Erin's Arrival

Sarah and I have had quite an adventure over the last week. Last Friday we scheduled Sarah to be induced at midnight on Jan 6th, because it looked like Erin was trying to put as much distance between her and 2008 as possible and we needed to help her get on her way. That evening contractions started on their own and continued for 4 days but never progressed far enough for us to go to the hospital. It was exhausting for Sarah, so our doctors brought Sarah in for monitoring on Tuesday afternoon, and decided to admit her after seeing that Erin’s heart rate would drop every time Sarah had a contraction. They were worried that Erin could not tolerate labor and admitted Sarah for immediate monitoring. It turns out that Sarah has what one nurse described as “a ridiculously long umbilical cord”, and our little acrobat had managed to wrap it around her neck 3 times!

After a short stay in the hospital the doctors made the call that a caesarean was needed. It was not what we had planned, but we realized this was just the first of countless times we will need to go with the flow as far as Erin is concerned. This week has been a not-so-subtle lesson that we are no longer in control! I was able to be there when Erin entered to world. One of the photos below is a self-portrait of me excited before going into the delivery room. Grandpa said in an e-mail that I now understand why this is called a “blessed event". It was that and more. What an overwhelming experience to be surrounded by the love of friends and family in the run-up to her birth, and then be confronted by this little ball of wonder who will call me Dad! We have enjoyed this precious time with her these last few days as we all get acquainted. She and mommy are both doing well.