Nori Joy's Birth Story: Part Two

I just realized I only wrote the first portion of Nori's birth story. I suppose I could just leave it as it does include her emergence into the world, but I love stories and I love birth so the story continues.

It was very special to see Sam interacting with his newest daughter, but I was even more excited to see Milena reunited with her littlest one. When she came up from PAR she was exhaustedly beaming -- radiating joy, relief and excitement. Sam wheeled Nori Joy in and Milena took her in her arms for the second time.

Little Joy took to the breast instantly and Milena fed her baby as satisfied as could be. Sam and Milena made calls to their families sharing the news of the baby's arrival.

It's been over a month so the exact details fail me, but Sam and Milena called for Mor Mor and Maelle to come meet the baby. I was super pumped because that meant I could almost hold the little one. Sam went down to get Little Miss and to help Milena's mom carry her things up.

Maelle suddenly looked like a giant when she walked in. Doesn't that always happen though? Older siblings seem to grow up the instant the younger one comes along.

Maelle was very excited to meet and hold the baby. She already knew her name and called her Nori Joy (Nowee Jowy). She beamed as she held her little sister and gently kissed her head. Maelle cried when Nori was taken away from her, but the baby needed to be fed and changed. Milena lay in bed with a daughter on either side of her and all was right in the world.

Mor Mor had a snuggle and then it was my turn! At long last I got my hands on that little cherub and I savoured every second. She was so plump, round and perfect. Her dark tuft of hair was delightful and she looked so peaceful and serene resting in my arms. The weight of her little body was wonderful and warm and I loved it!

Erik came to the hospital shortly thereafter and was rewarded with snuggles with Elinor and rough-housing with Maelle. I love seeing Erik with new babies. He is much more experienced and comfortable with them now then he was when Sawyer made her arrival two and a half years ago. He hasn't had much of a choice in the matter.

I went home with Erik and Maelle went home with her Mor Mor leaving Sam, Milena and Nori to get to know each other a little bit better.

The midwives, doctors and nurses were never concerned with Nori's blood sugar even though she was almost 10lbs. Milena had two separate gestational diabetes tests and they both came back negative. This made for a much different hospital experience this time around and Milena wasn't encouraged (read forced) to "top up" Nori after feeds and their new routine-making-process went relatively uninterrupted.

I still cannot believe how greatly you can love someone in an instant. I am always overwhelmed with how much my heart can grow and how fiercely I can love these little babies the moment I meet them. It is truly amazing.

Elinor Alida Joy. I know she has forgotten all about me, but I am confident she will be unable to resist loving me when I come home.