#21 is here!!!

Before I drop into bed, I just have to tell you what an incredible day it has been. April and James checked into the hospital for inducement on a record breaking cold day with ice on all the roads and government offices and most of the schools closed. (Last night between 5 pm and 8 pm there were 120 accidents with many, many more to follow. Picking up Dale and Trisha at the airport was a scary experience. I lost track of the accidents we saw.)

They started the pitocin about 9:15, and she was already dilated to a 3. She progressed steadily and was ready for an epidural about 11:30 when she was at a 5. It took two tries to get the epidural to work, but when it finally did, she had a much happier time. She was at an 8 by about 3:00, and then we just waited. They finally checked her again about 4:30 and said she was ready to push.

This was the first time I had been in the delivery room except when Trisha was trying to have Alex before the caesarean. (I was in the operating room for Elijah.) It was an absolutely thrilling experience for me. I was so proud of April. She followed directions precisely and pushed through a few contractions. At that point the nurse told her to stop until the doctor arrived; she was ready for delivery.

When the doctor arrived she began pushing again, and it didn't take long for Lena to arrive, although the doctor was working hard and commenting that it was very tight. We soon found out why--we had us a very big girl. The doctor was shocked as was I. When she weighed in at 9 lbs 9 oz we had a hard time believing it--quite a challenge for a first time mother.

The miracle of birth was incredible. I cannot tell you what a marvelous experience it was. I didn't get to be there for April's birth, but I did get to be there for her baby's birth. After we left the hospital, I just wanted to cry with pent up emotion of the wonderful variety. She is absolutely healthy with her Apgar score 9/10. She has nursed pretty well, and April seems to be in great spirits. She has April's chin and James' nose. I think she looks like April, but I didn't see April until the 3rd day, so I think I will see more resemblance in the next day or two. Jan says she looks like April. She cried a lot at first, but when I left her a little while ago, she was looking at her mom, quite content after nursing.

I am still riding on cloud nine. We are so, so thankful for another healthy baby. God is so incredibly good!!!! I am so proud of April and the way she is handling her new role. James is a very happy daddy, too. He was a great coach for her.

I miss all of you. I am going to concentrate on baby for a few days, and then try to pull off Christmas. What a fun time in my life. I know I have written too much, and probably way more details than most of you wanted to know (though I left a lot out).

I just must repeat, God is so very, very good!!!!

Love, mom