Meet Paige Morgan

In summary, the birth of Paige Morgan was a success!

At 33 weeks I went into false labor with contractions every 5 minutes for several hours.  The ultra sound showed a very thin cervix with the baby's head very low and in position.  This was also the case with Lee, so I was not surprised.  I ended up needing to stay the night at the hospital with an IV and contraction medications to slow everything down.

I hate staying at the hospital.  I had an IV that was poorly set and got no sleep.  When they checked me in the morning everything was under control and looked good. I was sent home with medication to stop false contractions and partial bed rest, which meant no heavy lifting, and only low impact exercise.

So, I carried on without any running and trying not to hold Lee.... How do you not hold your baby?! During the next several weeks I managed my contractions with medication and walked daily.  Then, 3 weeks later, to the day, contractions started during my morning walk.  I had just taken the contraction meds prior to which are supposed to calm them down unless I am going into labor.  I wasn't having pain yet, so I proceeded with my agenda for the day.

Tanner was out of town for interviews so I planned to be with people in case I needed help.  Lee and I went to the library for story time before we would meet Grammy for lunch or something fun.  It didn't take long after being at the library that the contractions began to be painful.  I was now worried things were moving along too quickly and I was alone with Lee.  I let my doctor, Tanner and Grammy know.  My doctor said to lay down and rest and to go to the hospital if contractions came closer together or grew more painful. So I came home from the library around 1 or 2 pm and Grammy would come over after Lee and I took a nap.  

Tanner had finished 2 of his 3 interviews, and decided to get on the first flight home to be with me when I have the baby.  Lee and I napped for about an hour or so.  I was feeling better but found myself lying on the floor or crawling around.  Grammy soon came over and I decided to leave Lee with my neighbor friend while I checked things out at the hospital with Robin.  

Walking into the hospital I was still not convinced the baby was really coming and I felt I was acting premature.  But the pain grew and while checking into my room I had to crouch down during contractions.  My doctor wasn't working that night but stopped in to see me.  She checked me around 5 pm at a 6 1/2 and told me I am definitely having this baby tonight.  I started crying because Tanner wasn't there.  I knew my baby may come early, but I just wanted Tanner with me.

I called Tanner and told him they were moving me to labor and delivery and hoped he could get there in time.  His flight was arriving in SLC at 11 pm.  So I informed all the nurses and doctors that my husband needs to be here for the delivery!  They thought that was possible and decided to not check or mess with me for awhile to help stall my laboring. 

In the meantime, I hung out on the bed and listened to mine and the baby's heart beats.  Contractions continued and were progressively getting more intense through the hours.  Sometime after 10 pm, I was feeling ready and in pain.  The contractions were close and long, and the breaks seemed to disappear.  The contractions were getting too strong and intense for the baby to endure.  Her heart rate would drop dangerously low several times.

So the team of doctors and nurses came in and check me at an 8.  I knew Tanner would be there soon, but I couldn't hold off any longer!  I needed to get the baby out ASAP.  I felt calm and in control but still a bit eager to push her out.  With the help of the team of doctors and Robin, I would push 3 times for 10 long seconds during each contraction.  After 5 contractions, her heart rate was still  dipping too low, so they pulled out a little suction cup to place on her head.  On this the 6th one, I finally felt like I figured out how to push (with all my might!) and she came out!  10:45 pm.

She screamed and was beautiful!  Relieved, I began to cry.  Then Robin told me Tanner just landed.  They cleaned the little 5 lb 9 oz, and 19 inch babe quickly and gave her to me to hold.   I held her for over an hour and her little hand held tightly to my finger!  One of the most precious times for me as a mother.  And she even latched on!  The moment Tanner walked in the room he came to me and hugged me as I held our baby girl.  Everything was perfect.

Lee came the next morning and was so excited to meet her baby sister.  I can just imagine these two little princesses playing together, laughing and running around.  Different from Lee's experience at the hospital, we only had to stay for a day and a half.  And it took us the whole time to come up with her name.  We had a list of about 5 names and none of them were fitting.  Until finally we agreed on a name not on our list.  Paige Morgan.  I love it more and more.

Paige pasted all the tests, but had a high biliruben count.  This was also the case with Lee.  So instead of having her under the lights at the hospital, we were able to have a bili bed and blanket for the first week home until it wasn't a concern anymore.  I just hated all the heel pricks she had to endure!  So sad.

It was a bit of a shock that first week with no sleep and remembering how to care for a newborn again.  I could never burp her very well and so assumed she didn't have to burp.  Not so.  She would basically throw up everything I gave her.   We were all sick too, Tanner, Lee and I.  It was a rough start, but got better once sicknesses ended.  Tanner is always so helpful and very hands on with both Lee and Paige.  I also have such great mom's in my life that cooked and cleaned and played with Lee for the first several weeks.  

Paige is now 2 months old.  I can't believe it!  The holidays kept us very busy and time has just flown by.  I am so happy to have my 2 little girls.  They are so precious.  And Lee is such a sweet big sister.  She calls her "baby Paige" and whenever she looks at her says "awe, she is so little" and "she is so pretty."  She makes sure Paige has her blankie just like her.  Lee is still attached to her baby blankie.  I never want them to grow up!

Having Paige has definitely changed my perspective with racing and training.  While I still have personal goals and dreams, my family will always come first and make me the happiest.  I have no plan right now.  Paige is in charge for the moment.  But I try to get my runs in, even though it doesn't happen everyday.  I am learning to be flexible and take what I can.  Having a family is the greatest adventure in life.  And the greatest blessing.