The Clan Update

Ava Lily McCallum

7 Ibs. 10 oz.

Born May 19th 2007 at 9:50am

64 cm Long, 32 cm Head Circumference

3 Big Pushes and she was here.

As I am sure most of you know by now, we have finally welcomed our bambino into the world and she is the most precious little girl I have ever laid eyes on. She is stunning and beautiful and simply put is breathtaking.

The Details....

After Fridays appointment, Dana and I left a little disappointed that after stripping my membranes, labour didn't start immediately. After going home and calling the hospital to see if we could get an induction for Saturday and turned down we were even more disappointed (long story short- I wanted a specific doctor). So after some calming words from my mom and Dana's, we went home to spend a relaxing night just the three of us. We went for a walk, ice cream, watched a movie, had a bath, and went to bed at about 11:30. I should say Dana did, I on the other hand couldn't sleep and instead went and sat out on our deck to talk to our baby. I told my belly of all the beautiful things I was looking at that very moment (the stars, night lights, glows in the distance....). I also shared what an amazing person I thought they would be and how excited I was to share our lives together. I finally went inside at about 12:30 and went to bed.

At 5 am the next morning I felt the first set of contractions. It was a little harsher than my brackstin hicks, but not by much. By 6:30am they were consistant at 8 minutes apart and I thought rather be safe than sorry and woke Dana up to go get accessed by the doctor. As we were walking out the door the contractions had jumped to about 4 minutes apart. I could still manage them ok, breathing through them relatively fine. Once I got up to labour and delivery and was accessed at 5 cm dilated, the contractions were only 3 minutes apart and seemed manageable. Carleen arrived shortly after to offer additional support and what seemed like minutes later, I was in full labour with intense contractions only about 2 minutes apart. Everytime the doctor examined me I was expecting her to say, you are almost there with onlt 2 cm to go, but it seemed like a gradual climb to 8 cm dilated. At 8 cm, I had the intence urge to push, but of course the doctor advised I try and breathe through them- which was incredibly difficult. Finally at 9 cm, I had no choice. All I could remember the doctor saying was, "No, not yet Susie. We're only 9.... never mind we're crowning. Go ahead and push." It was incredibly painful, but at the same time thrilling to know that my body knew just what to do and when to do it. Ava was pushed out with only 3 pushes. It was so nice having labour support there this time around. Carleen was awesome at knowing what to say to calm me down when seeing red on the ground at my feet to rubbing back at all the right moments and helping me rock Ava down. Dana was incredibly strong as he was pretty much there to rip apart during the contractions. He held on to me so strong and heped me breathe through each contraction. I was also incredibly blessed to have an amazing doctor and nursing team. A special shout out to them, Dr. Frasinkski & Marilyn.

Kynan has adapted well to having a little sister and seems to want to dout on her every chance he gets. He of course missed us and I know this will be an adjustment for him, but I am confident he will be the best big brother.

Dana was a surprize in the mix and turns out that Ava LOVES her daddy. I mean loves. To the point that all I am really good for is nursing and the occasional cuddle. Dana has been rocking her, sleeping with her, walking her around the hospital. He is in love with her. Even on the car ride back home he kept asking me to check on her because she was just too quiet. Those two will be insperable.

That's it for now. Will keep you updated. I am now going to sleep while both babes are sleeping.

Goodnight.

And here is to dreams coming true.