Halloween brought a very special treat this year. Our little sweetheart Hailey Grace Geraghty made her appearance at 12:04pm on October 31. She weighed in at 6 pounds 11 ounces and was 19 inches long. She's healthy, happy, and absolutely perfect.
Finally meeting my baby girl
So happy!
Just a little peanut
Hi Daddy
His first time holding her
All the pain is already forgotten
Proud Daddy
Getting acquainted
She looks a lot like Caden's baby pictures
Hailey showed me early on that she was going to be a tough kid, and maybe a runner! My running club Stroller Warriors kept me motivated and confident to run throughout my pregnancy. Because of their encouragement and support, I finished four half marathons, including one in March (7 weeks), April (11 weeks), May (15 weeks), and June (19 weeks). I also completed a Couch to 5K training during my second and third trimester and raced a 5K when I was 35 weeks. Hailey was an obliging training partner and enabled me to meet goals I never envisioned possible. I even had an opportunity to write an article for Military Spouse Magazine about my experience (https://docs.google.com/open?
Mini Warrior on Board (but not much longer...)
38 weeks 4 days and READY
Unfortunately, shortly after her arrival I became sick. My body ached and I experienced relentless stomach issues. By Sunday, my body responded with minor contractions. Perhaps these flu-like symptoms were the onset of labor! Since over 50 of my Stroller Warriors were competing in the Marine Corps Marathon that morning in Washington D.C., it seemed a fitting time that to do a marathon of my own.
I felt miserable all day Sunday and battled the occasional contractions to no avail. The contractions subsided by the evening and I woke up Monday feeling improved. It must have been the 3-day flu and the dehydration caused the contractions. Perhaps the pressure changes from Hurricane Sandy caused the issues as well. Whatever the case, it was a false alarm. At least the hurricane was a false alarm for North Carolina as well. I gave birth to Caden during a blizzard and birth to Cole in the pouring rain. So birth in a tropical storm did not top my list of desired activities!
Tuesday morning launched another episode. I woke up around 2am with noticeable contractions. This time they were 4-5 minutes apart, lasting about 30 seconds, and seemed more legit than Sunday’s tease. Of course my husband was on overnight duty. Why wouldn’t he be when I was going into labor. They released him to come home and take me to the hospital. Instead of pushing our luck, we decided to leave early and beat rush hour traffic. The drive to the hospital was stress-free, quiet, and pleasant. What a strange change of pace compared with the Nascar style driving we did with Caden and Cole.
Upon arrival, they confirmed that I was dialated only 2-3 cm. They put me on a walking assignment, something I had never done before. I sent Brian off to class while I did my 2-hour walking marathon through the halls. Already, I had spent more time at the hospital than my prior two deliveries combined. The hospital staff thought I was a loitering vagrant. “M’am, are you lost?!” Eh, define lost. As in, I think my baby is lost and can’t find her way out. Can you help with that?
By the end of my walking marathon, contractions had subsided. And I was still only 3 cm. They asked what I wanted to do. Um, see ya later. If she was not ready, then neither am I. So yet another false alarm. I slept for 3 hours late that afternoon and woke up feeling improved but not 100%. I was so ready to just have her and these false alarms and ongoing contractions were exasperating.
Wednesday morning rolled around and I woke up with some sharp contractions. Stranger yet, my water broke. I had never had that happen at home. Finally…this is REAL. I labored for a couple hours and then woke Brian around 3:30. My mom heard us milling about and excitedly came downstairs. She hugged me and sent me off with a special gift for her granddaughter. Having her here was awesome. It was so simple to leave knowing she had everything under control with the house and the boys. Better yet, there’s nothing like having your Mom right there supporting you for such a important moment.
Our brief hospital drive was easy and familiar. Didn't we just do this recently?! They got us set up in the room and this is when the race officially started. At only 4cm, I had a long way to go. They hooked me up to machines and asked a ton of questions. Once again, this was something I had never experienced prior since I had always labored at home. They were all so nice but the constant interruption and the cumbersome wires and monitors everywhere left me inwardly agitated.
On the plus side, they had very helpful ideas about how to labor, like using a yoga ball and some massage therapy and applying pressure to reduce pain. These contractions were intense and since I always choose natural delivery and no epidural, I was a willing student. I was also amused by the costumes. It was Halloween after all. The corpsmen assigned to me included a teenage mutant ninja turtle and an adult-sized baby.
