It was a long day and night. Kari and Eric went to the hospital around 6 a.m. Barb, Cassie (Kari's maid of Honor), Bill and Patty arrived too early to wait out the delivery. We arrived at 11:00 p.m. Bill and Patty at 3 a.m.
Eric kept us informed, texting the progress to the five of us waiting in the nearby lounge but also to family in Oregon, Washington, and Georgia.
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| Grandmas and Cassie checking texts. |
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| I tried to sleep. |
At 5:10 Eric texted us that the baby was born giving only that one detail.
About 15 minutes later he burst through the door.
We flocked around Eric hungry for details. He gathered us in a circle then handed us an item which we were to hide in our hand, not looking as to what is was. After we each had the object in our hand, he then said, "Look at it." We opened our hands to review a cookie with pink sprinkles indicating a girl. (Barb had baked cookies, some with blue, some with pink sprinkles to hand out after the birth.)
It had been an ordeal (aren't they all?) but all were healthy but very tired. I am not so sure "labor" is the correct phrase for the process of having a baby. "Labor" seems too kind. Perhaps better words would be "agony" or "excruciation" or even "torment". But I guess since the outcome is such a fulfilling blessing, a kinder word, labor, is more appropriate.
We went home and went to bed. At noon we returned to the hospital.
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| Patty |
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| Bill |
 Elizabeth already indicates a relaxed mood. I remarked as I first held her, "Wow, what a comfortable baby. I think my blood pressure just dropped 40 points." Very special. |
Eric, demonstrating how he was helping with the birth process, holding one of Kari's legs, while texting updates to us all. :-)
June 20 - a day of celebration from here on. Welcome Elizabeth Jean.
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