (usual is 45 min).  We were sent straight to the delivery room and I was already at 10 cm and nearly ready to go.  I shamelessly begged for the epidural several times, but it was just too late.

My doctor and nurses were super motivating and encouraging, and Levi was the best.  It was such an amazing experience, although scary and intense at the time, and I feel so proud of myself for delivering without drugs when I was so terrified at the idea.  When Ella was born, just one hour after we pulled up, it felt so surreal to hear "it's a girl" again and to know that it was all over and we had another daughter. 

Her name felt just right.  We've liked the name Ella since long before we had babies, but felt especially good choosing it because it's a small part of her Great Oma's name, Petrenella.  We hope Ella will always feel honored to carry a part of Oma's name.  Ella's middle name, Diane, is my middle name.

Our overall experience was so positive and we were able to go home with Ella the next morning.  Introducing her to Avery, who was waiting at home with Gramma, was very sweet and she's been very gentle and kind to Ella ever since.  She makes the cutest comments about her baby sister, like "Ella's my best friend".  We feel pretty lucky to have these two precious girlies in our lives.

five days

Day One

 Day Two

 Day Three

 Day Four

Day Five

baby girl

Ella Diane Simpson

Born this morning at 8am.

7lbs, 2 oz, 19.5" long

39 weeks

It is getting harder and harder to think about anything but this baby coming.

by the river

It was a good day to head out on a walk down by the river today.  Sunny and crisp and still no snow!  Crunchy leaves and cozy sweaters!  All that we'd forgotten was the makings of a campfire roast.   

Last family shot before baby makes four?  Levi did his best to encourage labour by taking the bumpiest route and I definitely felt as sensitive as the princess and the pea, but alas ... a full day of inconsistently spaced practice contractions seems to be only that once again.

thanksgiving

Enjoyed this weekend ...

• a quick imperfect project to celebrate the season
• turkey dinner, cooked by Mom, which makes savouring all the easier
• pumpkin pie (more than once)
• the return of knitting season and the comforting sounds of clicking needles
• leftover turkey sandwiches
• golden sunny days and colorful leaves ... and no snow yet

Happy Thanksgiving!