May 15, 2019 - 2 days until Kenn-Rae's arrival. At this point I had been conversing with Kenna-Rae for a few weeks, letting her know that anytime after dinner on May 16 she was welcome to start making her way into the big world (preferably between May 17-20).
May 16, 2019 - Aaron's birthday! We spent the morning & early afternoon at the Kingfisher Spa north of Courtenay. We enjoyed lovely massages and Aaron had a swim in the pool. Afterward we enjoyed lunch in the restaurant.
Then we walked down to the beach where there were dozens of eagles, and we gazed at them in absolute wonder!
May 16, 2019 11:55PM - We had been asleep for about an hour & a half when I suddenly woke up, and moments later my water broke. I woke Aaron, and right away the contractions began. I had planned on going back to bed and sleeping for a while as I expected a long haul of labour ahead of me, and thought it would be wise to get some rest. Aaron decided to call Yarrow, our midwife, and she came over to check things out as it appeared there was meconium in the water. After confirming the meconium was there, it was recommended we make our way to the hospital just to be safe, and Yarrow was going to go home and get some sleep until things progressed.
Aaron continued timing the contractions and the app timer was informing us to get to the hospital. Once I was finally able to make my way to the car we headed to the hospital arriving at 2am. I was having contractions so close together I had difficulty getting to the car to get to the hospital, and out of the car at the hospital, so Aaron got a chair to wheel me up to the maternity ward where they were expecting us. We were directed to our room and the nurse checked where things were at, and I was in active labour halfway to being fully dilated. She called Yarrow right away, and Yarrow made her way to the hospital. Within the 15 minutes it took for Yarrow to get there I was fully dilated and ready to push. Kenna-Rae arrived at 3:55AM. 4 hours from start to finish!
Aaron was a great support, and knew when to encourage me and when to just be quietly present. I couldn't have asked for a better birth partner!
Time for skin on skin.
The only time she was happy being swaddled.
A visit from our amazing midwife Yarrow.
Once we got a bit of rest and settled, my brother and his family and then my Dad came by the hospital to meet our new arrival. Kenna-Rae being held by her big cousin Kane, who just adores her!
Kole enjoying his new little cousin.
Uncle Ray
Auntie Nicole
Papa
Kenna-Rae
has Aaron's blood type, which was competing with my blood type, and that
triggered quick onset of jaundice. We were given a bili-blanket to treat
the jaundice, and ended up staying an additional 2 days until
Kenna-Rae's bilirubin levels had dropped.
Kenna-Rae's first bath, which she absolutely loved!
After 3 days in the hospital it was finally time to go home:)
