Introducing Zoe Caris Eavenson

Hello friends, I’d like to introduce you to our newest family member Zoe Caris Eavenson. Caris, as we’ll call her, was born yesterday July 12, 2010 at 9:42 a.m. She weighed 8lbs 3 ozs. and is 21 in. long. I’ll do my best to share her arrival story here for those interested and for my own record, since I probably won’t write it down anywhere else:)

Between being anxious and having contractions all night I think I slept all of about 5 minutes the night before we arrived at the hospital. I was tired to say the least, but very ready to meet little Caris. We arrived a little after 5 am and got checked into a labor & delivery room right away. The nurses came in and poked a few different veins to find the best one to give me the IV through and found success upon the third poke. I guess I have veins that like to roll or so they said. Anyway, I started getting Pitocin to make my contractions come and after about one slightly strong contraction I went ahead and asked for an epidural. I am impressed by those who choose not to have any pain medications during labor, I however am not one of those gals and personally don’t want to feel much during labor:) So after getting the epidural, I was pretty numb from the waste down and very happy from the waste  up.

I was first checked when I arrived and was still dilated to about a 4 and the doctor went ahead and broke my water.Which I was thankful for them doing it in the hospital bed rather than it happening at Target or some other random place. God bless those of you who’ve had your water break while you were out and about.

So after a few doses of Pitocin it didn’t seem like long till I was checked again and already fully dilated to a 10. The nurses quickly had everything set up for the delivery and by this time it was only 9:30ish in the morning. I was expecting to a have quick delivery, because that’s what I asked all you prayer warriors to pray for,but I really didn’t think things would go this quick. The nurse called the doctor in and said it was time to go ahead and have this baby so get ready. I think I made it through about 2 contractions and 3 pushes later Caris arrived at 9:42 a.m.

Once she was out she spread her arms wide opened and stretched as if it felt so good to do that for the first time. She didn’t really make a sound and still has only cried just a peep. I can only pray this is  a good sign of what her temperament will be like in the future,yet having two older kids already I know you can never tell what they will be like until they get older and all you can do is hope and pray for the best.

Since she arrived I’ve had a few visitors, but mostly enjoyed the silence and the miracle of our new little one. She is such a miracle and I can’t thank God enough for all the prayers he answered through giving her to us. Her first name Zoe actually means life in Greek and Caris means grace and the favor of God in Greek. I wanted a name that had meaning behind it and that began with a “C” since our other kids, Cade and Claire, all begin with a “c” and when I heard the meaning of Zoe and Caris I knew that would be her name. For it is only by the Grace of God this little girl is here and has already brought such life to our family and this mama’s heart.

You know I’ve snapped several pictures by now, but they all have to be cropped (which takes me some time ) to fit here on the blog post, so I’ve narrowed it down to just a few for now and I’m sure you’ll see many more in blogs to come.

This is my sweet little sister Sally who watched Claire for me while I went to the hospital. She is the best Aunt any kid could ever have and I’m so thankful to have her as my sister. I pray my girls will love each other and have a great relationship like Sally and I have.

Cade came to see his “baby Caris” late in the afternoon and I can tell already he’s going to be very protective of her and love his newest little sister. I still can’t believe it was just 5 years ago that he was her size. Time is going by way to fast.

Claire has done nothing but want to hold the baby and stare at all her little features. She is going to be a big helper and an extra set of hands for me I’m sure. She spent the first night in the hospital with me as well and was so excited to get to wake up and hold her baby sister.

I still can’t believe these three little people are my children. Lord help me raise them and keep my sanity in the process:)

This is about the only picture I’ve gotten so far with her eyes almost open. She is a sleepy little thing still.

Since she is sleeping I’m off to go get a nap myself before I have any more visitors. Thank you for your prayers this week for me and my family and thank you for letting me share our little blessing with you.

Sincerely,

Paige