Holiday Spirit
This is hard work.
Progression was slow.
Brian was incredibly supportive and encouraging me every single step. (Well, aside from when he slept in between contractions!) Hailey continued to challenge me. What was the hold up?! They suggested maybe it was time for me to do
some walking. Great. More vagrant wandering. But that’s when we got hit with a curve-ball.
Hailey’s heart rate dropped for a significant duration. Our nurse began to mill about quickly and
called in the doctors. I was immediately
put into the bed and given oxygen. I
nervously inquired what was happening.
They said based on her position she might be pinching her cord and they
needed to monitor her more closely. They
proceeded to apply a monitor directly to her scalp. After about 20 minutes they seemed to relax
again and feel she was out of the woods.
But that sealed the deal. I would
be hooked up to all those extra monitors for the duration and stuck in the bed. Worse yet, I was worried about
her safety.
Thus began the last 10K of Hailey’s marathon, undoubtedly the most difficult part for both of us. I became tearful out of exhaustion and emotional distress. The oxygen mask made me claustrophobic. Brian and the nurses wholeheartedly encouraged me but I could not seem to shake my panic and exhaustion.
Here is where I share the best labor advice I have ever received, and the key to getting me through.
PRAYER.
My dear friend Jill texted me early that morning,
expressing her excitement and assuring me she was praying.
She suggested that I offer up each contraction to an intention. The Lord hears the prayers of a laboring
woman loud and clear! She said it would
help me focus.
It worked. Every contraction hurt
worse than the last but because I was offering up prayers for someone or
something, it gave the contractions purpose.
I could certainly endure 60 seconds of excruciating pain if it meant
helping someone close to me. I prayed
for everything. I prayed for Caden, and
Cole, and Brian, and all our family members. I prayed for Hailey’s health. I prayed for my own strength. I prayed for our deployed troops, and some
specific Marines that we need home safely.
I prayed for God’s will in the election.
I prayed for world peace. I
prayed for friends to be blessed with their own babies. I prayed for the
restored health of ailing friends and family.
I prayed for cures for diseases. I prayed for a cure to Spinal Muscular
Atrophy. (And by the way, that
contraction was the worst one, toward the end, 2 minutes long.) I even prayed for our nurse’s
father-in-law. I realized I had a
contraction coming and drew a blank on an intention. I looked at her and quickly relayed what I
was doing. She appeared confused at
first and said, “Sweetie, you do whatever you need to do.” I pressed her again. “No, do YOU have something in YOUR life that
is happening right now that I can pray for.”
She looked at me intently and said, “Well my Father-in-Law was just
diagnosed with cancer.” I assured her the
next contraction was for him. Her smile
alone was enough to make that contraction more bearable.
Jill, thank you for helping
me. Oh, and I prayed for you too.\
So the power of prayer pulled me through the hours and after what seemed like
an eternity, it was finally time to push.
I had quite a crowd, including 1
doctor, 3 residents, 1 nurse, 1 nursing student, and 2 corpsmen. They didn’t get much of a show. Two pushes and we were done. Brian said the two doctors
weren’t even quite ready and instead of receiving Hailey, she slid onto the bed! Of course she was fine and they just did not
expect her to come quite that fast. She
"sprinted" through the finish.
Hailey’s scores were perfect. Her
loud cries were reassuring as that means her respiratory system is strong! We will not do any testing for Spinal
Muscular Atrophy until her 2-month appointment but in my heart, I believe she has
been spared this disease.
As you can see from all the pictures, she’s
beautiful! She has dark hair that encircles
her head and light colored eyebrows and long light lashes. Her
eyes are a very dark gray so maybe she’ll be a brown-eyed girl like her
Mama. She strongly resembles Caden’s
baby pictures and favors Brian. Her
ears, nose, and chin are all him. She’s
got pretty cherry red lips and a tiny round face. She seems so tiny but fills out her newborn
clothing well. Her build is different
from Caden and Cole. Her torso is longer
and she does not have the gangly frog legs they had. She’s also much more petite. Caden was 8 lb 3 0z, Cole was 7 lb 8 oz, and
this little peanut was only 6 lb, 11 oz.
