Libby arrives!

Whew....so after 40 weeks, 4 days, and about 12 hours of waiting, we finally met the little girl we were so eager to meet. And Harrison became a big brother.

Elizabeth Luwynn Comber was born today at 5:39pm, weighed 7 lb 15 oz, and was 20 inches long. She was born in the Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA via cesarean section.

It was a long day. Katy was up early with a bit of nervousness, and while I was awake from 4am-6:30am, I slept in until about 8:30am. We got things together and out the door at 10am, dropped Harrison off at Grandma's, and arrived at the hospital at 11:15am. When we were set up in the pre-op room we were told things were backed up due to many emergency c-sections. Since we had dealt with an emergency C-section with Harrison, we totally understood and were willing to wait. I even joked with Katy that she was lucky that she wasn't in pain from dealing with contractions. Kind of strange to be having a baby and not be experiencing any contractions. The hospital staff was very apologetic and accommodating, and finally at around 4:30 they were prepping us for the O.R.

I in my scrubs and Katy in her gown, we just settled down for a little c-section surgery. Why I thought it would be easy or routine after experiencing it once I do not know. It was like everything happened differently. At about 5:30pm they finally came and got me as I sat nervously in the pre-op room. By the time I arrived, the procedure was half over! The one thing that was the same was that the anesthesiologist had the same quirky sense of humor as the one we had with Harrison. The down side-- our doctor was obviously on the end of his shift and had seen his fair share of c-sections for the day. I don't even think he said a word to me during the surgery.

Well, then came the miracle. Say what you want about c-sections, but a birth is a birth is a birth, and it was amazing and miraculous. I peeked over the curtain this time and saw the head!!! Just her head as they lifted her out. Then, they whole body was out and bingo! A girl!!!! Yay! Libby!

I was able to hold her and Katy was able to get a quick look at her before they whisked her away to the nursery for weighing and measurements (again, different from when Harrison was born, where it was all done in the O.R.) I went with Libby to the nursery and saw her get weighed. Almost 8 pounds.

She looked great. Her color was a beautiful pink, she had a full head of dark hair, and her cry was soft but present. She doesn't cry much-- just like her big brother.

The next couple hours Katy sat in recovery room as Libby was cleaned up and warmed in the nursery. I raced around calling folks and meeting family and bringing them back to see Libby through the nursery window. The whole time Katy sat by herself in the recovery room. I really feel bad that I let that happen. Next time, I'll do better, honey, I promise. Then Harrison came and met Libby and that was special. He also got to see his mommy. As of now, the four of us have not been in the same room. But tomorrow, that will be a special treat.

A little after 8pm folks headed home, I ate a quick dinner, and headed back to spend time with my two favorite girls. Obviously, the long and traumatic day took its toll on them and they both drifted in and out of sleep as I watched my new little one with wonderment and awe. She seems so perfect, and life is good.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to pray for Katy as the pain will begin with the recovery from major surgery. And pray for Harrison as he spends the next couple days with small intervals of visits with mommy in the hospital.

As for me, I'm on cloud nine and my adrenalin is wearing off. But the thought of more precious moments to come will help me fall asleep and await a new day, filled with joy of welcoming Libby into this world.