SubscribeWe Are Three (Posted by Colin)
At slightly after midnight, Penny started having contractions. Severe ones. She doubled over in the bed and had to get down on her hands and knees, while I rubbed her back and stroked her hair.
At slightly after one, we called Brooke, the doula, and woke her up. The contractions were only a few minutes apart, it seemed, and we were wondering when it would be time to go to the hospital.
At slightly after two, it was time. Brooke held Penny and swayed through a few more contractions while I threw our pre-packed bags into the car and warmed it up. Penny wobbled down the steps to get in, shivering and deep-breathing and contracting.
At slightly after four, she got to start pushing. She gripped my hand and Brooke’s, and bore down hard, trying to squeeze the baby out after a full-term labor without a drop of anesthesia.
At slightly after five, the doctors said the baby wasn’t moving down like she should. They scheduled a C-section and we waited for the team to prepare the operating room as Penny still suffered through contractions in vain. Brooke and I consoled her for having gotten through an amazing and perfect natural delivery that couldn’t quite be finished.
And at 5:52 am, there in the operating room, we heard our daughter cry for the first time. I ran to the baby-warmer as the nurses cleaned her off, snapping pictures so I could go back up by Penny’s head and show her what she’s made.
Right around 6:15, the doctors said our baby had inhaled some fluids during the delivery and could develop trouble breathing very soon. They said she would have to go to Fort Wayne without us, to the neonatal intensive care unit. I had to go and tell Penny that she wouldn’t get to hold the baby she just brought into the world — not for 2, maybe 3 days.
Around seven, in the nursery, the nurse and I looked at each other and thought together, “she doesn’t look that sick.” When the ambulance crew arrived from Fort Wayne, we asked them to reconsider taking her. She was pink, and peaceful, and we said please.
After studying our baby’s chest x-rays, the neonatologist agreed, and one of the nurses told me she could stay. I hugged the woman, whose name I do not know.
And just now, I gave little Veda Katherine Dullaghan her very first bath, after Penny gave her her very first breakfast, and it was all completely, absolutely, wonderfully worth it.
you did good. real, real good.
:)
:)
:)
Congratulations on the best Valentine’s Day present ever! She is beautiful.
Congrats to all of you!! What a beauty.
What an adorable rosebud! Congratulations!
Congratulations to all three of you! Glad to hear both Mum and bub are healthy:o)
Hello and congratulations.
I had to read her story twice, it was written so sweetly. Wonderful job Dad:) This is a most amazing time. love to all~ a delurking reader, cayden
Welcome to the world little girl!
Congratulations to the three of you.
Petra
Congratulations!!!!
Happy Birthday little Veda! Congratulations Colin and Penelope – she’s just perfect!!!
Congratulations!
Sending you and your family so much love!!
she’s beautiful!!
hope you are all adjusting to your new life well. congratulations! xo
precious and wonderful and beautiful!
Why, just looking at a newborn brings a tear of joy?
Hooray! She is absolutely cute, well done you two. Enjoy every minute.
Ooooh, such a little sweetie with an adorable little face!
Congratulations !!
congratulations! what wonderful and sweet news… she’s beautiful!
Welcome to the world, perfect little baby :-)
blessings & blessings & blessings to each of you, warrior Penelope & supportive Colin & sweet Veda Katherine.
warmly,
gem
She’s beautiful :) Congratulations!
congratulations! Lots of health to the whole family!
hello big world!!!
congratulations, penelope. she’s adorable.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! welcome Veda!
and the best wishes to the three of you!
Congratulations!! Best wishes to all of you as you get to know one another!
I’ve been following your wonderful blog for quite awhile now and thought this would be the perfect time to finally chime in – congratulations! :)
I’ve been reading your site for a couple years. After having a baby myself I am soooo excited for anyone else I know that has one! Congratulations!!!!!
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!!
She is so beautiful, you guys are so strong and smart and did an amazing job listening and being heard during the birth. I’m so glad she is in your arms. Sweet days are ahead. Congratulations!
I’m leaking little happy tears for you both. Congratulations :)
cue music * Isn’t she lovely….* Congrat’s to you both (the three of you) !!
Congratulations for your new and wonderful baby!!!
Welcome to the world Veda!!
Super Congrats! *LOVE* the name :) Cant wait to see more pictures.
Amazingly wonderful!
Welcome to a brand new world for the three of you…many, many blessings…
Congratulations and lots of love and blessings to you and your family! <3 <3 <3
Congratulations! I wish you three all the happiness in the world! :D
what an angel! happy birthday to you all!
xo
And more congratulations from me – she’s beautiful!
congratulations! What a beautiful baby! Here’s wishing you both a wonderful new world of happiness to share with your baby girl.
Congratulations to you all Veda looks a picture of contentment & so lovely & fair or is that Strawberry blonde as my kids said they were … OOroo … Bethel
Welcome little Veda!!! Congratulations dear Penelope and Colin, you choose just a perfect name for such a beautiful girl!
Congratulations!! Your daughter is so sweet and beautiful! It is such a wonderful time that begins now, your a real family now! I wish you all the best and happiness for you three!
oooooooooooo. I am in love! love love! Thank you for the uplift!
Beautiful, Brilliant, Bravo!
Hello Penelope,
I just discovered IF. It’s wonderful.
Your new little girl is quite beautiful. Congratulations!
Reminds me of the day my first child, a daughter, was born–26 years ago. Her name is Penelope :)!
Let the fun begin!
Elizabeth Rose Stanton
Penspapers Studio
I’ve just discovered IF and now I’ve discovered Veda’s lovely birth story: out the sunroof! What an adventure!
Sounds like she had a touch of TTN – really common and goes away if you keep warm and feed early. Well done you and that nurse.
Happy babymoon and congratulations all round.
terri (devon midwife and new IF recruit)
[...] year ago today this little girl entered our lives… and suddenly I was a mother. And she was my daughter. I can hardly believe it’s [...]