Daniella Hope is here! Born at 36 weeks and 6 days, December 23rd – Elizabeth’s birthday, she weighed in at a hefty 6lbs. 10 oz. She is a round little thing and it was a lovely birth, if a little TOO fast. I have to congratulate my beloved obstetrician this time though – he did ACTUALLY make it to the birth, although we made him run for it. Did he get to catch the baby? Well, no, he didn’t. To be fair to me, I had too little warning to tell the nurse. One moment we were chit-chatting between contractions, the next moment I thought she was crowning… Up from the birth ball and wasn’t sure I’d make it onto the bed. She called for the doctor and another nurse, I got to have another contraction – and my husband announced, “Yep, there’s the head” as our Dr. O tried to get on his gloves. “Oh, she’s here!” was his next comment, poor doc still with no gloves on. But he made it! And that was quite a change from Abigail’s birth – the one he missed and the nurse delivered, lol. We hear that he literally ran down the hall for our room at the phone call… Pretty amusing and I’d like to have seen it as this would have been no small feat.
Miss Ella did have a bit of a breathing problem. The neonatologist tells us that it was most likely because she didn’t get “squeezed” in the birth canal and was born just a bit too fast. Once she was stabilized in the NICU for having a troubling oxygen saturation she did much better. They kept her on CPAP for the evening and the next morning, weaning her down to room air. Today, Christmas, they’ve removed the IV, the ventilator, the feeding tube and she’s a champion nurser. We hear we’ll get to go home tomorrow morning.
And so our so very precious ninth child has made her way into this world. She is indeed a very real miracle as those of you who have read the journal of our pregnancy can attest. What an amazing and lovely testimony to God’s goodness.
May you all be blessed this lovely Christmas season as we celebrate not only the birth of our Saviour, but give thanks to our Lord for His goodness in watching over every little detail of our lives. And for blessing us beyond comprehension.
December 26, 2009 at 10:01 am
Congratulations! And it is so good to ‘see’ you back again! She is so gorgeous. What an incredible blessing!
December 26, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Congratulations, she is really beautiful. What a marvelous Christmas Present. I had a December 23rd baby two years ago, it made for a wonderful Christmas.
December 27, 2009 at 8:00 pm
sooo, happy for you! Congratulations on your newest bundle of joy! Read your story on IC forum and then followed you here. I must say I enjoy reading your blog, your faith is a true inspiration.
Your little girl is so precious, and what a beautiful name! Congratulations once again. God is merciful, isn’t He? All the best to you and yours this holiday season, and may He bless you abundantly and exceedingly above what you think or ask for!
PS. Good luck with the m.o.v.e!
December 28, 2009 at 5:20 am
congratulations!! so sweet!
December 29, 2009 at 6:32 am
Oh my goodness, she’s here–yipee!!!
Congratulations, Ericka and Family…welcome Sweet Ella (LOVE the name!)!
January 4, 2010 at 4:44 am
Congratulations! I’m so very excited for you! She is such a precious baby . . . enjoy!
January 6, 2010 at 7:14 am
How exciting, CONGRATULATIONS! What a sweet little teeny new family member. I hope you are having a fabulous babymoon, all snuggled up with little miss Daniella.
Whereabouts in Oregon will you be moving to? We’re just west of Portland. I love Oregon!
Aubrey
January 11, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Congratulations! I would love to email you with some questions about TOG if you don’t mind. our families sound so alike! I am expecting #9 in a few weeks… #8 baby here with us. My oldest will be starting high school next year and I am seriously considering TOG. But it does look overwhelming on the website. Anyway. Your baby is gorgeous and so glad all is well with her and you too..
Rebecca