The arrival of Peyton Sage

Peyton Sage Reidhead

6lbs. ~ 18.5in. ~ 2:05pm 

April 19th, 2012

Thurs. morning at 3am I woke up (as if i had ever been asleep yet, due to anticipation) and called the hospital to make sure they were on schedule for inductions. As I supposed, they were behind, and would call me when they were ready.  With a sigh, I tried to lay back down and get some rest... and was thrilled when my phone woke me up at 6:30am- the hospital was ready for me!  I woke up Paul, rushed to get dressed and do makeup, Paul packed the car, we grabbed Brightlie, and were off!  We dropped off B with her Aunt Chelsea & promised to be back soon, with baby sister!  Yes, I cried as we drove away... I have never left B for any grand length of time, and I knew I would miss my sweet girl.

We arrived at Banner Gateway Hospital at 7:45am, were ushered into our room at 8:15am, and my nurse had the IV, epidural, and high levels of pitocin flowing in me by 9:00am.  Paul was so supportive and held my hand the whole time, since needles scare me to death, and the epidural was more painful this time than last time.  Then, we sat.  And waited.  And talked.  And rested. And got restless.... by 1pm I had dilated from 4cm (which was what I was at when I arrived) to 5cm.  Super discouraging!  I was hoping to pop this baby right out!  So, Dr. Beck came in and broke my water (1:00pm), hoping this would speed up the process, and it certainly did!  At 1:25pm I was having some weird pressure/pain and asked the nurse if my epidural was working or what I was feeling?  She checked me and announced I was at 7cm!  Yay!  I was pleased but still in chill mode... I mean, it wasn't like she was coming out anytime too soon right?  Wrong! My nurse started rushing around the room, preparing for the birth, called in another nurse, and they were organizing all sorts of things.  At 1:45 she checked me again and said I was nearly at 10cm, and it was almost time.  I was stunned.  I had no idea my body would react so fast. The nurse called my doctor, and he waltzed in at 2pm, quickly putting on his scrub gear, mask, and gloves.  I was still in shock, not quite sure how this could be happening so fast, and thinking that I was going to need to push for at least a while, so why was my doctor already here?  The nurse had me sit up, Paul was by my side at the end of the bed, and Marian (Paul's mom) was ready with the camera.  Dr. Beck had me push 2 times and out she came!!!!!  Literally, in a matter of less than 15 seconds, he had me push once, had me catch my breath and without waiting for the next contraction said "push again, harder, go!" and that was it! Baby girl arrived at 2:05pm!  Dr. Beck announced that she was a tiny little thing, as he cleaned her, let Paul cut the cord, and handed her to me.  She was so little, and had a such a sweet but loud cry.  She was so cute, and I was so happy.  I handed her to Paul, and he held her for a moment, while I was being stitched up (only minor tearing, hurray!)    Then they put her in the warmer, and her piercing cry filled the room (she was not happy to be over there).  The nurse asked Paul what her name was, and Paul said we were thinking about a few. The nurse pressed for details and Paul responded that Peyton was one name we liked and..... um, he couldn't remember the other names!  He came over to me, kissed my forehead, and I confirmed that I thought she should be named Peyton.  So that was it- Peyton Sage Reidhead.  The middle name Sage coming from Paul's youngest sister who looks just like Paul and who has the same sweet personality to match. And ironically, Peyton looks just like Paul (and Sage!).  I am so happy with her name, since we were so confused and nervous as to what to name her up until that moment.  

 What a special moment, to meet your new baby!

 She certainly has some lungs!  

 Daddy and his little Peyton 

 Mommy and Peyton- happy and doing well!

 Love that the nurse put a little purple bow on her head!

 Leigh. Me. Tiffany.

So happy to have such wonderful, supportive friends! 

 Brightlie meeting Peyton!  

 Brightlie wearing the adorable shirt my friend made for her-

B is so happy to be the "Big Sis"!

Our stay in the hospital the next two days were great.  Paul's family, friends, and grandmas showed up to show their love and support.  I felt really good and was even up moving around! Paul is the best Daddy, and was so happy to just sit and hold her.  All the nurses commented on her perfectly round head, her sweet tiny body, her cute lips, and how pretty she was.  Peyton is also an excellent 'nurser' - she roots when she is hungry, and is a pro at latching on... I am hopeful that I can breast-feed with her, since she already seems to know what to do, without any direction from me!  She is also a good sleeper, sleeping 3 hours in between feedings.  Brightlie already adores her sister, and is so happy that we brought her home.  She is already very helpful with diapers and handing Peyton a binky, and gets worried the moment Peyton starts to cry.  

Paul and I feel so very blessed to have two wonderful daughters in our lives.  My heart is so full, and I am so in love with Peyton!  And yet, I am so much more at peace, because Peyton's birth has in no way changed my overwhelming love for Brightlie.  I am so thankful that the delivery went so smoothly, and that I am feeling so good afterwards.  And Peyton is happy, healthy, and perfect!  Life at the Reidhead Home is full of joy!  Little girls are the BEST!!!!