And Then There Were Three...

Lisa and I are proud to annouce that Jocelyn Kathleen Orrell was born at 10:18am at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona. She arrived a very healthy 7lb 8oz, 20.5 inch long little girl. Her 1 and 5 minute APGARS were both 9. She had a mild amount of respiratory distress that required going to the nursery for a few minutes to clear some meconium from her lungs. She was a bit of a grunter, trying to expel the fluid on her own, but after 15 minutes in the nursery with her daddy, she let out the most beautiful, and powerful, cry and let us know that she was perfectly healthy and ready to tackle this life with her mother and and me at her side. We are so excited for this next chapter in our lives. I am at home now to take care of the dogs and get some sleep. But I already can't wait to get back to the hospital in the morning to hold my little girl and kiss my sweet wife.

I am so appreciative to Lisa for her sacrifice. I can't even express how much awe I felt throughout the delivery process. Jocelyn is a miracle - from a couple of dividing cells we now have a tiny, healthy baby with a sweet spirit, sent from our Heavenly Father. I am in love.

We Are 'Go' for Liftoff

The anesthesiologist just left the hospital room. The epidural is in and Lisa didn't even wince. My wife has the courage and pain tolerance of a comic book super hero.

Lisa and I have been here since about 1:15am. Little Jocelyn didn't like being told what to do, so she has decided to come on her own, without help of induction. We have a defiant, strong-minded little girl.

At around 10pm, contractions started to get pretty intense and regular enough that we began timing them. At 12:30am, we left for the hospital. So, here I lay on the small couch in the delivery room, trying to get some sleep. At this point, Lisa is dialated to 6cm and 70% effaced. We could be holding our little girl within the next 8 hours. I am going to sign off for now and try to get some shuteye so that I can be the best coach and husband that my brave wife needs. Next stop: Parenthood.

Giving Nature a Push...

Little Jocelyn doesn't quite seem to want to come out of her nice, warm home. I can't say that I blame her - the world can be cold and unforgiving. Lisa has told her time and again that we are very fun, and that she definitely wants to be born. However, she is reluctant to actually listen to her mother - we already have a defiant child.

Lisa had a doctor appointment today, and for the third consecutive week, the doctor stripped Lisa's membranes in hopes of getting labor underway. Granted, today IS Jocelyn's due date, but at this point, we just want to meet our little girl. So, the doctor scheduled induction for tomorrow morning (03/09/2010) at 05:00am. Lisa was a little freaked out about it, and the emotions got to her. This is it, I am going to be a father; lisa is going to be a mother; we are going to be parents.

Wish us luck!