My Mom bought her this adorable outfit
The boys gave her this lamb (thanks Hilton family!)
We weren’t expecting an October baby and certainly not Halloween. She was due on the Marine Corps birthday 10 days later but apparently she had a different holiday in mind. Despite doubling up with a holiday, we’ll always strive to make it extra special and the bonus is she’ll have a party no matter where she goes.
I’m sure you’re curious about the boys’ reactions. Caden has been excited for months and could not wait to meet her. During his Halloween parade at school, my Mom told him that his baby sister had arrived. That afternoon he came streaking off the school bus, saying, “So do I have a baby sister?!” She said he was absolutely ecstatic. The boys came to the hospital in their costumes and Caden was in total awe. He has doted on her ever since, giving her kisses, stroking her cheek, telling her he’ll protect her, and asking her to play video games with him.
The boys meet their sister for the first time
Family of five
Trick or treat
Cole is still coming around. He was extremely clingy to Brian the first few days and wanted lots of hugs from all of us. Every time Hailey cries, he asks, “Is baby mad?!” We’ve also tried to explain to him that he is a big brother now too, but he generally gets agitated and points at Caden and says, “No, Caden is brother.” He has been giving her more kisses recently and likes to say her name. He held her yesterday for the first time!
Heading home
Caden and Cole welcome her home.
Cole gives Hailey a kiss. Kind of.
Proud Brothers
Caden introduces Hailey to his class.
Hailey: "Who's horrible idea was this."
Cole agrees to hold sister on day 9
Hailey loves to be cuddled, especially in the middle of the night! She’s a good eater and was almost back up to birth weight in only 3 days time. She loathes diaper changes and baths and she lets us know it! Every so often she gets an upset stomach but aside from that, her crying is minimal.
Having fun with Dad
Snuggle bug
Such a tiny little peanut
The boys snap some photos of their sis
Transition has been easy. Of course, Mom was an immense help with that. She does everything!!! It’s like having 3 of me around. She was very happy to be here. She went crazy with shopping and enjoyed revealing Hailey's cute new wardrobe. She was also ecstatic to find a home for this special quilt. She made it 6 years ago when Caden was born, since the gender was a surprise. The gorgeous quilt was waiting for Miss Hailey to come along.
Proud Grandma
Another outfit and homemade blanket from Grandma
Three Generations
Trying to convince Cole to hold her
Grandma soaked up every minute she could
The Stroller Warriors bring us meals every night and the meal train continues for a few more weeks. That is an incredible gift which I will regret to give up! They're much better cooks than me. They showered us with gifts and clothing as well. So blessed.
I’ll write another blog soon to update you on our lives in general. But in short, the boys are doing great. Caden is thriving in kindergarten and just finished up his first season of soccer. He took a fall on our deck and fractured his left arm so unfortunately he could not play his last few games. He's healing quickly though. Cole has been advancing in therapy and received the trailer for his wheelchair 2 weeks ago. We are so thankful for everyone that helped us obtain this necessary asset to secure his freedom and mobility. Brian is enrolled in a school here at Lejeune called Advanced Course. It's the standard 6-week course that all Gunnery Sergeants have to complete before they are promoted to the next rank. He will not travel and hours will be normal. It’s awesome to have him around for this. As a military family, we are a rare exception in that he has been able to be here for all three of my pregnancies and births. We are thankful. I have given over my responsibilities to three very capable Stroller Warriors so I can take maternity leave for the remainder of the year. Life almost seems to have slowed down, despite adding another family member.
Brotherly love
The Raptors receive their trophies
Caden and Jackson
Cole's new trailer!
Putting Cole to work
He always looks forward to PT sessions with Miss Chris
Caden's first school field trip to Mike's Farm
Cole the race car driver. "I'm goin' faster and faster!"
Cole checks out his spider pumpkin
Trick or treating in Hunter's Creek with Erin and Jackson
After years of away, Brian does not take holidays together for granted
Thank you all for your sweet messages via email, text, voicemail, and
Facebook. I apologize that I have not
been responsive but I read them all and they make me smile. We will not be doing any major travel until
the new year but we are always open to visitors! Pat and Pam are going to come meet their newest granddaugther over Thanksgiving and my parents plan to fly out again over Caden's birthday in January. I hope you can meet our little pumpkin soon as well.
