We are thrilled to welcome Ada Eliot Wills to our family! Baby Ada was born at 1:22 PM on Tuesday, April 20th, weighing an impressive 8 pounds, 7 ounces – a full pound more than her brother and sister were at birth! She has a full head of dark brown hair, brown eyes and appears to have Portman’s gorgeous dark skin, just like her big sister Harper.
Ada’s birth has been a very different experience for all of us. On Monday morning I went in for my 39-week checkup. At my 37-week checkup I was already dilating and having decently strong contractions, and they told me that she would “definitely be early,” so on Monday when I was still pregnant I was not a happy camper. The baby wasn’t moving around much at the appointment, so they did a non-stress test, and sure enough she wasn’t showing a lot of enthusiasm for still being in the womb. My doctor suggested an induction, and I got a call a few hours later telling me to be at the hospital at 7pm.
We arrived at the hospital expecting to start the induction, but the doctor checked me and it turned out that I was already in labor, at least they thought I was. I assured them that I had been having steady contractions for over two weeks and that I was not in labor, but they said that we would have to wait until the morning and see if anything progressed. So… I had to spend the night in the delivery room. Let me tell you how much fun that was – none at all. It was loud and uncomfortable, and I got zero sleep.
Portman arrived back at the hospital Tuesday morning, and sure enough I was not in labor so they started the induction around 7 AM. Being induced is extremely controlled and predictable, which was very different from my other deliveries. They gave me an epidural around 9 AM, which was entirely necessary since the pitocin causes unusually painful contractions, then Portman and I watched “Superbad” while the pitocin did its work. Around 1:20 PM I told the nurse that I felt a lot of pressure. My doctor came in to check me and informed me that the baby was crowning, I pushed once, and out she came at 1:22 PM! And THAT was officially the fastest birth of the three (Harper was 3 pushes and I think Roman was about 5).
Ada proceeded to scream for about an hour and a half (wouldn’t you if you were born that fast?), then calmed down and has been a sleepy, easy-going baby ever since. Both of us were doing great and were all set to go home as soon as she was 24 hours old, but then they did a routine bilirubin check on Ada and it came back high. So, yesterday afternoon she had to go under the lights (aka the tanning bed, aka the turkey roaster) and has been permitted out of her little oven only to nurse.
Meanwhile I have been sitting here reading magazines, watching movies (I recommend “Up” – it’s amazing) and stressing out about her being in there alone. She now has three little friends in there with her – I guess it is “jaundice week” in the nursery – so that makes me feel a little bit better. This morning Roman came in to hang out with me while Harper was in school and I got some much needed snuggle time with him. We are desperately hoping that Ada tests well this afternoon and can finally go home! I’ve been told that I have to go home no matter what, but we will see about that… they might have to drag me out of here kicking and screaming.
Yesterday (pre-turkey oven) Ya Ya brought the big brother and big sister in to visit. Harper was out-of-this-world adorable and so excited to see “da new baby.” She immediately informed me that the baby is going to sleep in her bed and share her pillow, and that everyone else can call her “Ada,” but Harper will be calling her “Abigail.” So funny! Roman was not so excited about the baby, but enjoyed a little mommy-time.
