The 1 Birth (Sweet Paulina Noelle)

Although Laura has already detailed the momentous occasion of Paulina's birth here and here, I thought I'd include a few more photos and a few thoughts of my own, I AM the mommy.

The birth of Paulina Noelle Witschen went something like this:
I chose the day on which to have her because it was between 2 holiday weekends and I thought a Thursday would be nice especially since it was my mom's birthday and as we all know it is virtually impossible to buy her a gift. I figured this birthday gift would last through at least the next 10 birthdays or so (Ha Ha to you Laura, Nellie, Deb and Anna, you're on your own). On the day I was to be induced, Matt and I woke up and got ready, I joked to him that it felt like one of those early mornings where we get up and ready to go on a big trip--umm hmmm, the hospital is great but it's no Riviera Maya. On our way to the hospital Matt asked me if I was nervous or said that he would be (I lovingly noted his attempt at making me feel tough and appreciated at the same time). I wasn't nervous at all, I told him that I had that same "bring it on!" feeling that I had with the other kids. We also talked about how it was so strange just planning it all out and prancing into the hospital to have the baby. Order up, one baby, please. From the time we got into the room until the time she was born everything went as smoothly as I imagine any delivery could possibly go. It pretty much went the way Laur described. I sometimes wonder if God is going to make me have one "naturally" just to account for the whole Eve and original sin thing. I haven't really paid my dues in that arena but I wasn't about to try to be a hero, I LOOOOOOOOOVE that epidural folks.

These are pics of our first time holding our new baby girl.



Right before she was born I think I made my official prediction that she would be a boy but all along I really thought she would be a girl, so when we learned she was a she, I guess I wasn't too surprised. I was however surprised at how much mop top curlyish hair she had and at how poochy her lips were and at how awake and aware she seemed to be. As much as having the twins just 2 years earlier had made it's toll on me, when I met Polly it was as if motherhood was new again and I instantly fell in love. My best word to describe Polly was "sweet". She was the sweetest baby and still is. I tell people that the 4th time is a charm. Gabby is special because she was the first. The twins are special because they are twins. Polly is special because she is my sweet baby. She gives babies a good rap. As much as our crazy life was about to get even crazier, I'm pretty sure that Matt too realized again the incredible wonder of those first few glances and first few days of new life.
I loved having my sisters and my best friend Rach there with me. In addition to the fact that they helped deliver the baby (see photo),
we had a great time, we might as well have been having one of our girls nights with the added bonus of a snuggly little buggly to hold while we chatted. I loved that I had a name all picked out for my new beautiful baby girl and I still love her name. We call her "Polly" now but it's also been manipulated into "Paulina Pocketina", "Pollywina", "Wina", "Lina" and "Lina Lou". She answers to all of those, usually with the most high-pitched scream you've EVER heard or will EVER hear in your lifetime. Shortly after we arrived home from the hospital, we deemed it the "pterodactyl". It's a darn good thing Polly cries the least often of any of the other kids because I'll tell you what, hands down she cries the LOUDEST. I'll record it some time and post it, you'll have to turn the volume down on your computer, and even then you'll need earplugs and if you have dogs, they will go crazy. I think she has that cry just so we don't forget about her, what with the other children and all.

Due to her normal babyness, I had the most serene time in the hospital with Polly after she was born. Here is a pic of Matt and Polly taking their first nap together and one of Paulina sleeping so soundly which I took while we were alone together. We soon had to get home for Polly to meet the twins. They couldn't come to the hospital because they were sick w/ some nasty virus that later turned into the stomach flu followed by a second virus--good times, but I digress.
















Gabby came to the hospital a few times and was instantaneously an amazing big sister to her. Gabby insisted on going to the store with Auntie Anna to pick out a gift for Polly and she chose a "Diamond Angel" which, as it turns out, is an angel made out of a sort of stained glass sticking into a rock with a pretty etched saying in it. Oh, and a little doll thing that Gabby would have wanted herself. Gabby is still the absolute best helper with Polly. She has a patience that I've never seen in her when she is with her baby sister. She talks to her, holds her hands, sings to her in the car and rocks her. She is reaching her limit in the car when Polly does her screech-owl but we all have our breaking point.















Wyatt and Bella love her too. Here is video of their first meeting. I guess you could say it is an example of life imitating "art" if you call Dora art.

Wyatt and Bella were watching a Dora video about Dora having a new baby brother and sister and I walked in with Polly in the baby carrier. They seemed quite amazed and looked at the TV and back at the baby a few times. Wyatt especially likes to oogle over his new sister and he now has this thing he does where he lays on the floor and makes me place Polly on his belly so he can pat her and tell her "Hi, Pretty Polly".

There you have it. Just as we ordered, one baby please, preferably healthy and throw in a side of cute and a large helping of good sleeper if possible. I am not quite sure why God has blessed our family so profoundly so I won't venture to guess or attempt to question. I'll leave it at that.