Monday, March 12, 2007

Happy Birthday Ashley!

Surreal. That's the only word I can use to describe the events that have just taken place over the past 12+ hours.

Kelly woke up this morning at 4:30am with intense contractions. I knew they were serious because while sleeping next to her, the mass of fluid and baby moved away from my hand without any movement from Kelly. So we started timing the contractions and they were only 9 minutes apart but regular. After they started occurring more frequently (about 5 minutes apart), we had to convince Kelly it was time to head to the hospital. Being the sensitive person she was, she tried to insist that we "wait it out because it could just be gas pains". Since she was 5 centimeters dilated for the past week, it was time to roll out.

We arrived at the hospital around 7:15am and after they evaluated Kelly, we were sent up to a delivery room. To speed things up , they broke her water at 8:55am.

Now I've seen some things in my life, but the feelings Kelly experienced after that point, uh, was an indescribable amount of pain. She was adamant about going without an epidural and I fully supported her. Talk about strong and impressive, I have a new hero in my life and it's Kelly. Good lord. The contractions would be so intense that she would grip the railings of the bed, her knuckles would turn white and her eyes would roll back into her head as she would convulse from the pain.

After about 8 waves of pushing, I see "something" start peeking out down there. I had no idea what this something was. It was blueish, bumpy and hairy. I thought Kelly was giving birth to a creature from the movie Aliens. After a few more pushes suddenly an ear popped out and my bearings were back and it was apparent that the baby was facing the floor. The head was fully exposed and they immediately sucked all the junk out of it's mouth. We heard the first sound uttered from the little ones vocal chords. After another push or two, the damn thing slide out like daddy around the catcher in softball.

Ashley Jane Strauss was born at 11:44am weighing in at 6 lbs and 14 ounces and measured 19 inches in length.

Crazy.

Here is the direct link: http://picasaweb.google.com/rstrauss/20070312BirthOfAshleyJaneStrauss.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS MOMMY AND DADDY! I can't believe it! I thought the day would never come and Kelly would remain all cute and big-bellied forever!

Love,

Kim and Obe

Anonymous said...

WOW - YOU ARE THE LUCKIEST LITTLE FAMILY IN THE WORLD. SHE'S A DREAM COME TRUE. CAN'T WAIT TO MEET HER. lt

Anonymous said...

WOW! Unbelievable! She is absolutely adorable and I can not wait meet her! She has Ryan's eyes!
Love,
Colleen

Anonymous said...

It's hard to believe that the first of my college roommates has just had a baby, but I couldn't be more excited for both of you!! I can't wait to meet little Ashley!!

Love, Sam

Anonymous said...

ADORABLE!!!! I cant wait to meet her. Congratulations on your new baby girl!! I cant wait to meet her.

Love,
Duffy

k.nichol said...

She's simply adorable. I love her!

Aunt Katie

Annamania said...

Alicia and I are sooo happy for you guys, congrats you are a mommy and daddy. WOW. She's adorable!
Patrick and Alicia Hirscht

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! She's simply precious. Kelly, way to go - that's quite the birth story. :-) May God bless you on your biggest life-change yet!

LRS said...

Uncle Lee here...Just wanted to take a minute and say that I think Kelly will be an amazing mother as she has been nothing less as a sister. And Ry..of course, we know he never performs under 200%.

Food for thought: I will be turning 40 when she will be turning into your driveway for the first time.

Looking forward to seeing little Ashley.

Anonymous said...

Left Chicago only hrs ago but I started missing her on the way out of the hospital room door! :( She is absolutely beautiful and perfect. God is most amazing and we thank Him over and over for her AND for her stupendous and dedicated momma and poppa! We love you all and can't wait to see you again soon! She is the most alert baby I've seen and so peaceful...but the pictures belie that teeny one's ability to get what she needs w/ her gusty cry! Thank God for healthy lungs too! XOXOXO da momma (or am I now, da gramma? :)

Anonymous said...

What a sweet miracle!!
Hugs all around! Ann (Mrs Trav)

Kelly said...

Thanks everyone... you brought tears to my eyes. She is the most amazing little person I have ever seen.