Sister Act

Well, here we are, three days after the birth of our second child. All three of the Mavros girls (that's even scary to write) are sleeping right now, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to update you about the events of the last few days.
Let's start at the beginning...

TUESDAY
10:10 a.m. -- Katie's 38-week appointment. Doctor Thornton told Katie she couldn't believe she didn't get a call from us over Labor Day Weekend, and I don't think she was just taking the opportunity to use such a sublime pun. In fact, Dr. T really believed after seeing Katie the week before that she was ready to go and would deliver over the weekend. However, it was not to be, and while Katie did have some forceful contractions on Monday, they were not in close enough succession to warrant a trip to St. Joe's. Thus, the good doctor examined Katie again, told her she was progressing and could go any day, and sent her on her way to eat more pickles and hidden chocolate chips (I thought those cookies were missing something!).

WEDNESDAY
4:52 p.m. -- I arrived home from work to find that my wife had developed a greater interest in evicting the little one from her cozy one sac apartment. She had been having contractions much of the day (though they weren't consistent yet), and Grandma and Grandpa had offered to take Lily off our hands for an hour that evening so we could take a break and relax. Katie decided this time would allow us the perfect opportunity to go walk the baby out at the mall. While I hoped it wouldn't happen exactly like that, I was game for going.

6:18 p.m. -- We dropped Lily off with Mimi and Papa and continued on to Eastland Mall. Katie's contractions continued, though still not consistent or close together. Approximately 45 minutes and three full laps later, two things became clear: 1) Katie's belly was contracting with more regularity, and 2) there was really nothing that we felt we didn't have and needed to buy for this new baby. Satisfied with these developments and hoping to scoot before either condition changed too dramatically, we left the mall to pick up our big-sister-to-be.

6:23 p.m. -- Katie's parents' house. Dr. T had told Katie on Tuesday that, because of how much she had already progressed, as soon as her contractions were fairly consistent for an hour we could go to the hospital without fear that we'd be sent back home. As the night went on and the contractions stayed about 10 minutes apart, yours truly lobbied for a trip to the hospital. Needing another (and perhaps far more qualified) opinion, Katie called our friend Kim, who is an RN, to ask her advice. Kim said once Katie had experienced 3 or 4 of the strong variety of contractions, we could feel comfortable packing our bags.

11:50 p.m. -- After a few hours of indecision, second-guessing, and Finding Nemo (I can't really recall what we were watching, but this is as good a guess as any in our house), we made the executive decision to call for back-up and head to the hospital.

11:58 p.m. -- With all the efficiency of Chinese food delivery, Tom and Susan arrived at our door to stay the night with their already-out-of-the-womb granddaughter. After a few instructions for the babysitters, we made our hasty exit.

THURSDAY
12:09 a.m. -- Check-in, wheelchair ride up to second floor, blood pressure cuff, craftmatic bed (as seen on TV), yada, yada, yada.

12:30 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. -- Political pundits talking about Sarah Palin's invigoration of McCain's campaign (oh, God), Evan Almighty On Demand (really, oh God), there was about as much on TV as there was going on in Katie's insides. For hours the contractions were, while strong, still about 8-9 minutes apart, and the nurse on duty even toyed with sending us home. As it was, Dr. Thornton was to be in the hospital by 6:30 a.m., and the decision was made to have her make the final call on whether we stay or leave at that point. As we both drifted in and out of sleep (probably I was more in and Katie more out), the waiting game continued.

4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. -- At about 4am, Katie got restless and decided she wanted to walk around. She did so for a while until the nurse returned for her first progress report in hours. To our surprise (more Katie's than mine, truth be told), Katie had progressed from 4cm to 7cm in that time, most likely due to getting out of bed and knocking that baby around! This is when the fun started.

5:03 a.m. -- Katie is pretty uncomfortable at this point. She is asking (politely at first) for an epidural, and it just so happens that the anaesthesiologists turn over at that time of day, so the day shift takes over for the night shift (we found out later that promptness is not the strong suit of the day shift). Katie gets her medicine to counteract her betastrep-positive condition, and the pace in the room quickens as nurses prepare for the delivery and try to get Dr. T on the horn.

Time is a blur -- From here until the birth, I have no sense of time. Katie is getting more adamant about an epidural, and I am doing all I can do about it.....nothing. She doesn't really want to be touched, and I have no medical training. So, I am sitting in my most encouraging and supportive manner next to the bed, wondering where the damn anaesthesia is. When Dr. T arrives, Katie is visibly comforted, but her pleas for some relief of the pain of back labor (yes, this one was backwards too) continue. Dr. Thornton is the consummate pro, and she assures Katie that she will soon receive her drugs, though it is too late for the full monty. She says she'll get a spinal block when possible (apparently when the anaesthetist has both his cream and sugar to his liking in his coffee), and she would deliver the baby immediately after. At this point I'm still sitting/standing on the side trying to sit/stand positively and supportively.

7:17 a.m. -- Spinal block is a go after repeated unsuccessful attempts by our man to get the frighteningly long needle between my wife's vertebrae. After bending one from so much unsuccessful pushing, he unwraps another and chooses a different spot. At this point I'm thinking I should have been an anaesthesiologist. All kidding aside, Katie shows immediate relief as soon as the needle is withdrawn.

7:24 a.m. -- About 5 or 6. That's how many times Katie had to push (Lily required about an hour and a half of pushing, if you recall). Ella Kathryn popped right out like a good girl, and both she and Mommy couldn't have been better. Katie really did look gorgeous 5 minutes after delivering an 8-pound baby, and little Ella Kathryn was an absolute angel. 20.5" long and 8 lbs even. And no jaundice! So, life has changed. Again. Stay tuned.