ZOEY JO IS HERE!!!

Let me begin where I left off. My last post was the day we were to go to the hospital, just over a week ago. Friday the 13th was my last day at work, which ended at noon. Once I said my goodbyes it was off to lunch with Alex at his going away party for his internship. This was the last time I was allowed to eat before we were supposed to show up at Deaconess Hospital at 7:30. When lunch was over it was off to take a nap and continue packing the apartment. Just before we were to leave, around 7:00 we got a phone call from the hospital telling us there was no room for us and to call back at 9:00. So frustrated and starving I anxiously waited. 9:00 came and we crossed our fingers.

Red rover, red rover, send the Moons on over, were the exact words we heard. When we got there we found that the wait was totally worth the huge room we were put in for labor and delivery. This room was at least twice the size of all the others and was very comfortable. After getting settled in they got me all wired up and checked my bodies progress. I was having minor contractions (which I could not feel), but was only dilated to a one. They decided to give me some extra liquids through an IV to see if I was contracting due to dehydration. This was the case and therefore determined that Cervidil was the next step. The Cervidil was placed inside me and left to sit throughout the night. They then gave me an Ambien to help me sleep, which ended up making me very delusional and completely out of it. Alex said I was acting very weird and was not making much since, but soon enough the Z’s came and I was out.

Around 4:00 in the morning I woke up to some mild contractions that progressively got stronger until 9:30am when my doctor got there. She checked my progress again and found I had only progressed to a 1.5 and decided to break my water (which was the most painful thing ever). At this point they started me on Pitocin and monitored my contractions from the inside. The contractions became very strong and extremely close together and kept me in a good amount of pain until they checked me again at noon. Unfortunately my body was fighting it and had only progressed to a 2. Not much longer after that I was given my epidural before the anesthetist was unavailable due to a c-section down the hall. From that point on I could not feel anything. I was able to take a nap and enjoy the company there to support me.

Around 3:00 I had made it to a 4 and at 5:30 I was up to 7. I sat at a 7 for about two and a half hours and at 8:00 I lost my cookies. I instantly went from a 7 to a 10 and it was time to get ready. Just before 8:30 they called my doctor and I started pushing. While waiting for my doctor to arrive I pushed every other contraction and at 8:55 our angel was born.

The entire time my husband was by my side being the best support I could ask for. Getting to hold our daughter for the first time was the most amazing experience and feeling in the world. Tears filled out eyes as we looked into hers. No words can describe the moment.

Zoey Jo Moon was 6.14 oz and 19 inches long. Though she looked like a frog when she was born, she was very healthy. The swelling subsided several hours later and she then looked like a little glowworm. Below are some pictures from the first few hours of her life.












We were released from the hospital at 6:00 Sunday and that is when the stress really set in. We had to get home and finish packing and cleaning the apartment so we could be checked out by 3:00 Monday. With the help of family and one very generous guy from my dads work we were able to get the truck loaded and off to Yakima. We finished cleaning at 2:40 and just made the deadline for vacating that day. Before leaving town we stopped by the school so Alex could turn in his final assignment and then we were on the road. Our little family of three was now on our way to our new home.

The next few days were spent getting settled in and just enjoying our new addition. So far she has been an excellent little girl. She is always so content, she eats and sleeps like a champ and Alex and I couldn't’t feel luckier. We love her so much and still can’t believe she is ours!!!! The following pictures are from the first week of her life and her first Sunday dress. I hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more Zoey updates.