Lia's arrival.

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010: Contractions began around 9:30 a.m.. Phone calls were made to Jason, Grandma Chris, and my daycare families. I had a feeling things were going to happen soon so I made arrangements to have my daycare children picked up early. Grandma Chris came over to pick up Jackson and Jessica and then take them to Grandma Barb's and Grandpa Terry's house (where they would end up spending the night).

Jason and I didn't leave for the hospital until around 3:00 that afternoon; we were both convinced this was the real thing and Lia would be joining our family either later that day or the next.

Wednesday afternoon/evening:
3:30 p.m. 1-2 centimeters dilated, 70% effaced

5:00 p.m. 1-2, 80%

7:00 p.m. 2, 80%

11:00 p.m. 3, 90%

Thursday, April 29th, 2010:
3:00 a.m. 5, 90%

7:00 a.m. 7, 100%

7:30 a.m. I got into the tub.
My previous water birth experience with Jessica was a very positive one; I also wanted Lia to be born this way as well.

9:45 a.m. Began pushing

9:46 a.m. Lia is born!

Hardest part of this labor and delivery - lack of sleep.
Although my contractions were not very intense, they were just strong enough to make sleeping not an option.
And, having had a sleepless night prior to the day of Lia's birth was extremely tiring.
In fact, the exhaustion I felt after her birth was so intense I had to take a few minutes to rest in the tub and regain some strength before I could even hold her.

Paula, the midwife who delivered Lia, held Lia in the warm water with her whole body submerged (except her face).
By providing Lia with a warm, comfortable transition into this world she was able to remain in a peaceful state after birth. She laid quiet and sleeping in Paula's hands. During this time, Jason was able to cut the cord and we were both able to get a good look at our new daughter.
Once she was removed from the water, she let out her first cry (which is always a reassuring sound to hear for the first time).

Most interesting part of Lia's labor and delivery - being born 'in the caul.'
My water did not break, and as a result, Lia was born inside her bag of water.
Jason said she looked like she was wrapped in a cocoon when she came out. Paula cut the sac once she was out and then lifted it up for both Jason and I to see.
So, aside from the legends of people born in the caul being spiritual leaders, psychic, unable to drown?, etc... the thing that stood out most for Jason and myself is the fact Lia was almost 100% guaranteed to not accquire any sort of infection while passing through the birth canal.

Overall, I feel I can "sum up" Lia's labor and delivery experience in three words:
SLOW, SMOOTH, and SPECIAL.

We are blessed to welcome our third healthy child into this world.

The following pictures are from our time spent in the hospital and the first few days at home.