Mona Evelyn Riggs

Well, it’s been a while since we have posted anything on here.  I feel somewhat bad that it has been over a month and this is the first birth announcement for Mona.  As you can imagine we have had a little bit of adjusting to do with the new arrival and we seem to finally be getting adjusted to the new “normal”.  The past month has been great!  Mona just had a doctor’s appointment today and weighed in at 9 lb. 7 oz., almost 3 lbs. over her birthweight!  We will be adding more pictures later but to catch everyone up the following is a journal of events from Hannah leading up to Mona’s birth.

Sunday, June 28th

This morning I woke up to contractions starting 10 minutes apart and they were rather strong. The night prior I had experienced these same kind of contractions for a good 3 hours and then they subsided, so this morning we weren’t going to stop our normal routine over them. We decided to spend our morning in worship with Pastor Jimi’s congregation at Hope of Glory. After Church Randy & I thought we should take advantage of this time and enjoy a lunch out, as it may be our last meal out alone, just the two of us.

After enjoying lunch at O’Charlies we thought we would take a look at video cameras. We both felt like we would  regret not having one to video tape our daughters birth when it happens.  While at Best Buy my contractions continued, some contractions were even 8 minutes apart at this time.  We found a video camera and headed home to let Winston out.

That night we went over to our friends, Andrew & Adria’s for dinner. At this point the contractions were a solid 8 minutes apart so we brought our hospital bag, just in case. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with our friends, some dessert and a game of Wits and Wagers (good game). We decided around 10:30 or so that we should head home. The contractions were getting more difficult for me to breath through as they were moving to my back.

Randy & I got home and after about an hour and a half of contracting at 5 minutes apart Randy & I headed to the hospital at 1/1:30am. When we arrived to the hosptial we were the only ones admitted into Labor & Delivery so we had primo treatement. When the doctor saw me he said I was at 3 cm. dilated, 92% effaced and the epidural was on it’s way – Hooray! By 3:30am I had recieved the epidural; Randy & I were finally able to catch a little sleep.

Monday, June 29th

Our Doctor, Dr. Nelson-Mason, arrived to our room around 6:00am and said I had progressed to 5cm. She then decided to break my water to see what kind of progression my contractions would make. Randy & I again tried to catch a little sleep. Around 9:00 or 10:00am (I was starting to lose track of time) the Doctor ordered to put me on pitosin. Shortly after that they took me off of it as my contractions were continuing strong and closer together by themselves and by 12:00/noon I was ready to push.

Mona Evelyn Riggs

1:07pm, Mona Evelyn Riggs was born. Weighing in at 6lbs. 10oz. and measuring at 19 1/2 inches long. Mona had a little oxygen level problem as the umbilical cord was around her neck when delivered. After 30 minutes or so she was doing just fine and we were able to hold her for the first time. She was amazing, we couldn’t take our eyes off of her. We were blessed to have the following family and friends visit us tonight; Uncle Dave & Aunt Joy, Andrew & Adria, Katherine, Levi & Sean.

 

Uncle Dave & Aunt Joy

World Impact Family

Tuesday, June 30th

Today Pop-pop & Mamaw Riggs as well as Grandpa & Mimi Nevins, Jason & Nancy Phelps and Linda Carlson came to see Mona at the hospital! There wasn’t too much holding time as Mona’s bilirubin levels tested too high. So she had to spend nearly the next 24 hours, possibly more, under a Bili Light. Mona did not like this, she was too exposed for comfort. This was hard for Mommy as I felt very helpless. We couldn’t craddle her or offer any comfort. This gave me a new appreciation for parents who suffer worse circumstances where they can’t hold and comfort their new borns.

Billi Light

Much to our surprise the blood work the next morning read at a lower level!This allowed Mona to be taken out from under the Bili Lights and we were able to go home that Wednesday with Mona as planned. We had grandparents waiting for us at home and offered all kinds of help and company that rest of the week. We have been so blessed with people surrounding us with love and celebrating in our new journey into parenthood, thank you!

First Family Photo