Introducing Faith Lucia

She’s here!

Faith Lucia Franco was born (on her due date!) on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 2:20pm. She was 7lb, 8oz and by all accounts was the picture-perfect healthy term baby!

Faith’s birth was definitely a better and more joy-filled experience than Gabriel’s birth was. One part of that was that I had, in fact, been through labor before, and I knew what to expect and how to handle it. The other part of that was that I was much, much better rested for my labor with Faith. With Gabriel, I went into labor at 8pm on a Sunday night after a long, busy day. I had Gabriel at lunchtime the next day, and didn’t sleep until after that! I had my first Get-Your-Attention-and-Start-Timing contraction for Faith at 7:15 a.m. after a full night of sleep (well, as good of sleep as you get at 9 months pregnant). Our roommate, Colin, took care of Gabriel and left the house for most of the morning so that Michael and I could get through early labor in peace and quiet.

We went to the hospital at 10am, and had Faith in our arms about four hours later. It was fast, but blessedly so. Everything was so fast, in fact, that my epidural almost didn’t have time to kick in, something I will admit I was a hair’s breadth away from panicking about. It’s easy to forget just how intense, painful and ultimately humbling labor can be! I don’t know what I would have done without my husband there for what I did go through “naturally” before my epidural kicked in completely (at about 8 1/2 centimeters or so). Michael was such an amazing coach!

At four days old now, Faith has so far been an absolutely angelic infant. She has a sweet, calm personality as far as we can tell. She is easily persuaded that All is Right with the World again if she gets upset–which isn’t often. She sleeps, eats, cuddles, and endures diaper changes (and arms changes around a room of people) like a pro! She seems to be as comfortable sleeping in her crib as she is in my arms.

Of course, all of this is on a “so far” basis. 🙂 Her mommy is so in love with her that I’ve already forgiven her for any inclination she may have to become more demanding tomorrow or next week or at some point down the line.

These first few days, at least, have been a treasure.

Of course I’m planning to write about Gabriel’s response to Faith, our first few days at home, and the overwhelming love and responses from friends and family upon Faith’s birth, but now I must go and fulfill my duty to the First Rule of New Moms, “sleep when the baby sleeps.” 🙂