I suppose the story starts nine months earlier, but I’ll stick to the last few days leading to birth. Last Thursday, March 29th, Laura was told she was still only 2cm dilated, same as the previous week despite her frequent contractions. At the doctors advice we started walking later that day and into the weekend. I would guess we walked about ten miles from Thursday to Sunday. I suppose all the walking paid off. We went in for an unscheduled visit to the OBGYN Monday at 2:30pm. The doctor said she was still only 2cm dilated, but she was having steady contractions between four and five minutes apart. The doctor was perplexed what to do. Normally when women are at this point they are begging for epidurals, but Laura showed no signs of pain, only mild discomfort. The doctor told us to go to the hospital for a follow-up examination with the on-call doctor immediately. After a few brief errands we arrived at Northside Hospital around 7:00pm. To my surprise we were checked in to the room where they deliver the baby. They again monitored her contractions, but this time administered an IV, took some blood and gave us a handful of consent documents to sign. From about 7:00pm that day till 4:00am the following day Laura stayed in the bed receiving fluid and suffering through contractions. Around 4:00am the nurse came in to re-evaluate Laura and found that she was now 4cm dilated. As time passed the contractions became more frequent, longer and more intense. Waiting as long as she could, Laura was given an epidural around 8:30am that morning. By 11:00am she was fully dilated and the doctor instructed her to begin pushing. This is about the time my memories begin to get blurred. The next few hours are easily the most intense, exciting, and satisfying I have ever had. Initial pushing was halted when the doctor did not see any progress in the forward movement of the baby. They decided to wait and try again in an hour. This repeated a few times with no success until about 1:45pm April 3 when the doctor gave us a choice to continue pushing and risk the safety of our baby or stop and prepare for a c-section. Laura didn’t flinch when the safety of the baby was brought up. We prepared for a c-section immediately. She was prepped and wheeled to the operation room where the procedure began at 2pm.
On Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at 2:15pm eastern standard time Lilly Grace Malone was born. She weighed a healthy 7lbs 6oz and stretched 20.5 in length. There must have been a dozen doctors and nurses in that room, but I can clearly remember Laura’s short slow breaths and the sound of our baby crying for the first time. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, lack of food, intense anticipation, or a hundred other things, but hearing Lilly cry for the first time gave me butterflies in my stomach like never before and made time seem to stop. I can’t compare that feeling to anything else I have ever experienced. I was so enthralled in what I was seeing and hearing I had to remind myself to breathe. Going into the operating room I only had Laura on my mind. Now I find myself having to remember about Laura because I could not stop thinking about Lilly. Never did I think I could love anyone as much as Laura, but now I have two loves in my life.
The c-section was completed by 2:30pm and Lilly was taken to a transitionary wing to monitor her breathing where she would remain until 9:00pm that day. Laura was taken to the post-op recovery room where she was monitored until 5:00pm, until they moved her to the post-partum private room where we remained the rest of our stay. About 9:00pm April 4, Lilly was brought to our room and re-united with Laura and I. I still remember her mere presence was enough to make my stomach sink and muscles tremble. Here comes this wonderful thing that instantly gives my life purpose. As she got closer the muscles throughout my body trembled more vigorously until she was close enough where I could see her eyes. There are no words to describe the instant rush of emotions caused by seeing your child for the first time. Nothing in my day to day experience has prepared me for those two little blue eyes staring back at me. Even now I struggle to coherently explain my feelings because she induces this whirlwind of emotions I simply can not express. I can already see her laughing and playing in the back yard and playing on the monkey bars at the park. She makes me want to be a better person and the kind of protector of innocence best described in books like Catcher in the Rye. At the exact same time I think about my father holding his first and only grand-daughter and making the observation he didn’t think he would ever get this chance.
These are just a few of the hundreds of thoughts blazing through my mind every time I see her. It really is amazing how this tiny little thing can change your entire outlook on life and give you purpose where there once was seemingly little.
Paul, I am so amazed at your words about the birth of your daughter. In case that no one has ever told you, you really need to write books. I thought that I was going to cry. Lilly is just beautiful and I can hardly wait to see her in person.
I did cry. It really brings you right back to the day your own was born. It is the greatest feeling in the world. We are all so happy for you, Laura and Lilly. So many more amazing things will happen to you just by being a Mom & Dad.
Have fun, we love you all.
Lilly is so blessed to have parents that care so much. Just the thought of Laura being a mom still blows my mind. I am so excited for you. I can’t wait till it’s my turn and you will be there to share all of the untold stories that most people don’t hear about. I just can’t wait to see the look on my husband’s face day to day with all that goes on, that I know will grose him out. Which I’m sure Paul had a few moments that he would rather not share. Again congradulations to Laura and Paul for the beautiful birth of their daughter Lilly. Here’s to the many years to come and wonderful little moments that will last a life time. Love ya’ll.