Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Welcome to the World Baby Girl!

Margaret Melissa Mannion arrived on 13 July 2009 at 10:32 pm. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and is 20 1/4 inches long. Currently, her eyes are blue and her hair looks strawberry blond. She's a great nurser, pretty good sleeper, and really resents being woken up or bothered during a nap. I guess we should place her in the redhead category based on temper alone!

Here's me as we kicked off the induction. As I mentioned in my Facebook status the other day, I was still wearing my wedding rings. Both other times my hands had swollen too much by about the 8th month to wear them anymore.
They started me at about 8:30 that morning. As always, it took a while. They gave me misoprostl (?) to ripen my cervix, and started the pitocin around 2. A couple hours later, I got my epidural, smoothest one yet, and my doctor broke my water. Boy, do I love epidurals. Unfortunately, right after that things got a little slow. My contractions weakened and became really irregular. I started to get really worried that we were heading for a c-section. I had no problem with the idea of a caesarean, I just didn't want to have to recover from one while chasing my other kids!

Fortunately, things picked up and around 8, my contractions intensified and regulated. Unfortunately, Maggie's heart rate would drop as I contracted. I was starting to think we were going to be 3 for 3 on cords around the neck. Fortunately, we shifted my postion, got into a good place, her heartbeat steadied and at about 10:15, I started pushing. 17 minutes later, Maggie was here.

This isn't a good picture of her, but I sure look happy to see her.
Turns out part of the reason things took so long was that Maggie was tring to come out a bit transverse. Her poor little head took quite a beating.
She recovered from it, though, and got a 9 on both Apgars.
Proud papa and his beautiful girl.
Still trying to be zen while being really mad about her first bath.
Look at thse cute sisters.
Our new and improved family.
Addie sweetly saying hi.
Chloe really was more excited than she seems to be in this shot.
See?

Addie was more excited about my big cup of icewater. Everytime Bracken brought the girls in, she would head straight to it. I'm so glad I got to bring that cup home!
Look at her! 36 hours old and already holding that little head up.
So now we're all home and doing well. I'm really feeling quite good, knock on wood. We'll see how the night goes.

19 comments:

lillysmum said...

Congrats Ruth! She is beautiful and I love her name.
Tara

Xana said...

So sweet, love the sister photos. You look fabulous.

Sandy said...

Congratulations!! She's beautiful! You look awesome - way to go, mama!

Lindsay said...

Congrats you guys! You and Bracken look so good with your 3 little girls!! Can't wait to meet her.

I love that bath picture--so precious.
We are happy to hear everything went smoothly and hope it continues to go that way during the "adjustment period" :)

Katie said...

Congratulations, she is beautiful!

Marci said...

Ruth, you look totally hot. How do you do that?

She is adorable. She makes me want to have another one... well, OK, she maybe not. But I oh so love brand new babies. Here's to a quick recovery and lots of sleep.

Ashley said...

Her hair does look fairly red in her pictures. What a doll! My boys can't get enough of looking at her. We'll have to see her soon! I'm glad you're home and doing well!!

Talk to you tomorrow.
Ashley

Trent and Amber said...

Congrats Ruth! she's beautiful and I'm so glad she's here and you're done being preggo! I love the pic of Chloe holding her, so sweet. You'll have to let me know how life with 3 girls goes since we'll be there in 3 months. :) Glad you're feeling good!

The Evers Family said...

She is so beautiful! You look amazing too Ruth! Congratulations!!

English1 said...

Congratulations, Ruth and Bracken! I love her name and she is cute as can be! Of course, you can't go wrong with red hair! Good luck in the coming days, although it sounds like your new babe is being very cooperative. :)

We love you guys (and miss seeing you!)!

Dorene Mills

Tanja said...

Way to go girl!! Another one out! Gotta love our good friend Epi!
She's adorable and I'm so excited for you guys.

Becca said...

Oh, you guys, she is beautiful! Congratulations, and I hope we get to see her in person soon!

Anonymous said...

Hurray! She looks soooo cute. I can't believe how good you look. My post labor pics have always been really bad but your are really cute. Can't wait to meet her!

Lindsey Mosbarger said...

Congrats! She is such a cutie and you look great! Hope you all are doing good.

Jennifer said...

Congratulations Ruth and Bracken!! She's as lovely as the other two :). Ruth, hope the first week as been a good one!

Kimberly said...

What a cutie! And Maggie looks good too!

Julie said...

Congrats Ruth & fam...she is beautiful!

Julie said...

Contratulations! She is beautiful, and you look great, Ruth!

NY Hale Family said...

Congratulations, she looks sweet, enjoy that, soon she will talk and it will be all over. Your family looks great.