Happy Birthday to Julia!!!

Today we are celebrating Julia's 9th birthday! She has had a pretty big weekend already because yesterday she went to San Francisco to have lunch and see the Broadway play Wicked with her friend Lindsey who also has a 9th birthday today. Then they came back and the two families (10 in all!) descended on Red Robin for dinner where they brought out special birthday girl ice creams. The evening finished with a sleepover at our house. They are upstairs as I write this singing the songs from the play with the help of her first gift a Wicked musical sound track.

We also like to go back and read her birth story. This never occurs without getting teary eyed.

Here it is:

Julia Rae Kreisa – Birth Story

Mar 7th, 2000 7:45 AM: Think you are finally on your way! Mel woke up with a "show". Having what feels like "real", but light contractions. Doctor’s appt at 9:15, so we will see. Taking the hospital bag with us...
6:30 PM Finally!! Contractions are 5 minutes apart, regular and sharp. We came to the hospital and straight into the birthing room. Taking pictures. I am writing while Mel is checked out. Excited, excited!! Called parents, Moxleys and Butlers before we left.
7:00 PM Mel is trying very hard and the contractions are very sharp. The midwife just estimated 8.5lbs -- oh my. (Picture between contractions!!)
7:25 PM Dr. Monroe shows up, ruptures membrane and shows us a piece of baby hair!! It's reddish blond -- WILD!!!
7:35 PM Contractions very, very strong and tiring.
7:40 PM Mel throws up first time. She is having a very rough time.
7:45 PM Contractions too strong!! Dr. Monroe says it's going to be a long night, wants Mel to consult epidural lady when she comes in -- she is down the hall with another woman. Wow! Pain. 8:00 PM I'm a little gassy, Mel not amused =) =).
8:20 PM Mel's face very strained, getting blood pressure taken by midwife Judy. Contractions are so strong. Still waiting for anesthesiologist.
8:30 PM Anesthesiologist arrives, Mel asks her to explain process and risks again. 1/2 way through Mel says "forget it, just give it to me". Another big contraction. Helps when I stand at foot of bed and Mel pushes her legs against mine. Mel has the shakes, trying to smile through it though.
8:37 PM Start epidural.
8:45 PM Mel throws up again, still shaking. Midwife wraps her in a warm blanket.
8:55 PM Wow, epidural working. Mel looks much better, more relaxed.
9:00 PM Another contraction. Mel says there is pressure but not pain. Midwife thinks things are moving along well.
9:35 PM Things on track, 5-6 cm dilated. Midwife stays with us and chats. Called Mel's parents. Mel very philosophical about taking epidural. (Wanted to go "natural" but not worth being so "out of it"!) Dr. Monroe called in, Midwife will call her when head is in view. Amazing how things are under control (since epidural). Mel relaxed, chatting, me writing.
9:40 PM Discovered reclining chair!
10:10 PM Mel tells midwife from the baby class "I don't remember anything from the class"!
10:20 PM Call from Stephen Chapman (Nephew of Ann and Terry Butler) checking in.
10:45 PM All still well. Mel awake, John drowsy!
10:50 PM Second boost on the epidural. The first was 10:25. Mel regulates the machine by pressing a button. Midwives tell us not to let it fade out.
11:20 PM Slept a little. Met new midwife Diane, seems nice. Worked as midwife for aboriginals in Alice Springs for a couple of years. Great stories...
March 8, 2000
12:15 AM Diane says Mel has a "super uterus"! It is contracting as though she has been given drugs. Says she was destined for the epidural, will probably need it for future children.
1:30 AM Had exam by Diane. Cervix not any more dilated, still only 5 cm. She advises us that a ceasar could be needed. She said to get some sleep and she'll check again in a couple of hours.
6:00 AM Dr. Monroe examined Mel. No further dilation, (big baby, small pelvis). Dr. says we could keep trying over next 24 hours -- but could put undue stress on baby and Mel and we might have to end up with ceasar anyway. She recommends we go ahead now. We say yes and they start getting staff together. Dr. estimates we go in around 7:30. Mel can have an epidural block and be awake.
7:20 AM Heading for surgery. Mel being prepped, me in side room getting dressed. I'm set to go in a minute.
8:07 AM Baby is born!!! Hello Julia Rae Kreisa 3.66 KG, 50 CM. Operating "theater" had Dr. Monroe, midwife Judy, pediatrician Dr. Jenkins, an anesthesiologist, a RN Nurse and a Dr's assistant. Kind of intimidating. Mel had oxygen mask on and a screen up at chest level. Doctor didn't really talk through what was happening except when she said "there will be some pressure now". Mel grimaced. Said later it felt like Julia was walking across her insides. We heard a baby cry, Mel said "is that the baby!!??" and Dr. Monroe held her up and said, "you have a new baby Julia" -- so amazing!!!!