It's a GIRL!

Adrienne Hajjar Zappia was born on 6/10/10 at 6:07 PM weighing in at 6 pounds and 12 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches.

On Tuesday, June 8th, Matt and I went to the OB for my 39 week appointment with Dr. Lin. After discussing all of the options and my progress (4 cm dilated)and a handful of other factors we decided to do an induction on Thursday, 6/10/10. Originally, I had been sort of against induction but probably moreso because of having a previous preterm delivery. Dr. Lin assured us this baby was ready, that I was a good candidate for induction, and that with my history of a fast labor, that he'd like me to have the baby in the hospital instead of on Lake Shore Drive. Dr Lin scheduled us for the induction at Prentice Women's Hospital for 7:30 AM but we were "bumped" until about 2:00 PM (this resulted in a lot waiting around, frustration, and of course, tears). We finally got the call to come back to the hospital and I was hooked up at around 3:00 PM. They immediately started the Pitocin to get labor going. Because I'd been having contractions the whole pregnancy, the Pitocin contractions were really not that bad - not nearly the nightmare contractions I'd been hearing about. When I told this to my nurse, they decided to crank of the Pitocin. That got things moving along and around 4:30 I was ready for the epidural and it was in by 4:50. I loved the epidural with Luke and I loved it this time around too - it honestly felt so good. I'm still surprised so many people don't want one - what's not to like? For the first few minutes though, the epi only worked on once side of my body - that was a very strange feeling but luckily after a few minutes it was working all over. The plan was for the dr. to break my water once the epidural was placed but lo and behold, my water decided to break on its own right after the dr. was done putting the epi in. I didn't even notice it had broken but my nurse saw that I was leaking. Not sure why, but it was sort of embarassing to be leaking and not know it! I had a slight complication in that there was meconium in my water which can potentially be a large complication if it is ingested by the baby. Dr. Lin said that it meant there would be a pediatric team in the room at the time of delivery so that the baby could be suctioned really well. Apparently my babies likes to have a full audience at their births. At this point I was 4.5-5 cm dilated. Half way there!

So after my epi at 4:50 and my water breaking, I was supposed to be on the lookout for "pressure" that would mean it was time to push. Around 5:45 PM the dr. came back in to see how i was doing and to see if I'd felt "the pressure," yet. I told him that I was not feeling any pressure so he decided to check me just in case. And it's a good thing he did - I was 10 cm dilated and ready to go. He said the baby was almost crawling it's way out and I was feeling none of it! So around 6:00 PM, it was time to push. I pushed a few times (maybe 4?) and Adrienne was born at 6:07 PM.

Adrienne was suctioned very quickly by Dr. Lin and Matt was then able to cut the cord. She was screaming the entire time - very loudly. She then went to the pediatric team to be checked and cleaned and then we were good to go. Matt is still amazed by the skill needed by the Dr. to actully catch the baby. He thinks Dr. Lin should be a wide receiver in the NFL. Adrienne scored 9 and 9 on her Apgar scores and everyone kept commenting on her full head of dark hair.

This labor and delivery was very zen-like...smooth, quiet and peaceful :) Adrienne has been such a dream baby. She barely fusses, sleeps well and eats well. Our pretty princess is so sweet and so perfect!

Having a full-term baby after a preemie has been a great experience. The difference between the two is immeasurable. This time around is 100 times easier. Taking care of a preemie is stressful and very labor intensive which Adrienne has not been.

Here she is hanging out:

Big brother Luke is adjusting very well. He loves Adrienne when he notices her and likes to tell people we got her from the "hos-i-pit-al). Like we just went there and picked one out :) I think one of the main reasons that Luke likes Adrienne is because she goes out and buys lots of presents for him! She even got him the cozy coupe he's been coveting (see picture below). What a nice little sister.

So we're all doing great. Mimi left about a week after Adrienne's arrival and Matt has been on "paternity leave." Luke's been going with his nanny everyday like normal (best decision I ever made) and Matt, Adrienne and I go out to lunch everyday. Summer maternity leaves are fabulous - everyone tells me that it's such a great time to have a baby and I tell them that it wasn't luck, I planned it this way!

This is a picture of her sleeping right next to me right now but yy little miss is starting to wake up as I finish this post so I must go. Be on the lookout for many updates to come!

Lukey playing in the pool in the front yard:

Lukey wearing daddy's running shoes: