Eliza’s Birth: Epilogue
[continued from part 4]
![eliza7[5]](http://hoperoadblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/eliza75.jpg "eliza7[5]")
Eliza was whisked away to the other side of the room so the NICU team could ensure she was breathing well and hadn’t aspirated meconium. She was doing fine, so they cleaned her up and returned her to me. Per a new hospital policy, we were given an hour and a half of bonding time in the delivery room before being moved to recovery, and they didn’t take her to give her a bath until I told them I was ready. Since Christian was whisked away not long after he was born, I absolutely relished getting to hold my baby girl and enjoy her for the first hours of her life.
Even in the midst of my happy bonding state, I was hyper-focused on food and asked A.J. to go find me some soup. He came back with a broccoli cheese Soup-in-Hand and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Who needs elaborate post-labor dinners? I just wanted food! I sipped it while holding my baby and being cleaned up, which makes me laugh to think about now.
My mom had flown down that morning, and she stayed with me in the hospital. In the morning, A.J. brought Christian to meet his little sister. It was a sweet moment. After he’d been there for several minutes and had already “held” her, she started to cry. He burst into sympathy tears and sobbed for a few minutes. We’ll definitely be telling him that story!
We’re so thankful for our little girl, and we’re loving life as a family of four! Thanks for hanging in there with me through this epically long story!
I liked that it was long. It was super sweet 
After delivering Cora I wanted Chick Fil A and Starbucks asap. That Starbucks is now gone but I am going to deliver Elinor at a different hospital that happens to have a Starbucks near by:) It’s amazing how hungry labor can make you!
So glad she’s finally here!
Congrats Anna! Thanks for sharing your story!!
The story has been so fun to read and the pictures so very sweet.
How awesome is it that your now a family of four?! Enjoy these precious precious moments of bonding with your little girl and watching your boy adjust to this new life!
When they placed Hannah on my chest for the first time after I delivered, I thought to myself, “Oh my word, she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Do you think they will let me eat something now?” 
So neat to read Eliza’s birth story, Anna. What a blessing. Sounds like a rollercoaster labor, for sure! I hope you are resting, recovering, and adjusting well.
Soooo sweet! I love all of her hair! I so remember feeling hungry afterwards, too. With Q I wanted a Dr. Pepper immediately, and with Sprig I didn’t get breakfast or lunch, and had been craving eggrolls so bad, B brought me Pei Wei. It was the best meal, ever.
So glad you got to have that bonding time! I think every mother should be privvy to that. We got to spend about 4 hours together before heading to our recovery room, and it was so wonderful. I kind of think that’s why I have so much better memories about her birth, because it just seemed more intimate. *sigh* I just love birth stories, I’m so glad you shared yours! (Oh, and Q still cries sympathy tears for Sprig, it’s pretty darn cute…and loud…)
Thank you for sharing your birth story. It is precious!
She is too precious, Anna! I love all the pictures, and I loved reading the story of how you became an official family of four!
Eliza’s birth story has been so fun to read, Anna! You have such a beautiful family.
I have really enjoyed reading Eliza’s birth story! Congratulations, Anna! She’s beautiful!
I’m so thrilled for you all!!!
bless your heart, it sounds like you have had some really rough labor experiences!! loved reading the story. so glad she’s here safe and sound hope you are enjoying your babymoon!
aw aw aw i can’t wait to meet her in 56 days!!