Lydia's Birth Day

Though the doctor had predicted an early arrival, Lydia had still not arrived on her due date, June 1st (which actually was a good thing as I had been sick with a flu-like thing for the 2 weeks prior). So on that Tuesday morning we dropped Tyler off at the Jensen's (friends in our ward) and checked in at the hospital at 7am. I was scared to tears (despite my brave face in the picture below), but was blessed with very nice nurses (one prayer answered).

Dr. Landeen came in and broke my water at 8:15 and everything went very quickly from then. 3 1/2 hours later (I got the epidural just in time!) our baby girl was born. She would have been born earlier, but the doctor hadn't arrived yet. It had all happened so fast that the nurses told me, "Don't cough! Don't laugh! Don't breathe!" as the smallest thing would have sent the baby out into the world. The doctor rushed in and a couple of pushes later, Lydia Anne Plastow was born.

8 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 inches long. Born at 11:42am on Tuesday, June 1st.

She is not sure about all of this.

Just minutes old, content to snuggle with Daddy.

Getting all washed up. Instead of whisking her away to the Nursery, the hospital bathed her in our labor and delivery room, which was nice because we got to be there with her.

Lots and lots of light colored hair. We can't decide if it's very light brown or a darker blonde.

All clean! She is healthy and whole (another prayer answered) and looks very much like her brother did when he was born - a lot like Tyson. Don't worry, we have lots of hairbows to show that she's a girl. :-)

Nice and clean, warm and safe, snuggling with Mama. Could anything be better than this?

Tyler finally gets to hold Baby Sister. He loved on her for about a minute, then got bored and started exploring the hospital room.

Daddy, Tyler, and Lydia. The end of a great birth day!

Tyson edited and posted a short video of Lydia's arrival on his blog - http://www.tysonp.blogspot.com.