Introducing Harper Mae

I don't know how many of you have ever been pregnant, but if you have, you probably understand why I didn't feel much like blogging recently, being every day more and more past my due date and also in the land of million degree weather here in Dar Es Salaam.  We came here ten days before my due date in order to see the doctor here, make sure everything was in line with the hospital, get somewhat settled into the house we've rented while we're here, and just to be around decent medical facilities in case the baby should come early ( Though I never for a second expected her to come early, as Baylor was two weeks late).  Our doctor here is Dutch and we like her a good deal.  Upon our ultrasound at 39 weeks, we were told that the amniotic fluid was low and there was a good chance we'd need to induce, but that we would at least wait a week and see if there was any change.  The next week (on my due date), we saw that Harper was still growing a little and seemed in no hurry to come out, despite the lack of liquid around her.  Because she was still growing some, we decided to let her bake in there a little longer and see if she came out on her own.  However, she did not, and by 41 weeks, she had stopped growing, so the doctor decided that an induction was indeed necessary.  Oh joy.

So, on Saturday, February 4th, Brett and I headed to the hospital to begin the fun that is birthing a child who doesn't seem to want to come out.  After five hours of labor on pitocin with no pain medication ( I can't say I recommend it), Harper Mae joined us in this world of ours weighing in at 6 lbs, 12 oz, at 20 1/2 inches long.  This whole labor and delivery experience was much better than it was with Baylor, for which we are quite thankful.

Harper and I are both still a little sleepy but are recovering just fine.  We are happy to have her join our family; even Baylor... I think.  Here are some pictures for you gaze at fondly.