The Baby Story IV: The Brighton Version

Well, we were getting quite anxious.  Baby X (we hadn't decided upon a name yet) was due on Nov 9th and it was all the way on the 14th with no sign of a baby yet.   Suzy was having some light contractions, but they were somewhat regular so early Wednesday morning (about 4 am) she decided to drive to the Hospital (St. Alphonsus) and get checked out just in case. About 5 am she called to let  me know that even though she wasn't really in labor yet they decided to go ahead and induce her (she was due to be induced on Friday anyway).  She had tried to convince the Dr to induce early, but St. Al's said they wouldn't be able to fit her in, so we were happy with the result.

I took Jace and Faith to Suzy's Brother's house (Greg and Jacqui) where Jacqui and Laurie (who was staying at Paula's and drove over to help) agreed to watch the kids.  Then Kate came with me to the hospital (we got there about 11:30 am or so).  Paula was already there at this point.

She wasn't progressing very fast even though she was on pitocin. They increased the dosage 1 mL/hr or so. I remember seeing her at about 7.5 mL/hr when I arrived and up to 15 or so at the end.

Kate was great! Grandma helped a ton (as did the iPad).  Suzy got an epidural around 1:30 because that's when the  nurse anesthetist could fit her in. Apparently it was a busy day in Labor and Delivery (go Idaho's baby factory!).

A little after 5 or so I took Kate to get something to eat at the cafeteria (Kate had to tell me the way, she'd been there couple of times with Grandma already).  We had some marginal food (the fries were good, as was the fry sauce). Then we headed back down, at which point I got a phone call from my wife to HURRY UP!  Her water had finally broken (when she rolled over) and she was progressing rapidly. It was about 5:40 at this point.  The Dr arrived about 5:50 or so, got ready and then asked Suzy to push if she felt like it. After a couple of good pushes, out came the baby at 6:08 (officially).

Kate got to see the whole thing, and absolutely loved it! I'll try to post some video later.
Some highlights:
Kate's expression as she saw the hair (as the baby was crowning).  The Dr pointed out it was sort of like a grapefruit with hair on it.
Kate's expression as she saw are the fluids coming out (ewwww! gross).
Kate's reaction as the baby came out and she was the 2nd person to hold her ("This is the best day of my life" said though tears).
Dr Lovelace telling us that it was one of his favorite births because of Kate.
Kate telling us "the umbilical cord wasn't how I imagined it".

Her journal entry is also priceless, I'll try to scan it in and add it later.

We initially settled on Violet Paula as a name, but later with some discussion on Brighton Paula Garrett was decided upon as the final name.

It's been 10 days now, and she's been a great baby so far. She nurses very well, even from a bottle.  She had her first projectile bowel movement this morning on the changing table (about 6 ft or so, it got on the wall).  She may be our best burper thus far.  She's still not walking, although she does wink occasionally.

Jace is handling it okay all things considered.  Jace and I have been bonding a lot as we do lots of things together. I go back to work on Thursday, so we'll have to see how he does with me gone.  The girls have been great with the baby and are super excited about their little baby sister.