Leighton Ryan

Here is our angelic arrival - Leighton Ryan
She has been an amazing baby so far - sleeping 4 hour intervals at nighttime and feeding well.
Jon and I are so in love with her...we could stare for hours - and we do!!

Labor Story:

So, I went into the doctor on my due date (and Jon's birthday) for a routine appointment - and he told me my water was broken and trickling out (I didn't realize a thing....no gush, no "pop", no fluid down the leg, no painful contractions). I was immediately admitted to the hospital around 10:30 am. Around 11:30am, induction medication was started (along with antibiotics, since my water had broken and may have been for a few days). I was contracting (painlessly) on my own prior to the induction medication, so they knew I would respond well. And my goodness...I sure did. Within a few hours I had gone from 1cm to 4cm and the pain was exponentially worsening. I received my epidural at 4cm - and ahhhhh, I was a new woman...still could move my legs and feel pressure, but the pain was gone! Kudos to my anesthesiologist. Around 7pm, we were ready to push - poor baby Leighton didn't like the pushing and her heart rate would drop with each one. It would take almost the entire down time between contractions for her heartrate to recover, so they started mentioning c-section, vacuum extraction, etc. Jon and I wanted whatever was best for our baby; I asked the doctor what he would tell his own wife in this situation - he said to try the vacuum extraction; if it was too much or he had to work too hard, time for a c-section. Jon and I agreed - and I was a pushing machine. Jon was an amazing, encouraging coach (I am so thankful for him...) - and at 8:19 pm, Leighton made her big arrival and was placed on my belly for us to see. It was amazing - the most beautiful little miracle we had ever laid eyes on. The nursery team came in during delivery, since her heartrate repeatedly was dropping, but they quickly checked her out and gave her a clean bill of health/arrival. Jon got to hold her right away and bond with his baby girl - the best birthday present daddy could have asked for! After her first breast feed with mom, the rest of the family got to come in and meet her. A big thanks to both our families for their support and encouragemen in the hospital! We love you all!!

Leighton Ryan
Born: November 26th, 2008 at 8:19pm (due date baby!)
Birth weight: 7 lbs 1 ounce
Birth length: 19.5"

November 26th is a popular day - not only is it Jon and Leighton's birthday, but it is also our nephew's birthday (he turned 4 - and thought it was pretty cool his cousin has the same birthday). And... the woman giving birth in the next room from us at the hospital had a similar situation - her husband and her new baby both share a November 26th birthday as well!