Baby Raya has arrived 1/10/25 - and boy has it been an event

She was due on the 17th, but decided to come a week early. We went into labor late Wednesday night and were at the hospital early Thursday morning. We were there for 3 hours before being discharged because I was only 2.5 cm dilated (despite my contractions being 4 minutes apart). So, we went to breakfast (yup, at Denny’s while in labor) and then to my prenatal appointment which was scheduled for later that morning.

By the time we saw my doctor I was already miserable from the contractions and lack of sleep, so she decided to admit me. We were in hospital laboring away all day and into the early hours Friday morning before it was finally time to push. Then, we pushed for 3.5 hours before she finally came out.

We had two hours of blissful new parent happiness. Then, when our nurse came in to check on us she noticed some concerning markings on my baby’s face. Next thing I know, she’s being sent up to the NICU and my husband and I are being taught about the different causes of oxygen deficiency in newborns.

Her health has improved each day and the doctors and nurses all say she their feistiest patient. Hopefully, we’ll be able to take her home in a couple of days.