Beatrice Lea Hanson

It turned out that those 'pre-labor' contractions I mentioned in my previous post were not actually pre-labor, and were in fact labor labor.

Because after I hit publish to that blog post, Nate and I got read for bed. 

Bed for me lasted about 5 minutes until I realized that these contractions were not going to allow me to sleep.

Neighbors and parents were put on 'threat level orange' to be at the ready.

And I labored through the night.

Totally in denial that this was happening, because I had false labor with Matilda, and I was stubbornly refusing to need to need help from anyone in the middle of the night.

But around 3:45AM one doozy of a contraction made me throw the towel in.

Sina was called (THANK YOU!), the parents were on their way.

And we were off to the hospital.

After a very quick, and eventful delivery (of which there were a few swear words yelled out, quickly followed by my apologies for swearing), we were over-joyed to welcome our newest daughter to the family.

Beatrice Lea Hanson

Born March 27th, 2013 

5:23 AM

7 pounds, 6 ounces

20.5 inches

In the moment she arrived I was so relieved.

Yes, relieved to be done with labor.

But more, relieved to be done with the waiting.

The wondering.

The questions, and worries and unknowns in my mind of how having Beatrice would change me. Change Matilda. Change Nate. Change our family.

In that moment, and in the moments after, I was relieved because the answer was so clear.

All of those unknowns were answered with her sweet face. Quiet noises. 

Tiny fingers and curious eyes.

The only change that Bea would bring would be for the better.

Sure we will have bumps in the road. Matilda will have her moments. And I could do without having another four eye-teeth to cut....

But she has been here less than a week, and already I can't imagine a world without her.