Welcome to everyone visiting our family blog - first timers as well as our regulars!
So by now you've probably heard the wonderful news that Clare Marie was born on Thursday, September 6th at 5:40 A.M. (As an aside, this also happens to be the date predicted by Clare's parents some nine months ago. The doctors, uninterested in Natural Family Planning, were off by a week.)
Clare weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs 1 ounce, measuring (to everyone's surprise) only 20.3 inches. She has a beautiful close-up photo posted on the hospital's website, which you can access here. Baby and Mom are doing just fine.
At about 2 P.M. Wednesday Carrie's water broke. Although she was having no contractions, the hospital recommended she come in to be checked. Upon arrival at 3 P.M. our doctor decided it best to induce labor, by starting her on a mild dose of pitocin. Over a period of several hours, the dose was increased as the smaller amounts were having no real effect on Carrie. Around midnight, our impatience subsided as the intensity and frequency of Carrie's contractions rapidly increased. The hardest part was not knowing how the present level of pain compared to what was coming. At around 2 A.M. Thursday morning, the nurse decided to check Carrie's cervix for the second time since admittance.
She had dilated from three to six centimeters.
After only two hours she was at 9 cm, and the nurse was on the phone with our doctor, who happened to be on call that night for deliveries. The doctor made it to our room just as Clare's head was crowning. Within minutes, she was in our arms.
Through it all, Carrie was simply amazing. No wailing. No writhing. No complaining.
Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. This has been a beautiful experience for us, and it is such a blessing to share our joy with you. The three of us are back at home now, figuring out a new rhythm of day-to-day life in Port Orchard -- something that, for the first time, includes cleaning poopy diapers ;-).
Enjoy the pictures. We promise there will be more to come in the weeks ahead. And feel free to stop by and say hello to Clare and Family in person. Know that our door is always open.
Love,
Tom, Carrie and Clare Marie
p.s. That photo above is, of course, Clare with her new Grandma Herring. ;-)
p.p.s. If you're wondering about our baby's namesake, you can read about it here.
12 comments:
Congrats you guys! She's beautiful... God has truly blessed you... Great job both of you!
God Bless,
Beth
Congrats!! She is so beautiful!! ...and I know that's what the comment before me said, but it's so true!! :)
God bless you three!
PS Wow Carrie...you do NOT look like you just gave birth...you look great! :)
She is amazing.
Awesome. I'm so happy for you two and I can't wait to meet Clare in person sometime this winter.
God bless and know I'm praying for your family.
B
Great pictures! Keep us posted on baptism dates : )
i'm so happy for your family. we'll stop by soon if you're up for it!
Congratulations! She is beautiful, I'm glad baby and mom (and dad of course) are doing well!
Dear Tom, Carrie, and Clare Marie,
I saw on Erin's blog that you have your new little family member. CONGRATULATIONS! We are thrilled that you have your little one in your arms; isn't it surreal? Life is beautiful.
God bless.
Our prayers are with you,
Mary, Caleb, and Maddy O'Kray
I, too, saw on Erin's blog about your precious little girl. She's so sweet - what a blessing!
Wow! Congratulations! What a beautiful baby!
The pics are gorgeous. We were so happy we could see her and you guys in the hospital. She is so beautiful and Carrie you did and look amazing. Way to go!! Look forward to seeing you again soon and holding that little Clare!!
Post a Comment