Izzy: The Story

Thursday was a weird day. As I carved away on my slab 'o wood for printmaking, I was distracted. I was eagerly awaiting a call from Hallie and her report from the dr. Not only am I embarrassed at my first attempt at a woodcut this semester, but I was also very unfocused due to the fact that Hallie was six days past her due date. Finally I got a call. More or less, we were hoping that she would go into labor Thursday night and if she didn't, we'd have to look into ways to move things along as quick as we could to ensure the health of both baby and mom.



Thankfully, a few hours later, I got a call (yes, I'm still at school at this point-Thursdays are 13-hour days) and the contractions–though light–had begun. Phew...they were very inconsistent, but they were happening nonetheless.


After finally returning home from class around 8:30, Hallie and I watched some Magnum, p.i. and made it to bed by 10:30ish. Meanwhile, her contractions were slightly more consistent, but not much. So we waited.



At about 1:15-1:30 a.m, Hallie woke me up and gave me the green light to call her mom, have her come watch Cambria and have us make our journey to the hospital. All of which we did. By the time we arrived, around 1:50-2 a.m, the contractions were pretty close together and getting stronger. And by the time the nurse checked Hallie, she was already past a "7." Things were moving fast to say the least.


Hallie was brave and stronger than she's ever been. I could brag about her for years and never tire of it. She is so amazing. No epidural and not so much as a Tylenol; 100 percent natural and she did great every step of the way.


Having only pushed about 7-10 times in all, Izzy Mae Wilkins let out her first cry and greeted us with perfect health.


It's funny, but all I can do is compare her to Cambria. She's got Cambria's nose, her face and frame is thinner than Cambria's was and she weighs just less (7 lbs. compared to 7 lbs. 9 oz) and is taller at 21 inches (Cambria was 19).  Her hair is red. It's crazy. And she's balding like her old man. Who knows, maybe it will all fall out and come back a different color?


Not too long after having moved up to our room, we were taking a quick walk down the hall and who do we see walking toward us? Liza and Jackson. Hallie and Eliza grew up together and by happenstance became pregnant at the same time, though their due dates were over a week apart. Well, now our daughters are only hours apart in age. It was awesome to see good friends and know we're experiencing life's greatest joy at the same time, only nine doors away from each other!


Well folks. That's it. That's the story. Check back later for more chronicles of the Wilkins Fab Four.

seconds after delivery

getting to know one another face-to-face

I love it when they're little and sleep all the time-is that bad?

Cambria was excited to finally meet "sister."

best friends. cutest baby girls.

the girls. oh, and Cambria's baby that "sister," brought for her.