Baby #4 has arrived. Eva Gayle Webb. It was a long wait for her, but we are so happy to have her here. All my other babies arrived early, so I was devastated when my Mom arrived last Saturday and still no baby. Then her due date (the 7th) came and went and nothing happened. I had an induction scheduled for Thursday, but I really didn't want to have one. Basically, I was going crazy.
On Monday I had a Dr. appointment and I was dilated to a 4, but still not having any real contractions. Then, by Monday evening I was finally feeling them getting a little stronger. I made Matt take me to Walmart so I could walk a few laps and hopefully get things going. By about 10 pm I realized I would probably be going to the hospital soon. So, Matt went to bed and I stayed up with my Mom. It was so great having her here. At 11:30 I woke Matt up and we headed to the hospital. My midwife told me to call if I thought the contractions were getting strong enough to have her head to the hospital before we got there. I really didn't think they were too bad, or at least that they would get a lot stronger before the end, so I didn't worry about it.
We got to the hospital at 12:02 and they sent me straight to a room - no triage. We got there and I was already at 8 cm. So, the midwife had a quick trip to the hospital and baby Eva was born at 1:09 am. It was a great delivery, but a lot different because she was facing the wrong direction. It meant I had all back pain and pushing took a lot longer. I really have to thank Matt and my midwife. Without them I would never have made it through the whole birth experience. However, it is all worth it. Recovery is going well and Eva is doing great. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 21" long.
I have to say that my Iowa hospital stay was by far my best. (This is my fourth hospital in four states). Maybe it was because Eva is my fourth child, or just the easy going manner here, but I didn't have nearly as many people bothering me or teaching me or poking me or lecturing me about a new baby. Everyone was so nice and it was great to get the time to relax. I was so happy to come home. The best part was that my mom was here and she took care of my girls for me while I was in the hospital. It was also fabulous to have her here for a few days after to help and have someone to talk with. THANKS MOM!!!
Her sisters love her!!! Lindsay is by far the most curious (imagine that). She will sit next to me the whole time I am nursing and puts her arm around my back to feel close. Then she waits until I am done burping and will sit a while longer holding Eva. She is surprisingly patient for a chance to hold her. The other two are a big help getting things and helping me around the house.
Eva is a name that Matt has liked since we had Lindsay. It has grown on me. However, I did not know that people would pronounce the name like Ava and I am not a huge fan of that. She will probably have to tell people her whole life that it is EEEva not AAAva. Gayle is the name of a dear friend in California. We hope that Eva will grow up and be just like Gayle.
Right after her first bath. Soaking up the heat lamp.
Grandma and Eva
Mariah and Eva
Ruth and Eva
Lindsy and Eva
All the girls
Eva Gayle
Ok, so now we have proof that we are crazy. After a week of calling Eva, Eva, we decided to change her name. It just wasn't working for Matt or I. Cora is a name that we have liked for a long time, and she just seems like a Cora. We were waiting to see if we could actually change it before we let everyone know. Apparently in the state of Iowa you can change a name until the child is a year old. Hopefully this will not ruin her later in life (she can share it with her therapist). The other girls are still having a hard time remembering to call her by the new name, but I'm sure by next week we will all have it down. Today we blessed her in church- with her new name. So no changing now. We love our Cora! Grandma and Grandpa Webb are here for the week and got to share this day with us.
Grandma Johnson, Ruth and Mariah
