The Arrival of Onalee Velma Marie!

Friday, February 3rd (our due date) labor begins..

We planned a home birth and it was wonderful to labor in the comfort and peace of our home.

The birth kit and birth tub were set up and ready to go. I labored at home for 66 hours before my birthteam made the decision (I was too exhausted to) to transfer me to hospital... Thankfully my midwife knew a doctor who would come in to help me finish out the birth I desired (whereas all other docs would just prep an operating room)

After 8 hours in the hospital... 5 hours with an epidural so that I could rest and regain strength, I was put on pitocin towards the end to make my contractions stronger and more regular... with these interventions I was able to, after 15 minutes and 3 pushes, (74 hours total) deliver my beautiful baby GIRL!!! 

Heath Wilhoit was an amazing support throughout the whole process and after 74 hours of labor, ended a very proud Papa! 

May we proudly introduce Onalee Velma Marie. Born February 6th at 6:12pm, 7lbs. 13oz. 20in. Her heart rate was strong throughout the entire labor, not even wavering through the birth canal... she is a tough little cookie! 

Onalee Velma Marie. Onalee is a name that I have LOVED since middle school along with the woman who wore it so beautifully, my art teacher. She was always so full of love. She not only noticed my talent but drew it out and encouraged me. She is the one who inspired me to pursue art AND teaching AND that awkward, often floundering and challenging middle school age. I went on to student teach with Onalee and was able to reconnect with her a week before little Onalee arrived. LOVE them both! 

Velma. Her first middle name is after my fathers mother, my beautiful grandmother, Velma Jean Chase Miller! A woman so full of love who gracefully opened her heart and her hands to love anyone and everyone who stepped foot in her home. (Onalee and I both have the long slender hands like our "great"-grandmother and hopefully the hearts to match hers as well!) Onalee Velma's beautiful arrival happened to be on Velma Jean and Arts wedding anniversary. heart emoticon

Marie. Marie is my and my mothers middle name. What was I thinking?! Hehe, she seems to be "full of it" too so far. grin emoticon ... Ohhh, my mom just shared with me where we got our middle names! Her fathers mothers name was Pearl Marie Antoinette... Oh, I love it!!!! Names passed down from both the Miller and Thill side!

Home sweet home! On the drive home Heath was experiencing terrible stomach pains... My mom drove him straight to the Naval Hospital ER for an appendectomy. So our first night home he had to stay the night in recovery.

All three of us, home together at last! (With Nana!)

 

We are so thankful that Mom and Zoey were both here so they could split up their care taking skills amongst the 3 of us. Tanta Zoey fed and loved on both baby and Mama, while Nana stayed at the hospital through Papa's surgery.  Celebrating our first day all together... a wonderful end to the week.

February 11, 2012