Our newest family member

Heidi began having labor contractions around 2:00 am Wednesday morning. Dustin was able to sleep until about 4 am!!! We ate some breakfast, took some showers, and by that time contractions were between 2 to 3 minutes apart. So, we thought it would be a good time to go to the hospital. We got to Sacred Heart a few minutes after 6 am to get checked in. When we arrived, Heidi was 4 cm dilated. Everything was good and fine. We walked around the triage area for 30 minutes or so and then came back to do more paperwork and checked her dilation. I needed to use the restroom, so I stepped out for a few minutes. She was doing fine, so there was no issue, but the nurse put the baby monitor back on Heidi's tummy and couldn't hear any heartbeat. After a minute or so was finally able to find the heartbeat, but it was only at 60. She then paged for help and instantly there were 5 nurses in the triage room being very direct with one another. This all happened so quickly and all occured while I stepped out for 2 minutes to use the restroom. Thus I walked back into the room to a very stressful situation. I am no brainiac or anything, but I could tell something was wrong. I asked the very profound question, ‘Is everything ok’, but what I meant was ‘what the heck is going on, what is happening, why are all of you (5 nurses) freaking out?” One of the nurses who has really trying to hold her composure said, ‘She absolutely has to have an emergency c-section immediately, the baby’s heart beat is way down and we have to get that baby out’. So they took me to the waiting room where I just waited and prayed…a lot and very fervently. I didn’t know what to expect, how long it would take to hear anything, etc.

(Ezra with his sister. Aunt Julie holding Olivia)

(Grandma Greenup holding Olivia)

(The first real picture I was able to get with Olivia's eyes open)

About 20 minutes later, one of the nurses came out to me and told me that our baby girl had been born at 7:34 am and she and mama are doing great, though Heidi did have to go completely under with a general anesthetic. The nurse explained that the umbilical cord was wrapped around her little foot and her shoulder, which was cutting off the blood circulation. A few minutes after that, the nurse brought our daughter to me and we spend the first 30 minutes together then we were able to go see Heidi who was recovering.
(Thankful mom holding her daughter who loves to be held and cuddled)

We just left the hospital around noon today. We are thankful to be home, and thankful for our daughter! Ezra stayed with relatives throughout the few days. He has had a few occasions to see Olivia but his world is about to change completely now that there is another kid vying for dad and mom’s attention.
(our little daughter in her car seat)

Thank you all for your support and prayers. That 30 minutes on Wednesday morning was some of the scariest 30 minutes of my life, but our Father is faithful and cares deeply for us. Yet, after those 30 minutes were over, some of the sweetest and most joyful moments of our lives followed. We know in our heart and soul that whatever would have happened, our Father cares deeply for us and His will is perfect and without fault.

(Leaving the hospital with Olivia in her car seat and mama in her wheelchair)