Indiana Moon VonRaabe come into the world on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 6:30 am.
He was 7 pounds, 3.5 ounces and 19 inches long.
I was given the privilege of being a part of the whole process with Amanda and Phil.
Action started Thursday, July 17th with a phone call from Amanda at 6:30 am....hmmm...interesting. It just dawned on me that he was born 24 hours later. Amanda told me that she was was wakened by contractions around 4am. I got dressed and hurried over there. I wanted to be there when Milla and Hudson woke Amanda would not have to worry about them. The kids and I putzed around while Amanda and Phil took a nap. Around 1pm we took the kids over to their friend's, Nation and Spencer, for the day and possibly the evening.
Amanda was having steady contractions of 20 minutes apart most of the afternoon. We drove around a bit, stopped by my house and ended up just sitting in the back yard in the sun with Amanda just rocking away in our patio chairs. Evidentally they were tilted back just enough that her contractions started coming closer together. About this time she decided that a shake from Jamba Juice sounded good so we drove over there. While there things seemed to increase some more. Phil and I had cravings of our own - French fries from Norma's Drive-In. It was on the way back to town so we made a stop there...of course little Amanda wanted to pick on those too. After we ate our French Fries all too fast we headed back to their place.
It was not too much longer that we made a trip to the hospital.
Around 8:45pm, much to Amanda's disappointment, she was sent home. She was in labor,
but after an hour of walking the halls things didn't seem to be progressing enough. Amanda was craving Thai food so we called her favorite Thai restaurant and placed an order. They left to pick up the order while I raced home to throw a few things together...toothbrush, etc..
We got all settled in with our Thai food and the movie "Juno" when halfway through the movie the baby had seemingly turned enough that Amanda's contractions took a turn - they became closer and stronger.
Again we raced to the hospital. This time things had changed, but barely...however enough that they admitted her.
Ninety minutes later Amanda almost begged for an Epidural
....let me tell you, she was a much happier Mama after that took affect...bless her heart.
There was about an hour that we all got a bit of shut-eye before the pushing started. She only had to push for 34 minutes and "Little One" was born.
I must tell you, I was so impressed by Phil's attentiveness to Amanda.
He is a laid back person by nature anyway, but he was not the least bit overbearing, or smothering, but had just a quiet gentleness to Amanda. As a mom, it was such a blessing to see this part of their relationship.
Amanda made the comment after things were calmed down that her labor and delivery seemed so peaceful. I would have to agree. Her nurse, Kathy, was great!
They chose not to name him right away. They had a couple of names picked out, but just wanted to get to know the little guy first. So, before they left the hospital, they gave him the name "Indiana Moon". They both really liked the name and Moon was one they were in semi-agreement on. Phil preferred "Boone" for the middle name, but since it was a full moon the evening Amanda was in labor that is what they settled on.
I am going to leave you with some more precious pictures.
Mom and Dad are doing great.
Milla and Hudson met him Friday and then have been gone since - it was their weekend at their father's. They will be home this evening and I will be helping Amanda for most of the week get settled into a routine with 3 children. Phil has to go back to work tomorrow...just about the time her milk will be coming in and the possible blues come to visit.
I just love being a grandma! Indiana is number FIVE. I know some of you have more, and some of you have none....but, it is just the best thing a woman can experience!!!
