Lily Kay Cameron was born yesterday afternoon, June 28th. She was 6 lbs. 14 oz. and 18 1/2 inches long, and she's beautiful. I'll have to post pictures when I get home to my own computer. I have been here in Ohio for 5 weeks as Shonna has been on bedrest until two weeks ago. When I scheduled the trip, I was sure I would be welcoming Lily as part of my stay, but yesterday morning dawned and still no Lily. I was scheduled to fly out at 10:05am to get home last night, giving me a couple of days to prepare for Ken's and my vacation. Shonna and Caleb were going to take me to the airport. Shonna has had many contractions over the weeks I've been here, so it didn't alarm me much that she was having contractions as we got ready to take me to the airport- about a half hour away. But then, on the way, they became quite regular- every five minutes. It was an interesting trip, as we drove, both of us talking to our husbands on cell phones, trying to decide what to do. By the time we, got there, it was evident that this really was labor, and there was no way I was getting on an airplane. I had purchased trip insurance through Orbitz. I was flying on Continental Airlines. So Shonna stayed in the car, and I ran into the airport. The Continental desk was pretty clear- that never happens, and I ran right up to the desk and told the man, "I am scheduled to fly out this morning, but my daughter is in labor out in the car and I can't leave." He chuckled, and went into high gear action. I told him I had trip insurance, but he said, "Let's not make you hassle with that- claims, paperwork, etc. I'll just take care of it." When do you want to leave?" So he cancelled my flight and rescheduled me for the same flights for Thursday. Meanwhile, Shonna was in the car, panicking, trying to call me, as now her pains are between 3 and 4 minutes apart. At one point, I tell him I'll be right back and run out and tell her what he's doing. I then ran back in, and he handed me tickets for Thursday. (Can I tell you I'm now a huge Continental Airlines fan!) and ran back out to the car. It was another crazy, twenty minute or so drive to the hospital. We were praying and hoping. Blake came from Ohio State where he was in school and met us at the car with a wheelchair and wheeled her up to labor and delivery. She was dialated to 5/6 and her Dr. didn't dare try to come from across town, so sent a partner who was working at a closer clinic to deliver her. It went fast! Meanwhile, I had to get Caleb and I back across town, what am I saying CITY, to home. It involved four freeway changes, but I did it. Blake gave me instructions over the phone and somehow I did it. Caleb was such a good boy through it all, and just sat in his carseat and chattered. After we got home, Blake kept me informed through text messages.
So, that afternoon, as I was changing Caleb's third poopy diaper of the day, I thought, "This is a a paradigm shift if there ever was one. I expected to spend the day on an airplane, but instead am here changing diapers." When I got home I called Continental customer service and they even gave me seat assignments for tomorrow and said to call back today for upgraded seats (Did I mention I'm a Continental Airlines fan?) I rescheduled my shuttle from Vegas to St. George and reset my haircut appt. and now will be home one day to get laundry done to head out again(on Continental Airlines!- yea!)
Last evening, I braved the freeways again and Caleb and I went to meet Lily. She is perfect and beautiful, and the best part, as Shonna told me with tears in her eyes, is they get to take her home! Plus, Shonna feels so much better this time. Like I said, I'll be posting pictures, but it will be awhile I'm thinking, as I won't be home long between.
Oh, and Blake can take the rest of the week off from school, then his mom will be here to help all next week. So, I don't feel too bad abandoning Shonna right now. I think it's all going to work out just fine. Oh, and in case you were one praying that this baby would wait until she was full-term to come- yesterday was the day she reached 37 weeks when a baby is considered to be full-term. Our prayers were answered to the day! So, welcome to the world, little Lily Kay- granchild #6 for us. She evens the tally: three girls and three boys. So that's the crazy birth story from Ohio!
