PHILIPPA VIRGINIA IS HERE!

September 27, 2018 11:06pm Philippa Virginia joined us after 39 weeks of growing! She weighed 8lbs 3oz (one ounce shy of 40wk Paul), and she's been a relaxed, happy, and great sleeping baby for the past 3 months. Her name has caused a bit of confusion, so let's clear that up first before we get into her arrival story and on to our regular life of 6. Philippa (pronounced PHIL-ip•a) is common in English-speaking countries ... 'cept the US. And common nicknames include Pip and Pippa. All of those names we use for our new little deary, whom we called Pip (as in avocado pip, remember?) in utero. So there ya have it; explanation done. 

That Thursday morning got us excited as we called our overnight help around 5am because things had gotten a little more interesting with contractions throughout the night. We got to the hospital around 6, and by 7, they'd sent me home. Wut. This was my fourth pregnancy, and I thought I knew what was going on, but my body had quite a bit of work left to do, and we were all in agreement that I'd be happier not waiting around in a hospital. Dylan took us to breakfast and a long walk on the Lake Pontchartrain levee before giving up and heading home. But not before a stop at Costco... we were out of strawberries. My parents arrived in the afternoon, complete with IKEA build-your-own furniture, which Dylan and my dad assembled while I was in labor, and by dinnertime, there were definitley full-blown contractions, much unlike what I'd had throughout the previous night. But, but, they were completely irregular! Some were short, long, close together or extremely far apart, so I had no clue what was going on ... particularly since I'd had the wind knocked out of my confidence and self-awareness that morning. Dylan recognized some signs from previous labors and pulled the plug on laboring at home around 9pm. This was a very good thing, as it takes time to a) drive b) check in c) get settled in and checked out and then d) call the doc. Dr. Baur arrived around 10:30 and suggested we only break the water bc she thought that was all that was keeping this baby from entering the world. I was standing. We chatted a while. I had, maybe, a contraction. Oo, but maybe that wasn't really one. The doctor and 2 nurses talked about some TV show, everyone chuckled. Ok, now there's one coming; get to the bed, break the water, enter baby! Rather, exit baby. Pippa arrived! She came so fast, her little warm blue baby body stayed blue in the face for a little longer than usual due to bruising, whoa. It was amazing. And then we rested, ate, prepped for everyone's introduction to Pippa later that morning, and became officially a fmaily of 6, SIX!

Babies arrive bearing sibling gifts in our family ;)

Nana & Pappy there to watch the bigs again - thank you!

newborns always looks ridiculous in carseats

Wonderful neighbors brought us this cake!

1st bath at home - with a huge audience

Sugar Roots Farm for our 1st big outing! 

All the while, my mom stayed in town (until October 20th's Baptism) to help with the big 3, meals, laundry, and cleaning. There's a special place in Heaven for helpers such as her. AND Dylan's mom and stepdad arrived from Melbourne, Australia for their month-long visit. There were dinners out, Astros baseball game watching, playground & library visits, Aquarium trips, and even a beach day in there. I did not do all of that, have no fear, but I participated where I saw fit. And, of course, a few liturgical living practices to honor to help me feel a little "with it" still, like blackberries on Michaelmas, Italian on St. Francis of Assisi day, and edible rosaries on Our lady of the Rosary day. When not engaged in those things, we lounged around, made diaper-changing an "event", tried to include the big 3 in as much as possible while trying to push aside feelings of guilt at shooing them away when necessary, visited with the grandparents, and got to know our new family.

Then, on Saturday October 20th, Pippa was baptized the newest little Catholic and the 34th baby in the Tormey family baptismal gown. My parents, Ginny & Ryan came in, Dylan's family was in, and we had lots of friends join in the celebration, including the celebrant, Fr. Deo. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful occasion, and we know her loving godparents will keep her in prayer throughout her formation. 

And there ya have it! A new baby arrived and nothing else skipped a beat; but the whole world changed! God is good, and He always provides ... in my particular case at this stage of life, it's instances to practice patience.

From now, to keep up with our shenanigans, please refer back to the pre-pregnancy blog Knowing the Knolls.