Swarthout Family Update: Julia’s Home!

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.  Ps. 113:17-18

Friday, January 19

6:30am

Off to an early start this morning, today is the official due date for our new baby to arrive! We’re at the hospital now and are preparing for the doctors to induce labor.

8:00am

The doctor just came in to introduce himself and tell us the anticipated course of action for today. For now, Stephanie is just resting, and we’ll see the doctor again around lunch time.

The anesthesiologist interviewed Stephanie as well to discuss the option of an epidural for pain control during labor.

I got Starbucks coffee from the cafe downstairs, so I am doing well also!

4:00pm

Still no baby yet, but the Pain Police did a great job this afternoon, and we’re making progress. I’m hopeful that she’ll arrive in the next few hours!

8:00pm

At 6:02pm, Stephanie and I  welcomed our sweet new baby, Julia Rose Swarthout, into the world weighing 6 lbs. 14 oz. and measuring 20” long.

Julia and Stephanie are very exhausted, but both are very happy and healthy this evening.

 

Saturday, January 20

8:00am

Thanks to some amazing hospital staff, Julia and Stephanie both got some rest last night and are feeling well this morning. Julia is eating well and enjoying her time snuggling mommy today. I’m also enjoying my time just relaxing in the room with the most gorgeous woman in the world and the new beautiful baby we have together. God is so cool!

12:00pm

All is still well for the most part. Stephanie is experiencing some pretty significant discomfort from the epidural yesterday. We’re expecting a little bruising and tenderness from that, but in time she should heal up fine.

5:00pm

All is still well in the holding cell! Julia is getting into an eat, sleep, snuggle routine. Stephanie’s back pain is subsiding, and we just met with the woman who’s preparing the birth certificate.

Our other three kids have had fun hanging out with granny and granddaddy all day today, but word on the street is that my little man, Steven, was a pretty upset to go to bed without mommy and daddy last night. I guess a few hours from now we’ll see how he does going to bed without us for the second night in a row.

 

Sunday, January 21

8:00am

After about 36 hours of interviews from miscellaneous medical professionals, a few rounds of sudoku and about twelve experiments with trying to make something tasty out of hospital cafeteria food, we’re finally starting to talk about going home! Dr. Shirk dropped in earlier to make sure all is well. He said everything is good to go and he’d put in discharge papers for us. We all got some good rest last night and we haven’t received any phone calls from our little man back at the ranch. Our goal is to be checking out of the hospital by around lunch time today.

11:00am

We’re packed up and ready to go home! One last interview, and I’ll get to pull the car around. I can’t wait to see the look on the kids faces when we bring home their new baby sister!

3:00pm

We finally made it home. Granny had a delicious lunch waiting for us, and Steven and Madison were mesmerized when they laid eyes on their new baby sister. With full belly’s and fewer interruptions, now we rest!