Welcome To The World, Jude Ziya!

June 22nd, 2020. A gorgeously hot Monday, now officially in the summer season. I masked up (because Covid-19) and waddled to my 8:15am 38 week checkup, where Dr. R informed me I was 3 to 4 centimeters dilated and was going to have a baby today! Upon his guidance, I was to gently walk around until either my water broke or the contractions were intense enough to go to the hospital.

I made my way home to get the other two babes ready for their drop off at their aunt’s house. I snapped this last picture of Augusten and I with my bump, to which he replied, “I slept in a little late today, mama, because I just knew baby Jude was coming into the world and I wanted to be well rested!” Be still my heart.

After the kiddos were sent off to Queens, I followed doctor’s orders and took a nice, hot, leisurely walk around Central Park with Babo. It reminded us both of our wedding day when we strolled around the park taking photos—only intense contractions and face gear this time;-)

By the time we popped back into my doctor’s office to see the status (5 centimeters dilated and regular contractions), he suggested we grab our hospital bag and meet him there sooner rather than later. Here's the last photo I took of the bump! Somewhere in my archives, I have the exact same photo in the same doctor's office bathroom of being pregnant with Augusten before going into labor:-)

Needless to say...by the time we arrived at Lenox Hill and got checked in my contractions were 2 minutes apart (!!!) and coming in fierce. At one point waiting for the epidural I was on hands and knees just rocking the pain out with my meditation music, japa beads, and wild orange essential oil. Babo got some solid foot massages in there, thank goodness.

The epidural came in the knick of time because right as it kicked in the doctor checked and I was 9.5 centimeters—time to push! We switched the music over to my push playlist, and three big pushes later, Jude Ziya (meaning: praise our light) floated gracefully into the world, at 4:25pm, weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces, and 20.5 inches long. While Babo held a leg and cut the cord, I was able to reach down and grab her, pulling her onto my chest (she entered the world to the song ‘Walking on Sunshine’ by the way). A perfect bundle of light, indeed.

Along with birthing Augusten, saying ‘yes’ to Little M, and meeting and marrying my husband, it was a true best moment ever.

I’m so so grateful we never stopped trying for you, Baby Jude! The world is already a more beautiful place because you’re in it. We all love you so!

All my love,

Mama