Cooper & Everlie : Introducing Everlie Linda Kathleen Waite!

Full Name: Everlie Linda Kathleen Waite (the middle names are after her grandma and her great grandma, the strong line of amazing women that came before her, and taught mommy everything she knows about how to be a mother and daughter.)

Born: Everlie was born on Sunday October 20th, 2012 at 12:37 am at Stratford General Hospital, Ontario. She was 12 days overdue (October 8th was the official due date).

Weight: 7 pounds 4 ounces

Length: 19 inches long.

The Details:

Lisa had been uncomfortable and experiencing lots of small contractions for a few weeks, but nothing that would stick around or break the water. So the doctor scheduled an induction at 11 days overdue.

On Friday October 19th we were to call the hospital at 6:30am to confirm we can come in for the induction. After a long night of anticipation, they were unfortunately too busy with other deliveries and asked us to call back at 10! After a 3 hour wait they called us back and told us to come on down. Finally we’re ready to get this show on the road.

We arrived at the hospital shortly after noon, and by 5:45 Dr. Hancock was there to “break the water”. Baby’s head was very low and he had to scratch right against here soft little head, so it wasn’t a clean rupture, but it was a start. The next 2 hours was a lot of walking the halls, waiting for action. There was lots of pressure and cramping, but no contractions.

At 3:45 Dr. Hancock tried again, and this time had some more success. There was a gush of “water” and another round of “wait and see”. More walking, and this time some real contractions got started. Had to stop and hold the railing and breathe through them during the walks.

By 5:00, the contractions were coming regularly at 5 minute intervals, and the labour had definitely been going on a while. A quick check showed, unfortunately, no additional dilation. At this point, if the hospital wasn’t so busy with other deliveries (7 other women in labour at the same time) they would have started the oxytocin, but they didn’t have a dedicated nurse available, so it was more wait and see. Which was fortunate because Lisa’s body took over and contractions started coming stronger and longer and faster.

In the early going there was still very little dilation and by 8:00 we were thinking we’re in for another looooong labour (like Cooper). But, shortly after that, something changed and things started moving very fast. by 10:00 dilation was 7cm, and by 11:45 the full 10cm and Lisa was getting the urge to push. The nurse did and exam – holy smokes, the head is right there – don’t push! I’ll call the doctor.

The next 30 minutes was a bit of a blur, contractions one on top of the other, some mixed messages of don’t push, but push if you have to, and the doctor will be here soon. (the nurses [there were 2 of them now] were fully capable of handling the delivery, but protocol calls for the doctor). Dr. Hancock arrived with about 5 minutes to spare, and now it was a full on push push push!

On early Saturday morning, at 12:37am, after 8.5 hours of birth and about 15 minutes of active pushing… our daughter made her entrance into our world, lives, and hearts. Everlie was born into the world and placed up on her mommy’s chest as daddy cut the umbilical cord.

We did it! She is finally here…

Overcome with joy…

Our daughter… you are an angel sent from heaven and a special gift that we have waited and longed for.

Love…

It was such a different birth experience this time. With Cooper’s 61 hour birth, he was born with Nana, Grandpa, Grandma, our midwife, and doula in the room as our support team. Everlie was born with just mommy and daddy. Daddy was an amazing support and mommy did great. Together, we brought our daughter into the world and sealed it with a kiss. We love you so much, baby girl!

Everlie weighing in at 7 pounds, 4 ozs.

Proud, strong, amazing daddy with his perfect little angel…

Happy she is here.

Skin to skin… feel the love…

The only thing that could have made this moment more perfect is having grandma here to share it with. But I felt her all around me in spirit, looking down at her daughter and new grandaughter – and giving us all the strength and love in the world. I love you mom –- I know you sent Everlie down to me so that I can once again feel the amazing mother/daughter bond that can never be broken. And I know you are with us.

After a night cuddled up together in the hospital bed….

The next morning Grandpa, nana, and Cooper came up bright and early to meet the newest member of their family. Papa was out of town, but called in his love and said he’d be up to meet her as soon as he got home,

Proud nana. Proud Grandpa. Happy Parents.

Cooper meets his new baby sister. He was so excited to see her and the first thing he did was give her a kiss and tell her he loved her.

Daddy helps Cooper hold his sister for the first time.

So much magic in the room.

The best nana in the whole world, is so excited Everlie is finally here. She’s been helping and waiting, living at our house for weeks in anticipation! Everlie loves you so much already!

First kiss with her brother….

A proud big brother…

Grandpa and his only grandaughter, sent straight to us all from Grandma in heaven. A part of her is right here with us in her grandaughter Everlie. A sign her spirit lives on in our hearts and lives forever.