Polly Janene Marcum
August 1, 2017 | 9:13 pm
9 lbs 3 oz | 22 1/4″ long
Our darling Polly (her middle name is after Chris’s mom) arrived on Tuesday and we’re in newborn heaven over here. With the other two girls, my water broke spontaneously (before I had even any signs of labor! It was the best!), but Tuesday morning I woke up to hard contractions and I knew immediately she was on her way and this was going to be a different experience. They were coming every 10-12 minutes at 4:30 am, so I rolled over and told Chris “I think today is the day” and went for a walk at the crack of dawn to see if I could get the contractions coming any faster.
They didn’t. All day long, they were 9-10 minutes apart–sometimes even further. But the intensity grew immensely to the point that with each one, tears would pour out of my eyes and I couldn’t talk. I could barely breathe. Having never labored this way, everyone kept telling me, “You’ll just know when it’s time. They’ll be one after another and you won’t be able to talk or walk.” They weren’t one after another, but it was all in my lower back. I started having Chris push back on the pain with each one because I felt like my back was going to break. By late afternoon, I was so exhausted and in so much pain, Chris called my doctor and told her what was going on; That the contractions weren’t getting closer, but they were so intense and extended, lasting nearly 2 minutes at times, he was getting worried. They sent me up to the hospital, but I was sure they were going to send me home because the timing was so inconsistent. After they observed for an hour, I had dilated to a 5 and with each one building and getting stronger and stronger, they concluded she was in a posterior position, which was causing the laboring inconsistency, and definitely on her way. They gave me an epidural as fast as they could (thank. you!) and she was born less than 2 hours later after just a few pushes.
As soon as they laid her on me, everyone said how big she looked and started guessing her weight and length! (For reference, our other girls were in the low 7 lb range and average 18-20″ length.) So we were very surprised to see Polly weigh in at 9lbs 3 oz and over 22 inches long. She has a full head of dark hair, puckered lips and the same, beautiful, dark ivory skin tone as her sisters–but unlike her sisters, she doesn’t fit in any of her newborn jammies–those long legs!
When Greta (7) and Faye (3) came to meet her Wednesday morning, the scene melted my heart. It was love at first site. They were absolutely in awe and so proud of Polly for nothing more than being cute and being their sister. They talk about all the plans they have for their trio in the highest voices and Greta keeps looking at me and saying, “Am I going to babysit?!” Faye continues to ask, “Is Polly a boy or a girl?” Haha!
Many of you know, after listening to this week’s podcast, I have been rooting for another prime birthdate baby. While one is technically not a prime number, I’m very happy with the 1. Not only is it odd, it’s the only number (besides 0, which doesn’t even count when you’re talking dates) that is neither prime nor composite. It’s a very special, unique number–perfect for our girl.
Chris, Polly and I came home from the hospital Thursday morning and we’re settling in as a family of five. It’s a weird and wonderful feeling to know our family is complete. We’re all here. Our home is full. Our hearts are full. Three, perfect, sweet, beautiful little girls–we’re truly in heaven.
Congratulations! Polly is such a beautiful name!
Congratulations on your precious baby girl, she is beautiful!!! I love her sweet little name too!
Congratulations on the new addition to the family – what a sweetheart!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! She is perfect ???????????? x