Welcome to the world, Pia!
November 3rd was the official due-date, but the baby would not want to wait any longer. Pia was born on Saturday 10:58am at St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, NM.
Candice started having “different” cramps on Friday evening when we walked the dogs at about 6pm (yes, she walked the dogs twice a day during her whole pregnancy). By 10pm those cramps had turned into really strongs contractions. However, because they were spaced unevenly and did not last long enough, we were not sure whether she was experiencing the “real thing”. At 4am she was in too much pain and we decided to call our Doula, Amy, and head over to the hospital.
Quite surprised we heard that Candice was already 7cm dilated when a nurse checked her at the hospital, which means we did not come a minute to early to the hospital. We left the Triage area and went to our room.
It took another 4.5 hours for Candice to dilate enough before she was allowed to “push”.
After another 1.5 hours Pia was born at exactly 10:58am. She weighed 6 pounds and 12 ounces (3060 grams) and was 19.25 inches (49 cm) long.
This was taken 20 mins after the baby was born. It was very nice to see that the hospital firmly believes that initial mother-child contact is very important. Right after the baby was born, she was transferred to Candice’ chest and did not leave this comfortable place until about 1.5 hrs later:
Candice did an awesome job and survived the whole birth without any medical intervention (except for a small 1hr dose of pain-killers during the most painful part of labour). Does she look like she just had a baby 25 mins ago?
It’s incredible to see how quickly she calms down when she can rest on her mother’s chest:
An extra big Thank You goes to Amy, our Doula, who was with us from 4:30am on and helped Candice through labour. We really could not have done it without you, Amy!!!
After two hours on Mom’s chest the baby was checked up and washed, that’s where this shot was taken:
Candice and Pia stayed the night in the hospital, while I decided to sleep at home. I needed to turn on the heating in the house (temperature dropped dramatically in the last few days) and I did not want to spend the night in a sleeper chair at the hospital. But this does not mean I’m not a proud papa:
October 26th, 2003 at 9:57 am
PIA is just beautiful! And she looks so contented on “mommy’s” chest! And Candice looks GREAT for just having delivered! I can’t wait to see my little “precious” granddaughter!
October 26th, 2003 at 4:39 pm
She’s the cutest! We can’t wait to see her in November. Good job Candice, you were a champ…
Love, Pam/Thon
October 26th, 2003 at 9:56 pm
Congratulations Tobias & Candice!
This is really wonderful, and I’m glad everything went well.
October 27th, 2003 at 8:18 am
Wonderful! Congrats! Hope you have as much fun with Pia as we had with our children (who are now almost 20). Enjoy!
October 27th, 2003 at 9:30 am
Congratulations to both the proud parents. Glad to hear mom and baby are doing well (and so is dad 🙂
October 27th, 2003 at 9:57 am
Pia looks so cute! Congratulations on the new baby! You guys look like a beautiful family!
October 27th, 2003 at 10:08 am
Congratulations Tobias & Candice on the arrival of Pia.
October 27th, 2003 at 10:21 am
Congratulations on your beautiful new Pia! She is the cutest little thing and I can’t wait to meet her in person!!!!!! : ) Much love to you all!
xxoo ‘Auntie’ Molly
October 27th, 2003 at 11:09 am
She is LOVELY!!! A nice combination of Bavarian and Chinese. Or is it Chinese and Bavarian? Candice, you’re a trooper; you look so radiant! Congratulations on your family expansion!!!
Much love and kisses,
Darlene
October 27th, 2003 at 11:36 am
Very sweet – brought tears to my eyes! I am so happy for all of you! Pia is a very lucky girl to have been born to such wonderful parents.
Now the real fun begins!!!
October 27th, 2003 at 11:51 am
Congratulations to all three of you. As Janice said – now the real fun begins 🙂 Keep those pictures coming!
October 27th, 2003 at 12:01 pm
Heartiest Congarulations, Tobias and Candice. Wonderful pictures!
October 27th, 2003 at 12:51 pm
Congratulations you guys! She is sooooooo CUTE!!! Can’t wait to meet her in person. Get some sleep….or at least try to…
Big kisses,
Traci, Erik, Alissa & baby jake
October 27th, 2003 at 2:42 pm
Congratulations! Pia’s so beautiful. You have such a wonderful family. Take care.
October 27th, 2003 at 6:30 pm
Congratulation to Tobias and Candice. Pia looks healthy and beautiful.
October 27th, 2003 at 10:53 pm
Welcome to this amazing world, Pia !
I hope, your dad saves all these messages to show you when you grow up. And I know thats going to be very soon.
May you get all the happiness in the world. Convey my congratulations to your parents for having such a wonderful daughter.