So much to be thankful for

As I reflect on Willa's birth and hospital stay I realize how incredibly thankful I am for so many things.
Here are some of them (in no particular order):

-our midwife Heather (who was also the midwife who helped deliver Etta). She gave us choices for induction and supported our decisions, she let me labor like I wanted and did not put restrictions on my mobility, she encouraged me during my pushing phase, she helped calm and reassure me during those scary first few minutes when Willa was being given oxygen and I still had to deal with the uncomfortable but necessary post-birth procedures like delivering the placenta and having a tear stitched up. She sat with us for a bit as we waited for my ambulance and admitted that she had been asking herself the same questions I was asking "could we have prevented this?". She left a couple phone messages because she wanted to talk to me in person. When we did talk the afternoon of Willa's discharge I gave her an update on how well baby Willa was doing and she told me how she had reviewed the birth with the nurse who was there as well as an OB as she tried to step back and think through if she should have done things differently. She cared so much about how me and my baby were doing and we both were in tears by the end of the phone call. It was a very healing conversation for both of us and if I were to have another baby I would do everything in my power to once again have her be the one catching my baby. To top it all of, she is a solid Christian woman.

-our doula Heather (who was also Lori's doula for baby Daphne's birth) who consistently checked in with me as we got close to my due date, who helped us ask informed questions about our induction choices, who was physically & emotionally present for me when Matt was in a different room with baby before transport, who came with me in the ambulance and made sure Matt & I got settled at First Hill before leaving (by taxi at 11pm) and who visited at the hospital then gave me a ride home when I needed a few hours away from the hospital.

-all the nurses at First Hill who cheerfully took such good care of baby Willa and communicated with me. They knew what her needs were and tried to push the Drs in the right direction, they supported me in my brestfeeding and kept me up-to-date on any changes or new plans.

-Kristin - a fellow mom from church who has a boy Etta's age and was due with a girl one week after me and who used the same midwives. She prayed for us, she asked questions about my appointments, she provided emotional support and encouragement, we shared jokes and tears all through emails. Her birth did not go as planned either and she had to be induced (with our midwife Heather!) then ended up with a c-section, but we are both so thankful for our healthy girls who are finally here. We can not wait for our girls to meet and to grow up together in Sunday School classes!

-Matt who was uncomplaining about so many things including: changing his work schedule around so I could go to a few extra dr's appointments as I passed my due date, his driving to & from the hospital, the parking garage fees I know he hates paying, the co-op classes he attended in my place, the extra meals eaten out, his limited visits with Willa when she was in the hospital, etc. And who at home has been willing to change diapers, give Willa a bottle, help Willa fall asleep (no matter how long it takes), get the big girls out of the house for a while, make dinner, etc.

-Matt's mom Karen who was basically on-call for an entire month as we waited for baby to come. She rearranged some responsibilities and stayed at our house for a few days during the induction and hospital stay. She cooked yummy healthy food for the girls, kept them busy with art projects, kept them on schedule and provided stability during the unexpected post-birth complications.

-my parents who have been staying with us for a few days. Playing with the big girls, attending co-op classes in my place, holding baby Willa, watching all 3 while Matt and I went out to a quick dinner, etc.

-my friend Becky who visited at the hospital to keep me company, who walked slowly with me as I went to the drug store to pick up my prescriptions, who made sure I got food in my body, who set up a meal-train and who visited us at home to see how we were settling in.

-all our friends & family who have been showering us with well-wishes, signing up to bring us meals, giving sweet baby presents, offering playdates, etc.

-I am thankful for the resiliency of newborns. And for the medical advancements and technology (along with the support services and social services) that can help so many babies who are born premature, who were born to drug-addicted mothers, who suffer from hypoxia, etc

-baby Willa- I am so incredibly thankful for such a beautiful, healthy baby. The fact that due to her short hospital stay she can be comforted by a pacifier at times and that she takes a bottle like a pro are icing on the cake :)

I am thankful to God for all these people and all these things, and I know I am truly blessed.