The day was here - we finally got the chance to meet Jane!
2025-07-30
We had a scheduled induction date for a bunch of reasons, so the trip to the hospital was a lot less hectic than it was with Sara. We woke in the morning and got a call around 7a that we should head on into the hospital. We aimed for the 7:55a ferry and missed (primarily because of me) and we ended up getting on the 8:45a instead. We drove up the hill and parked to head upstairs.
Everything got a fairly slow start - which was fine. It was nice to be calm and relaxed during the early part of the process. Angela did some of the stretching/exercises in the morning and then we settled in the early afternoon - things progressed quickly from there and at 11:32p, we had a baby. 7 lbs 14 oz and 20.5 inches long.
This whole thing could not have been more different than with Sara - labor was comparatively much shorter, no NICU, and Angela was in good spirits much sooner. You can never complain about a healthy baby and certainly no labor/birth is easy, but needless to say we were very happy.
Like most babies, Jane slept for a little while - she was nice and cozy in her little burrito.
She did a bit of sleeping and sort of half awake nursing and then took a longer nap - We might call this the first time she actually woke up in the real world…
And then, like all babies, she let us know that she was hungry!
2025-07-31
The next morning, we were whisked away out of the birthing room and into the recovery room. We said goodbye to our old room - which we left in shambles!
Both rooms were nice, but this one was a bit less so. On the flip side, there was less equipment so it was a bit less clinical. Angela still had some lingering effects of the epidural and they put her on fall watch - which was funny more than anything else. She was fine a few hours after we got to the new room and was walking around again, but we had fall risk signs everywhere for the rest of our stay - including a very fancy wrist bracelet.
Sara & grandparents came to visit in the early afternoon. We had been looking forward to this all day and Sara was so excited to meet Jane and be with us again. I took her on a special mission - and we went to the hospital gift shop to get matching stuffed animals for her and Jane - she opted for a little bunny with a yellow hat.
Sara also brought a book with her and she read to Jane for a little while - This put Jane right to sleep, I think she liked the sound of her voice.
Here’s Jane being introduced to her new bunny.
Sara was very disappointed to have to leave, but Angela needed some more rest and so we said goodbye for now. We were thinking about trying to head home today, but Angela needed some more rest before we made the journey so we opted to spend the night. Angela took a nap after Sara left and I went out into the world to grab some food. Later in the evening, Angela’s sisters came to visit for a short bit.
Angela was feeling much better in the evening and we told the nurse we were ready - she said we could probably get us out of there in time for the 7:55a ferry. Ya!
2025-08-01
Angela and Jane were fully recovered in the morning. Jane was eating and Angela was fully rested/recovered (or as much as you can be 30 hours after giving birth) and we were ready to head home.
Unfortunately, the hospital was in no hurry to get us on our way so we wildly missed the 7:55a ferry and we didn’t pack Jane into her car seat until around noon - but still, we were on our way home and excited about it.
We got a note from the doctor that allowed us to cut the line at the ferry - which was amazing as the ferry was pretty backed up by the time we got there. They were boarding though, and we got right on. I took Jane up top for the ride back to Bainbridge so she could look out at the Puget Sound - but she slept instead.
Sara ended up getting home right before us, so we were re-united as soon as we got back. Sara was eager to help and we had her put Jane down for a nap when she started looking sleepy
Then later, after Jane woke up again, Sara took over responsibility for rocking her in her baby lounger
And both Sara and I were responsible for getting Jane into here exercise routine - Tummy time!
And, of course, even the best 8 year old needs a break from the baby - Sara found her spot in a cardboard box listening to Harry Potter on Audible… :)
2025-08-02
The next morning we braved out into the world - heading to brunch at the Madison street diner. We were pretty proud of ourselves for getting out - even if it was very brief.
We spent the rest of the day getting accustomed to our new life - spending some time on the patio and working on figuring out a new routine.
Safe and sound - our family was together and ready to take on this new life chapter, as a family of four!
