Baby Holly is here!

Tirzah Joanne Holly was born on August 10, 2007 at 2:20pm in Irvine Regional Hospital, rm 254.








We're so happy! At the onset of labor, we were encouraged by John 16:20-21:

20 Truly, truly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her hour has come; but when she brings forth the little child, she no longer remembers the affliction because of the joy that a man has been born into the world.

During the labor, although demanding at times for Julia, we felt rest, readiness to endure, not anxious, and a sense that we are in the Lord's hands, even "carried on Eagle's wings". We realize it must have been the prayers of so many. Thank you all!

For more pictures of Tirzah and family, visit http://picasaweb.google.com/philipholly.

If you want the details of the labor, read below...

Julia went in for a routine Non-stress test appointment on Thursday at 3:00pm. The nurse noticed a deceleration in the baby's heartbeat and directed Julia to labor and delivery in Irvine Regional immediately. There, while waiting for a doctor, she was initially taken care of by a sister in Irvine who was on duty. Although baby's heartbeat was normal, the doctor decided to induce, which took place at 9:00pm. Julia was able to sleep through the night although she experienced minor contractions every 4-5 minutes. Philip slept too. Around 9 the next morning, Julia's contractions were closer together and stronger, so Philip practiced "Partner's choice" method of breathing (Julia gave 1-5 "hee" followed with a "who" depending on the number of fingers Philip put up). The breathing really helped. From 11:00 - 12:00 noon the contractions were much stronger and 1-2 minutes apart. Julia requested and recieved pain medication at 12:00, which helped her sleep between contractions. At 1:35 Julia called the nurse to request an epidural because she thought she still had a long way to go. To our pleasant suprise, Julia was already 8cm dilated, which meant she only had 2 left before she could push, and that she was already in the most strenuous part of labor (transition). She decided to continue without the epidural. About 10 minutes later, Julia started feeling a strong urge to push. Because she wasn't fully dilated, she spent the next 15 minutes "blowing out the candle" every contraction to prevent premature pushing. At 2:00 the doctor finally came and checked her. "She's complete. She's 10." The doctor broke her water, gave her the green light to push, then left. With the help of Julia's mom, Philip, and the nurse, Julia pushed for about 10 minutes before the nurse had to go and get the doctor again because baby's head was showing. The doctor came back and delivered the baby at 2:20pm.

At first we were wondering why Julia had to get induced. But after the baby came, we didn't care. We really felt that the day and the hour was the Lord's sovereign arrangement. Thank you Lord for this gift!