Best of Zoo Friends

Welcoming Zephie Delal

I made this comparison the day before Baby Sis was born. Zander's was taken at 36.5 weeks, and he was born at 38.5 weeks. While Baby Sis was taken at 37.5 weeks just two days before she was born!  Can you tell how much lower baby sis is and that she was 1.5 pounds lighter than Zander at birth.

Here's the Story...

On Monday, October 24th, Andy's mom and dad came to Iowa City to get Zander for a couple nights so Andy and I could spend all day together to celebrate my birthday the next day.  We were so excited and I already had the day completely planned out. Including all the birthday deals in town, free Starbucks, Texas Roadhouse, and the Atlas.  Also enjoying some splurges like going to get my hair cut and going to a matinee movie. The last time we would get to go all out before our baby girl would be born. I was SO PUMPED!
I went to bible study after Zander left with Andy's Mom and Dad the night before, feeling good. When I got home Andy and I went to Java House for a pre-party warm-up for the next day. One of the last things I said to Andy before bed was that I didn't want to have the baby on my birthday because I wanted to spend all day celebrating with him, then I asked him "Is that selfish" I think he said No, but honestly I feel asleep within minutes of that. 

I woke up a few hours later at 2 am. with "gas cramps" This is vaguely familiar. Remember Zander's Story? Went to bathroom, laid back down, and felt like I was leaking... meaning-Was I peeing the bed? I couldn't stop myself, but it wasn't enough to make me know with confidence that "yep my water broke".  Another cramp, more leakage, called Labor and Delivery, took a bath, contractions 5ish minutes apart, Andy started packing and running around because they were getting longer and stronger. Quickly!  We had nothing prepared or packed for the hospital yet!

3:30 We were on our way to the hospital. I was eating ice cubes between contractions, and wearing one of Zander's cut up diapers to keep the van seat dry (my water was slowly breaking and I didn't have any pads... that's why!!) We got to the monitoring room at 4am. Feeling like this is happening FAST, and this was NOT my plans for my birthday! It was just supposed to be him and I.

 At 5:30, I had an epidural and was soon 8 cm dilated. They needed to get my antibiotics in fast (I was strep B positive and ideally they would start them 4 hours before delivery, so they wanted things to slow down at this point). We chilled, relaxed, made some phone calls,  and at 6:30 I was 10 cm, but everyone was in no hurry because they wanted the antibiotics to get in. Doctor Sheppard came in at 7 am and I started pushing, but it still just seemed kinda we'll-see-how-this-baby-progresses but not the REAL DEAL yet bc I wasn't even pushing on every contraction. At about 7:30 I knew it was for real because the lights came down, the doc got her full get-up on, and all the tools ready. I just knew it was TIME! One contraction later baby sis's head was out! In an instant I went from thinking "This was not my plans for my birthday" to "complete fallin' in love with this beautiful girl that God has given to me". She was perfect and the best birthday gift God could have given to me.  

7:35 Zephie Delal Bishop was born. Weighing 7 lbs. 11 oz. and 20 inches long.  She was a peanut compared to Zander! I had some minor complications of delivering the placenta and heavy bleeding immediately afterwards, but other than that Zephie was perfectly healthy. 

So that's the story..... 

Once again, I'm blown away with God's timing. He always has the perfect plan. What a special way to celebrate my birthday this year, and all the years to come.

I was worried about not getting my free starbucks:o). Well Andy still went there and they gave him 2 free ones! Oh yeah, could the day get any better?

Oh yeah...... it can get better! Look at who came to celebrate with us!

Zephie, we are blessed and excited to welcome you into our family! Let the journey begin!