My Daughter Was Born

Here in Renton, today, at 12:20pm, my second child, Ava Charlotte, was born.

Megan and I went yesterday to the midwives at Valley Medical to get her checked out, but things were not too far along so we went home. Grandma Joy graciously agreed to watch Isaac yesterday evening so that if Megan did go into full labor then we could just go to the hospital.

So Isaac went with grandma and Megan and I went to The Landing, a newer shopping/restaurant/entertainment area here in Renton. We had some burritos at Mucho Burrito which were really great and the owner even through in some free queso and a churro for Megan after finding out we were about to have a baby.

Then we walked.

And walked. And walked.

We walked to Creative Mom Toys, walked and saw Tara (old friend from The Met) at Vino, walked to Shnoo Yogurt to enjoy some delicious frozen yogurt, walked to Dick's Sportings Goods, then eventually walked back to the car and went home. Things were not progressing much in terms of contractions or labor signs so we cozied up on the couch, watched a few episodes of Extreme Home Makeover and headed for bed.

Neither of us slept much last night. Megan didn't because she kept having to use the bathroom and I didn't because every move of Megan was a potential beginning of labor, meaning "Let's Go!". But we made it through the night.

We woke up sort of wondering, "what now?". We knew that yesterday Megan was already at 5cm so it couldn't be long. After slowly getting out of bed and a warm shower... they started. The contractions that is. We were all packed and ready to go so we headed to Valley Medical and called up the midwives to let them know we were coming. This was at about 10:30am.

We got to the birthing center triage rooms and Megan was already at 7cm with regular, strong contractions. The same midwife that delivered Isaac, Laura, was at our side again and did an amazing job as Megan progressed through labor.

It was a good thing I didn't blink because about 2 hours after being at Valley, Ava was born!

Megan did such an amazing job and even now is doing really well. Ava Charlotte was born at 12:20pm, weighing 7 lbs, 13 oz and 20.5 inches long. She is beautiful and healthy and we praise God for this amazing addition to our family. Isaac and the family will get to meet her soon.

The one thing I wish could happen is for my dad to see her. I miss him a lot. I know that he's watching over us. Ava will get to know him through us, our family, our friends. I truly am blessed with such an amazing family and friends to help us through all of this.