WinrightFamilyPortrait: Lydia Maeve Arrives! 8.3.10

Wow! What a day this was. Lydia Maeve arrived at exactly 9:30 in the morning of a very hot August day! She was 3 weeks early and only 5lbs 7oz and 19-1/4" long. A very little peanut! But, she was beautiful and healthy, and that's what matters.

Lydia is Greek and means "noble one".
Maeve (pron. May-v) is Irish and there was a Queen Maeve, and means "intoxicating".
Lydia's name was picked out during the Easter weekend. Coincidentally, she happened to be born on St Lydia's feast day. Go figure.

Okay, most are unaware of what exactly happened to me following Lydia's birth. To spare you the gory details, here it is in a nutshell. I hemorraged following her birth, and after 2 hours of trying to get the bleeding to stop, I went into shock. To save my life, a blood transfusion was started and I was whisked off to the OR to get the bleeding to stop. After 2 hours in the OR, I was back in my room, but in critical condition; did the surgery stop the bleeding? would my kidneys shut down? or both? I was given 6 bags of red blood and 4 bags of "fresh frozen platelets" as a result. If one or the other happened, I would have to go into surgery and my prognosis would be slim. THANKFULLY, neither did. I am here, and eternally grateful to my doctor and medical staff at Barnes Jewish Hospital; they are life-savers.

Lydia's first few moments.

Daddy is the first one to hold her.

Me following surgery. All swaddled like Lydia! Guess we're making a fashion statement by dressing alike! :) Seriously, my body temp was so low due to blood loss, that I was wrapped up in lots of blankets.

First time holding my new daughter...over 4 hours since she was born.

So peaceful!

Clare and Lydia meeting each other for the first time! Although there wasn't supposed to be any visitors under the age of 14, my nurse let Clare come in.