22 Hours Later

Our little Jane was born yesterday (August 10th) at 3:31 p.m. She weighed in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces (tiny!) and is peaches and creamy - light colored hair and blue eyes.

We walked to the hospital at five o'clock yesterday morning after about ten hours of laboring at home (and a few hours more than that of really bad back pain - the precursor of labor, I guess). Then we walked home from the hospital this afternoon with a baby less than 24 hours old!

Labor and delivery was a bit more traumatic at moments than we bargained for - mostly because Jane insisted on keeping her arm above her head (her little hand came out on top, even still!), her umbilical cord was wrapped around her tummy and got pinched a bit, and meconium was thrown into the mix in a big way. But we are doing great. I was mostly just thrilled that I went into labor on my own and didn't have to be induced. And blessedly, no C-section.

For those who took a gander at her vital stats: No one guessed her date of birth right on (she came overdue, but still earlier than even I expected!), BUT she was born on her grandma's 60th birthday. What's more is that her grandmother is also the mother of three boys and one girl, so in addition to a granddaughter on her birthday, we are going to send her something extra special.

Mrs. Lemon was the closest to the date and she absolutely wins the weight guess. (Code Yellow Dad was technically the closest on the weight, but he got a daughter.) So, Mrs. Lemon, look for your prize later this fall once I get back to Ukraine. And thank you for guessing kindly. My hips appreciate it.



(My grandmother sent the beautiful quilt that Jane is laying on. Each of my kids has a quilt tied and edged with points by her. They are such treasures. Thank you, Grandma B!)

Uh oh. I hear Charlie getting the "You can't drive cars on the baby's head" lesson. Gotta go.

She is SO Due

So when I was nine months along with Calvin, I went to church one Sunday and our Bishop took one look at me and instead of saying, "Hello," he said, "Ouch." It was very empathetic and somewhat funny, and I think it applies right about now.



I'm not sure if my family walks so far ahead of me when we go out places because it's painful for me to keep up, or because it's painful for them to seen with me like this. Ah well.

I am getting some special treatment, though. All kinds of seats vacated for me on the Tube. An usher chased down an extra seat cushion for me (because HE decided I needed one - I didn't ask!) so I could enjoy Les Mis in more comfort. A clerk at a street cafe let me have a 30 pence discount because I was out of change - I was scrounging for it and he said, "It's OK, Mummy. It's OK. Enjoy your drink." So nice! I like it!

In other news, we're still waffling about a middle name for Jane. I consulted Swistle and if you want to go weigh in on the Jane's middle name issue, check it out and comment! Some very sweet ideas. I need them. We're stumped.

And I'm trying ot make these last few heavy days/weeks a little more fun, so here's a chance for you to win a little prize...

1. Guess Jane's birth date and you will receive an authentic Ukrainian handpainted matryoshka nesting doll (a "mommy" with four littles, each inside the other!) Choose any date between today and August 21st. Just for reference, I've gone one week over every time, but two of those were inductions, so...it really could be any day. Once a date has been chosen by another commenter, you can't duplicate it, so guess soon.

2. My doctor says I might top Charlie's 10 pound birthweight with this little girl. Whaddaya think? Guess her weight (pounds and ounces) in a comment on this post - if you are the closest guess, you will receive a Ukrainian pysanky (painted egg) - they have beautiful and intricate symbols of life and birth and being a woman incorporated in the design. Just for reference on this one, Calvin was 8-8, Henry was 9-6, and Charlie was an even 10.

Guessing is open until the baby is born and I'll send the prizes as soon as I am back in Ukraine with her.

And that is all.

Except that the next picture I take with a London phone booth I hope to fit inside it.

Hiatus Again

I'm still pregnant.

Auntie S and my cousin are in town.

We are busy.

I'm still tired.

Until I give birth, I am just taking a little blog break so I can fit in more shopping, more nesting, more London, and more naps.

And also because then I will have more to share than travel-loggishness and food obsessions.

So, TTFN.

But hey - throw out some middles names for Jane if you'd like. Or tell me what you think of Jane Lisette...