Introducing Mia Patricia Dirstine

I finally went into labor early this morning (November 23). I had a scheduled appointment with my OB/GYN that morning so my Dad drove me drove me down to Panorama City to see what was going on. At 11 a.m. I was dilated 2 cm and 60% effaced with contractions coming every 45 minutes so the doctor sent me home. Jeff stayed at work so my Mom and Dad drove me back up to Santa Clarita to have lunch and wait to pick up Noah from school.

After lunch, the contractions were about 20 minutes apart. I guess a good, hearty Mexican lunch did the trick. Our baby was definitely coming today. So we picked up Noah, did a few last minute things at home and headed down to Sunland to meet Jeff and hand off Noah to Jon and Jenn, who were going to take him for the night so the grandparents could be at the hospital with us.

By 7 p.m., my contractions were getting much stronger and were now 5 minutes apart. So we headed off to the the hospital. Here I am settling into our labor and delivery room. By the time the midwife checked me upon arrival at about 8 p.m., I was 5 cm dilated and 80% effaced.

 After a lovely epidural and a few hours of waiting, our little Peanut was born. Here is her first photo as they placed her on my chest. I literally was laying there watching late night talk shows on TV when the midwife came in to check me and said I was fully dilated and ready to push. After three pushes, she popped right out. I couldn't have asked for an easier labor and delivery. The hospital staff were quite stunned at how easy it was. What can I say, I guess I'm made to deliver babies.

 Mia Patricia Dirstine (the baby formerly known as Peanut) was born today, Thursday, November 24, 2011, at 1:24 a.m. Our very own Thanksgiving baby! Her first name, "Mia," is in honor of all the women in our family with the name "Mary" or a close relative of that name. And her middle name, "Patricia," is after my Mommy, Pat. We are so honored to name our little girl after so many wonderful women in our family.

 As you can see, she weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces and was 20 inches long.

 Here she is warming up minutes after birth. Daddy was so proud!

 Soon the happy grandparents came in to see little Miss Mia. We took a very similar photo of the grandparents and their new grandchild when Noah was born. How special to have all of them there for the birth of our second child, too.

 Mia and her Tutu and Sir, Jeff's parents.

 And here is Mia with her Mimi and Pop-Pop, my Mom and Dad.

By the way, as I'm certain you will remember, my Dad caught a really big fish one year ago this week. He was set to go on an anniversary fishing trip before I even learned I was pregnant. So when he found out that my due date was one day after he was supposed to leave on his trip, we all hoped and prayed the our baby would come early. Somehow my Dad got his wish and Mia was born the day before he was set to leave. Whew! 

 I just love this photo. She was so calm and collected and was looking around and taking in the outside world. Welcome, little one. We love you so much already!

 And of course, here is Aunt Nora. She's our good luck charm when it comes to babies. Aunt Nora had come back from a semester abroad in Italy the very night that Noah was born. Before she left that summer, she made me promise not to have her nephew until she got back. Ha, right! And what do you know, it happened. And this time, she made me promise not to have her niece until she came for Thanksgiving. So that afternoon, Aunt Nora flew in from Los Gatos just in time for Mia to be born. Hilarious!

Oh, yeah, don't forget the Mommy! Here are the proud parents and grandparents. What a wonderful and blessed day! Welcome to our family, Mia Patricia. Happy birthday and Thanksgiving! We are so thankful for you and we love you so very much.