Ayla Jean Chabot

Ayla Jean Chabot: born Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 2:19 PM. Weighing 6 pounds 3 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches long.

Ayla (pronounced 'I La') Hebrew: The Oak Tree, Turkish: Moon Glow
Jean-Nana's middle name

Before you read this blog post I must insist you go back in time 2 years and 4 months and read this blog post. I decided to go back and read some of our posts from Cole's first few days of life and I couldn't believe what I read in this particular post. So, go on, read it now, and when you're done you may continue on with this one. I'll wait...


Done? Okay, very short side story. I didn't remember Adrien writing that post as a play by play with times included. A few days ago I get an email from Adrien and it is a 'note' he kept on his iPhone during our time at the hospital last week. Amazing! He kept notes on everything that was happening-times included. Here's why I wanted you to read that post about my experience giving birth to Cole: (Remember what a long day that was?)

My email from Adrien-
8-1000am consistent contracts
1000am arrive
1045 to room
1130 3cm/80%
120 7cm
209 push
219 baby

Let me break this down for you now and add a little pizzazz.

8:00-10:00 Consistent Contractions:
I started having contractions when I woke up Thursday morning but didn't pay much attention because they weren't very regular. Around 8:00/8:15 I started keeping track of those stinkers because they started to feel more regular. By 10:00 I had been having mild to moderate contractions every 5-7 minutes. Off to the hospital we went per my doctor's instructions. 

10:00 Arrive at Hospital:
When we arrived the nurses seemed a bit perplexed that we would just show up. They asked if I was scheduled to be there (meaning have a c-section???) or if my water had broken. Answering no to both questions landed us in a waiting room for 45 minutes! The funny part? I had three contractions in the 45 minutes we were waiting. Adrien and I started looking at each other saying, "we're totally going to be sent home!"

10:45 Brought to a Delivery Room:
 I was finally brought to a room, dressed in a hospital gown and strapped to the monitors. My contractions were irregular going anywhere from 8-12 minutes apart.

11:30 First Internal Check:
The nurse checked me for the first time at 11:30. I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Not bad but not great considering my, now, irregular contractions! I thought one of two things would happen: 1) we'd be going home or 2) I was going to have a day JUST like my day with Cole. We even brought a card game this time anticipating having time to relax (once the epidural kicked in!!!). The nurse excused herself saying she was going to call my doctor to find out what she wanted me to do. She returned just before noon and said my instructions were to get out of bed and walk the halls until 12:45. At that point we would return to the room and she would check me again. Off we went for a leisurely stroll through the halls. I had a few minor contractions during our first 3 or 4 laps. Then I had a CONTRACTION! I almost couldn't hold myself up it was so strong. I told Adrien I'd had enough walking and wanted to go back to bed. We got back to our room right at 12:30 and just in time for another CONTRACTION! I got back into bed and had a few more that were quite painful but I didn't notice as much due to the deep breathing Adrien was counting me through. My whole body had gone numb because the pain from the previous two contractions caused me to hyperventilate! Ooops.

1:20 Second Internal Check:
My doctor finally came in to check me as I'm still doing deep breathing to relax and finding it actually does help get through the contractions (who knew Lamaze was right!?). Whoa Nelly! I was 7 cm dilated!! I asked for an epidural NOW PLEASE but had to wait because I hadn't even technically been admitted. Sure I was wearing the right outfit and laying in the right bed but I hadn't been stuck with my IV yet or given fluids. People came in at a somewhat quicker pace to get my IV going and draw blood but I NEVER did see that anesthesiologist! Contractions continue until...

2:09 Time to Push:
Everyone had left the room and Adrien and I were totally in sync-"breathe in for 7, hold it for 2, breathe out for 7". All of a sudden I felt what I had heard people tell me you would feel but never believed them. My entire belly bore down toward my knees and I felt like I had to sit on the toilet pronto! My exact words were, "Adrien, I have to push!" to which he responded, " Don't, you can't push yet." We waited out another contraction which did not give me that feeling but the third one sure did. My wonderful husband pushed the call button and a very prompt (thank goodness) nurse casually walked in asking, "what can I do for you?" "I HAVE TO PUSH!" "Oh, okay, so and so, call the doctor. Blah blah blah blah." I remember my doctor coming in, checking me, exclaiming, "oh yeah, you're at 10!" And then everyone looking like they do in cartoons where they are all a blur because they're moving so fast!

2:19 Baby is Born:
That's right folks-TEN MINUTES OF PUSHING! and my little Ayla was born.  Whatever happened to pushing for an hour and a half? Whatever happened to have an epidural so I could be oblivious to the pain my body was bearing? Whatever happened to playing Monopoly Deal for 5 hours!!!??? Unbelievable! What an amazing experience this was. Sure I have some bragging rights now; I gave birth 100% naturally. But when asked what I would choose if we decide to have baby number three my response was epidural all the way! :)

I know this is getting awfully long and most people really don't care about our birth story but this blog is not just for our readers-it's for us to always remember the big moments in our life. Thursday, August 16, 2012 is a day I never want to forget! I'd also like to add for prosperity: this is essentially how my mother's birth went when I was born. I was born on a Thursday, three days early (Ayla was also three days early). The 16th happens to be the date Ayla's grandpa was born (just in December instead of August) so even though she doesn't get to carry on the name John for him-she does get a birthday connection. :)

Now for the fun part. Since Ayla was born so early in the afternoon, Cole was able to come visit that same day. Nana and Nandad had jumped right in that morning in taking care of Cole Man for us. They all came to the hospital after dinner to meet our princess. Cole's first reaction to Ayla was a shock to Adrien and I. I don't even want to explain it in words, I will let the picture tell that story.

After this Cole turned his head sideways, laid it on her little bundle, and stuck his finger in his mouth!

Here is the rest of the past week in photos-nothing else matters! :)

We better take one last belly shot in case this is really it!

Daddy, Mommy, and Ayla!

Chubby cheeks in this one but so peaceful! Only hours old here.

Cole's visit on Friday. "I want to hold her!"

Mommy and Ayla time Saturday morning.

Nana holding her granddaughter.

Nose rubs for Ayla-Cole's Saturday visit.

(We were able to go home later that day.)

Here we go!!

I don't care if she's smiling because she's pooping or what, it is so stinkin cute!!!

Some awake time with Mommy while the boys were both napping! 

Adrien's idea. I LOVE IT!!!!

And YAY!!!! I FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO GET VIDEOS UPLOADED AGAIN!!!!!!

Turn your volume up, the sound seems very quiet on my computer. 

We asked Cole to sing to Ayla. The first is the ABC's and the second is Baa Baa Black Sheep (I need to add for the sheep song that Cole was not prompted in lyrics in ANY WAY!)

Welcome to the world Ayla Jean!!!