Liveblogging a Home Birth
November 21, 07 by Lee
Start!
At 3:30am this morning my wife Allison began labor with our second child. We are having a home birth and have the same midwife that delivered our son so we are excited that this birth will go as smoothly and be a memory as amazing as the first.
5am-6am
Counting contractions using www.contractionmaster.com — A very cool tool to help keep track of each contraction with minimal interaction.
6am-7am
Called the midwife and family. My inlaws arrive to help watch our son Griffin.
7am-9pm
Nothing new to report yet, contractions are growing stronger I am told but we are just waiting and trying a few things to move the baby along like adjustments, bouncing on an exercise ball, eating, listening to awesome music (at least I did). The new camera is coming in handy already and pictures are already starting to look good.
9am-10:30am
The midwives have arrived while Allison is out taking a walk with a friend. Contractions are strong and steady, we think there may be quite a bit of time left (I’m guessing the baby will arrive late afternoon at this point). Lots of coffee and cleaning is keeping me and the inlaws busy — Griffin seems to like all the excitement and is currently eating lunch.
10:30am-12noon
Alli is resting now while the contractions are getting longer and more painful. Griffin is watching Shrek and playing with some new puzzles. We are all gearing up for a big lunch as there are a ton of people in my house. I think we may have exceeded the maximum capacity for our tiny little home, but its pretty fun too.
12noon-1:30pm
Alli just finished laboring in the bath here while Griffin entertained her with his amazing number of bath toys. Griffin headed in for an afternoon nap and the house seems to have quieted down for a little while while we gear up for the big moment.
1:30pm-3:30pm
WOW! Big 2 hours here. Alli has gone from sporadic contractions to almost one every minute and a half. Our midwife helped her through some positioning to adjust the baby ensuring it arrives into the world headfirst and with arms down. We are currently listening to the heartbeat again and everything appears to be going smoothly as we head into the final moments. We have been able to labor in the bed and then moved to a firmer futon so my wife could get better support. Each room has been outfitted with clean spreads and the right equipment - it’s amazing to see how smoothly it all works at the crucial moments.
3:30pm-4:41pm EXACTLY!
Welcome Paisley Adams Norris
Amazing day! At 4:41pm November 21st 2007 Paisley Adams Norris was born healthy and at home! She is beautiful and it was an amazing experience to say the least. Very different from Griffin’s birth and exciting in new ways. Allison used the birth stool for the final moments and everything happened so fast towards the end. She’s already latched onto her mom for some food and is as strong as Griffin ever was.
the MRN team is behind you
where’s your picture Lee? We see everyone except for you
Hi Lee! We’re so excited! Good luck, we’ll be checking in periodically to track the progress. We can’t wait to hear what her name is. Everyone is voting for Rebecca. Eric says make sure you update your TOE. He’s said you’re burning at least a half day today.
haha.
yeah its hard to take pictures of yourself and all that noise…
we know that fancy camera has a timer
I’m not the one who’s pregnant here — just cause I look it doesn’t make it so. Let’s focus on the mom and baby — I’ll get pics taken later (or you can see me at work).
Yeah I dont have IE at home so I can’t update my time off — Sorry Eric…
Rebecca huh? I’ll pass it by Alli!
I have updated Mark and he says if Alli can just hang in there for about 12 more hours he will win the baby bet. Do you guys realize if you have IT today (I almost let it slip!) next year The Gretch’s birthday will be on Thanksgiving? You will be able to have cake AND pie! Make sure to include Salt-N-Pepa in today’s soundtrack…
this is so cool! it’s fun keeping track of the progress. stay strong allison! can’t wait to see the new bambino - love to all suzann and jean antoine:)
I’ve been thinking about you all day and sending painless labor vibes Alli! Keep us posted, we can’t wait to see the baby and find out the name!
Got you guys on my mind. Can’t wait! So glad the day has come! Love to you all! Alli…be strong!!!
Yay!!!! Congrats!!
Welcome to the world Paisley! Congrats Mom and Dad —so much to be thankful for this year.
WOW ! Congrats Allison and Lee. Griffin too. A girl in the Norris lineage. So exciting!
You realize that this throws all currently held scientific beliefs out the window. The Stirng Theory of the universe left tangled. The Big Bang theory blown up. The genetic code re ciphered. I think only Robert Adams the Meaning of Life the Universe and Everything remains uinscathed.
This certainly proves that the accepted fact that the father detemines the sex is hogwash. No way a Norris did that - so you deserve all the credit Allie - mucho extra congrats.
Glad to hear everyone is healthy, and mom is well enough to be eating apple pie already.
I guess you would work up an appetite.
Paisley too. I think I voted for that, being Scottish yet unique. My Dad grew up just of the Paisley Road in Glasgow, and I can remember when Paisley Ties were all the rage.
It is snowing here in Omaha so hope I don’t enter a ‘Trains, Planes, and Automobiles’ scenario, because I can’t wait to see Paisley tomorrow.
Think Pink.
Love David
Congratulations!!!
A girl!? Paisley Adams is a nice name, good choice. Don’t forget about Griffin or that other thing that lives there, what is it, oh yeah..the dog Mazzy.
Congrats and love from Kelly and me!
Well, this was great having these pics and news so soon. Our best to all involved and I love her name! Kay was reading me the info as I was trying to get online using only one hand to type and she told me it was boy named Paisley. I didn’t think it was a good name for a boy but the cutest ever for a darling baby girl. We are meeting the Reids for margaritas to celebrate this new life. Well done, Alli and Lee and big brother. The world is blessed with a new life.
thanks everyone for the well wishes..very tired but happy
love, the mom (allison)
Congratulations Allison!! I love the blog and the pictures. Beautiful name.
Way to go Norris Family, er… “clan”!!!!!!
She’s GORGEOUS!!!!
Love, FJT&J
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