what's in a name?

Dear Evangeline...

Choosing a name for you was no easy task.  As with your brother, we could not come to a final decision until we actually met you...saw your face.  A few names were in the running, but once we met you, we knew.  Evangeline, your name is very special to us.  We wanted your name to tell a story...our story...and someday your story too.  We wanted your name to mean something more than just "we liked the sound of it".  We wanted it to represent the kind of person we want you to become.

I originally fell in love with the name "Evangeline" after reading Uncle Tom's Cabin.  The angelic heroine in the novel that befriends and loves Uncle Tom is Evangeline St. Clair, or "Little Eva".  After Tom saves her from drowning, she convinces her father to purchase him for their household as a slave...and she and Tom become fast friends.  Eva has a pure heart and never sees Tom or any of the other slaves as unequal.  She speaks love and forgiveness and shares her heart with them all.  She was a beacon of light and hope and kindness where there was often none for the slaves.  Such a beautiful girl, inside and out.

But your name took on a whole new truth when we looked up it's actual meaning..."bearer of good news".  For you, my sweet girl, could not have brought gladder tidings to our lives.  After praying and trying for more than 2 years for another child...after suffering a miscarriage...after being told by doctors there was no way we could get pregnant again without expensive medical intervention...and after deciding that we did not want to walk down that road...the surprise of YOU was the best news we had received in years.  After living every day with the weight of infertility, you were a gift of light and JOY, and, as far as we are concerned, a miracle created by God.

Evangeline...every time I say your name I am reminded of what a special gift you are to us.

I love you sweetie!

Mommy

How she came...

Our alarm went off...just like any other morning.  Keith and I rolled out of bed, got dressed, grabbed our things, and left for the hospital.  Outside, it was still dark.  All was calm and quiet.  Sleep had been a distant companion the night before.  I lay awake most of the night wondering, praying, and anticipating the arrival of our baby girl the next day.

The drive to the hospital was very different from my last experience.  With Isaac, I was also scheduled for an induction, but he decided to make his entrance on his own 2 hours before I was scheduled to be induced.  I was 7 cm by time I got to the hospital, which means I felt EVERY bump, crack, and tiny pebble Keith drove over.  This time, we rode peacefully, holding hands, listening to calming music.  It was all too surreal.

We arrived at 6 am.  They started the induction at 8 am.  My doctor came and broke my water at 8:30 and said she would check in again around lunch with a possible delivery around 2pm.  But shortly thereafter, the contractions became more regular...and quickly quite intense.  Keith was urging me toward epidural...but let me comment on that...

I am EXTREMELY phobic of needles!  Always have been.  If there was anything one thing I feared most about having a child it was the epidural.  So, my twisted logic was if I let the pain get a little worse, then I won't care about that very LARGE needle going in to my back!!  Finally, Keith quit listening to me and marched out of the room to notify that I needed the epidural.  I could barely sit up by that time, was shaking from pain and fear while I leaned forward on my hubby for support.  (Aside...how do women have babies without husbands like Keith by their side?  His support, tenderness, energy, and optimism 100% got me through! Shout out to you babe!  I love you!!!!)

The next contraction I had after they lay me down was one of "the ones".  If you've have a baby, then you know which "ones" I'm talking about.

"Whoa, that felt really different!" I shouted.

My nurse said she would come back to check me in a minute.  No meds had been injected at this point.  The anesthesiologist was still double-checking placement.  Next contraction...OH MY HEAVENS AND ALL THINGS HIGH ABOVE!  Keith saw the panic in my face and ran to get the nurse.  She checked...I was 9.5 cm and practically ready to push.  It was only about 10:30.  She called my doctor who came rushing over from clinic.  I'm freaking out because this baby I swear is about to come out!  Somebody get down THERE!!!!

Doctor rushed in, threw on some gloves, checked me, and told me to start pushing.  I'm still feeling everything people!  EVERYTHING!  I heard the nurse comment something about giving me the "delivery dose".  Does that still matter if I am in the midst DELIVERING?  Apparently not, because I did not start to feel any slight relief until after she was out.  About a half hour later...my legs were completely numb and I couldn't feel a thing.  Nice.  Thank you Mr. Anesthesia.

She was born at 11:12 am.  Safely, healthy, perfect, and beautiful.

Please join us in welcoming Evangeline Marie DeSonier to our family.

Born October 2, 2012 at 11:12 am

7 pounds 7 ounces

19 inches long

More pics to come once we are home!!!

From 3 to 4

Tomorrow morning our baby is scheduled to come in to this world.

Tomorrow morning.

I'm pretty sure sleep will not happen tonight...then again...I haven't really been sleeping lately anyway.

These belly pics were taken a little over a month ago by a dear friend...before I got to the beached whale phase of pregnancy.

Isaac has been waiting patiently to meet his new baby sister.  He has proudly named her after his favorite rhinoceros at the zoo, Chalupa.  Keith and I have narrowed our choices down and have decided to wait until we meet her to make a decision.  I can tell you that it will NOT be "Chalupa"...much to Isaac's dismay.

He has been very curious about how Chalupa is actually going to come out....asking randomly if she was going to come out of my hand or my mouth.  Uh...no sweetie.  I respond by saying my doctor is going to help her come out...and then direct him to Keith for further explanation.  Eh hem.

We told him she was going to bring him a "big brother" present.  I asked if he wanted to get her a baby sister present.  His response:

"Yes I do.  I little baby Christmas tree!"

So, we made a trip a few days ago to Hobby Lobby where he picked out a tiny silver tree with pink sparkly ball ornaments, mini candy cane ornaments, and a pink fluffy tree skirt.  Seriously.  Sweet little man.

So...I'm signing off.  As soon as I can I will post pictures of our baby girl.

Tomorrow our perfect family of three will be an even, perfect four.