It's a Girl!

She's arrived and we're thrilled!

Stats:
   Born: April 13, 2008 at 9:25pm BST
   Weight: 7 lbs 6 oz
   Head Circumference: 33.5 cm

I know you're dying for her name, but things have been a bit rushed, so give us a day to make sure we're sure the one we've picked fits her, and we'll let you know.

A little bit of the story while it's still fresh in my mind. The thing you don't want to hear when you phone the hospital to say you think you should come in with contractions lasting for a little bit shy of a minute, spaced 3 minutes apart, and mother-to-be saying she's about at her limit: "Sorry, we're closed" (!!).

They meant their delivery ward was full and said we needed to divert to the backup hospital about 10 miles away. Fortunately, our friend Eric was just a block away and was willing to pop out of the evening church service to come pick us up and drive us to Stevenage. Crystal's key message as we were driving: "No matter what they say, I'm not going back home" (recall with Ellie they told us to go home because "real labor" hadn't yet begun and she was born within an hour).

Fortunately, they welcomed us warmly and our midwife Maria and student midwife Christina were brilliant. They coached us through the toughest bit at the end and Crystal did magnificently.

Our little girl immediately began a feed (she was probably aware of how pro-breastfeeding her mum is!) and wouldn't let up. As the midwives watched me attempt to dress her they probably thought I needed some daddy lessons before being given care of this precious child. I realized I've forgotten the newborn thing a bit -- Ellie responds when I say "push arm #1!" but this one hasn't quite gotten the hang of it. But I managed to get her dressed without any major limb dislocations.

After about an hour or so they moved Crystal from the delivery room to the post-natal ward where she was sharing a large with a few other new mothers. Since it was past visiting hours, I needed to go home. The pediatrician will come for a thorough check on things in the morning (a little more thorough than most because Crystal is on thyroid medication and the baby's levels might need to be checked). Then I'll try to find a lift to the hospital to pick them up and bring her home so Ellie can meet her little sister. I think she'll be excited.

Thank you for all of your love and prayers. God is very kind to us and we are very grateful.