Introducing Claire

(The above proof is a photo we bought from the photographer who took pics at the hospital.)

Claire Evelyn Boyer has finally arrived! (Okay, it was a week ago - July 30th - but it took me a while to find any time to post, let alone sleep.) We chose the name "Evelyn" after two of Jason's grandmothers. After deciding on "Claire", we discovered that his maternal grandmother's name was Evelyn Claire and his great-grandmother's first name was Claire. It was meant to be.

If you have any interest in the random details leading up to Claire's birth, read on. If not, just scan ahead for more pics. (I have a tendency to give more info than anyone actually cares about.)

Wed 4pm: OB appt. on my due date. Dilated to 4cm. Schedule induction for Friday morning at 5am!

Wed 5pm: Call Jason’s parents. They schedule flight to come in Thursday night. Jason has office reschedule all of his patients for next Thursday & Friday.

Wed 11pm: Go to sleep with the comfort of knowing that no matter how much pain and discomfort I am in, I only have to make it 1 ½ more days.

Thur 11am: Dr.’s office calls to schedule check-up for Monday. I explain that I am being induced tomorrow, so no need for an appt. They inform me that no, they are not sure why they told me that the schedule was completely open for me to be induced, as it is actually completely full. I will have to be induced next Wednesday instead.

Thur 11:05am: I freak out. You don’t mess with a pregnant woman like that. The thought of waiting another 6 days is not an option. I had mentally prepared myself for tomorrow. The in-laws bought their tickets. Jason’s patients have all been rescheduled. But most importantly, my emotional state is not stable.

Thur 6pm: My body convinces Claire that we are not waiting another week. The time has come, whether they can schedule me in or not. Contractions begin about 10 minutes apart.

Fri 12am: Jason’s parents arrive, just in time to watch Gabby.

Fri 4am: Contractions are finally 4-5 minutes apart and more and more intense. We leave for the hospital.

Fri 4:30am: As soon as I lay down on the bed for them to measure my contractions, they are suddenly farther apart and less intense. They look at me like I don’t know what I am doing and send us home. They do not seem to care that when I stand up to leave, a huge puddle of blood appears on the floor. “Maybe we’ll see you later this weekend,” the nurse says. Eh?? Later this weekend? I don’t think so.

Fri 5:30am: We drive home with me in agony. I have not eaten or slept all night and I am urgently craving a sausage and egg muffin. The restaurants are not open yet. My pain doubles at the disappointment, which is clearly a personal attack from the restaurant industry.

Fri 7:30am: Okay, so this is what they were talking about when they said labor pains are one of the worst pains a person can experience. Contractions are 2 minutes apart. The thought crosses my mind that maybe I should just deliver at home to prove to them that they should not have turned me away. On second thought, there is a slight chance that my plan may be much worse on me than them. Fine. Off to the hospital again.

Fri 8am: Arrive at hospital with contractions 1 minute apart. I am a true disaster complete with tears and I tell myself, “At least I will never see anyone here again.” Then the nurse comes to rush me to my room. She leans over me in the wheel chair. “Jen?” – perfect – an old friend from high school that I haven’t seen for 13 years. She will be my nurse through the entire delivery. Needless to say, I am not much for reminiscing and small talk as she helps me undress. (No offense, Mey, I was just in a little shock, but you were an awesome nurse.)

Fri 9:55am: Claire Evelyn Boyer arrives before I have time to realize that I am in the hospital. She is perfect! And, I admit, the pain instantly seems trivial once I see her face and hold her in my arms. Welcome home, Claire!

The first few moments of Claire's life.

8lbs, 8oz. 20inches. Thank goodness we did not let her grow another week!

Jason experiments with his wicked photography skills.

The Boyer cheeks prevail again!

The sisters meet each other. Gabby has been such a gentle and loving sister. [Note: That is Gabby's arm around Claire, not my runt arm, as it appears.]

More pics from the photographer at the hospital:

Our growing family arrives home. (I promise, despite the illusion, this is the day after Claire's birth and I am not actually 7 months pregnant again.)

Curiosity.

Jason's parents keep Gabby busy with things like hiking to Bridal Veil Falls.

Gabby had a great time with Noni & Papa B and we ate better than we have for a LONG time. Thank you for all of the help!

I will get back into photo mode and take some better pictures of Claire soon. And I may even eventually post them....