Chloe's Birth Story: Picture Version

Talking to Gretchen, my midwife, and putting in my first 20 minutes on the "machines"

After taking a walk around the maternity ward and trying to figure out when/how long the contractions were...without much success. :-/

We never were able to measure them.

(When I was at about 8 cm my sister started unofficially trying to track what she saw because that's about the time the contractions got a bit more intense,

but by that time I was too distracted to focus on timing). Spending some time on the ball...the ball is part of what saved me from a cesarean!!!

Thanks to Claire Stanely!!!!Support for my support.

We asked my sister, April, to come be the photographer/videographer of Chloe's birth.

She ended up doing much more than that as Rob realized that he needed support in his role of support. :) This ended up being one of my most preferred ways to deal with a contraction (but towards the end April and my mom took turns pushing on the pressure points on my lower back, which helped immensely, and Rob couldn't do it because I was holding onto him) :)She actually came out!!!

I kept saying between pushes: "I don't think she'll come out". :-/

We were both exhausted!!!

She was so quiet and alert.They had to take her and clean out her mouth because she was turning blue. Being weighed.

She didn't like being meddled with by all the medical staff!Holding Daddy's hand in the bassinet...I wish it weren't blurry. :-/Another darn nurse poking and prodding...at least she had daddy to hold her and make it better!!Her footprints.

Being admired by daddy and papa.Grandma and Papa adoring their second new grandchild of the day!!!Saying thanks to Aunt April for all her help!!
Cuddle time with Daddy

Grandma and Grandpa came to meet their precious new granddaughter.
Getting to know each other

First time in the car seat, getting ready for her first car ride...

Heading Home!!!Chloe's first size picture...2 days old.