Welcome Home GG! An Update from Ugashik.
GG’s efforts to come into this world early (pre-term labor) resulted in me having to be medivaced from Ugashik to Dillingham on October 17. (Wow, that was a month ago today! It seems much longer than that.) So off I went to Dillingham as Victoria and CC waved from the car. I was having lots of contractions but thankfully I wasn’t in actual labor and with a couple of IV bags of fluid they stopped. But since this was the 2nd time in a couple of weeks that this had happened, the doctor decided that I had to go into waiting and remain in Dillingham. This was nearly 2 weeks earlier than expected, since I wasn’t scheduled to go to Dillingham to wait until October 29th.
So there I was stuck in Dillingham early! Couldn’t pack anything and bring it with me on the medivac let alone could Cece have joined me. So now what? We had made plans for Cecelia and I to move to Dillingham to await GG’s birth. We were going to stay at the SAFE DV Shelter, but there I sat released from the Kanakanak Hospital and sent to the “Maternity Home” and Cece was still in Ugashik with Victoria.
Victoria and her hubby were getting a crash course in “Life with a 2 year old”! Cece being Cece was making certain that this “crash course” was very in depth and challenging! (grin) Victoria related stories about how fast Cece could get into things. How much fun playing in the dogs water dish was. How surprising her dogs took to being helpful Cece sitters/watchers when Vic was trying to get house/computer work done. How her hubby learned that in the blink of an eye Cece could disappear from his sight and run into the bathroom to help Vic take a shower.
My favorite story that Victoria told me about her dear hubby’s crash course into toddlerhood was when she told me how she went to change CC’s poopy diaper and her hubby went running out of the house muttering something about the smell and that that is just disgusting. Also he was heard vowing something about “I do NOT!!! do poopy diapers!!”
So needless to say Victoria and her hubby learned a lot the days they watched Cece. Victoria escorted Cece into Dillingham to join me that Thursday. I moved from the maternity home to the SAFE Shelter on Thursday before they arrived. Victoria and Cece arrived Thursday evening and we spent the evening trying to settle in and get some sleep and the next morning bright and early Vic headed back to Ugashik.
Cece and I filled our days playing, reading, cooking and waiting. And waiting, and waiting and waiting….did I mention we were waiting? I had many nearly sleepless nights filled with lots of contractions. A couple of times there were late night trips to the hospital because I thought I was in labor. They always resulted in being sent back to the shelter. Gotta love false labor! NOT!!
During these late night trips Cece would be packed up and dropped off at new found friends homes to await the birth of her baby sibling only to be carted back and dropped off with me again when I found out that it was another false alarm. As you can imagine all of these nearly sleepless nights with contractions that didn’t seem to be doing anything but irritate me and keep me awake was tiring and the novelty was quickly wearing off.
On November 12th I was up early having gotten very little sleep from a false labor trip to the hospital that lasted until 2 am, Cece was at a friends house and I sat in the living room watching Regis and Kelly on the TV. I was sitting there feeling unbelievably irritated and frustrated and saying some choice words to my late husband Segundo detailing how tired I was of being pregnant. I sat there wanting to cry and going through names of people I could call and simply cry to.
Then in the middle of my li’l self pity party SOMETHING happened. OOOOH what was that I thought to myself? Did I just pee my pants? Ooooooh I know what that was!!! My water broke!! Well I guess either God or Segundo heard my pleas and decided that it was time to have a baby!! I remained calm, knowing that the birth was still probably many many hours away and started making phone calls.
Victoria had come into Dillingham for a class and was due to fly back to Ugashik that morning so of course she was the first on my list to call. But first I had to keep from making a watery mess anywhere I walked so I went and told the SAFE advocate to call her. After taking necessary measures to contain my water (sorry if this is too much information but any mom who has gone through this knows what I am talking about *wink*) I started going down my list of necessary phone calls.
In between phone calls I had to reassure the SAFE advocate that everything was under control and try to keep her calm. I explained that this was not the first time that I had done this and that I wasn’t even having any real contractions yet so we had time to get things done. I made all the necessary calls. Ensured that Cece would be taken care of and finished packing my bag for the hospital. Victoria arrived from the hotel she had been staying at for her class. I made arrangements for a ride to the hospital and then remembered that maybe I should call the hospital and let them know I would be coming in.
So Victoria and I headed to the hospital thanks to a ride from one of the SAFE staff. I got checked in and they verified that my water had broken. They wouldn’t take my word for it and had to check, after they confirmed that I did know what I was talking about they hooked me up to the monitors and made sure that the babe was doing well and that I was dialating even if my contractions weren’t happening very often (about every 10-20 minutes at this point).
The doctor decided that I could get up and walk around hoping that walking would intensify my contractions. So off Victoria and I go, wandering all over the hospital. The doctor and nurses having given me instructions to return to my room if anything changed or in an hour. We wandered the hospital stopping every three to eight minutes when I’d have a contraction. After an hour of this the doctor checked me again and sent me off to walk again instructing me to wait 2 hours unless something changed. So Victoria and I were off wandering the halls of the hospital and found the stairs. Victoria waited on one of the landings and I proceeded to go up and down the stairs hoping to get my labor to progress. Down three flights of stairs, turn around and head back up, stopping on each trip up the stairs as my contractions were coming about every 3 to 4 minutes. Breathe, try to relax, visualize the baby dropping and moving down, breathe and then off I’d go again. Up and down the stairs. I don’t know how long we were there but after I’d guess over an hour I was getting tired so we returned to my room.
Sat in the bed with the monitors connected, my laptop out as I chatted with friends, and on the phone while I ate some lunch. Yep I was still multi-tasking and trying to blog while in labor LOL! Unfortunately the hospitals free wireless internet had restrictions on it so I wasn’t able to access our blog, Anonymous Bloggers, or the Mudflats but that was OK, as my contractions were getting a little bit too strong to try and blog/type through.
- ~Chatting, eating, talking and laboring
Well, without going into any more specific details about the labor as I am suremost of you are saying ok this is too much information! 
my contractions intensified and at about 9 p.m. it was time to start pushing. Then at 10:08 p.m. all of my hard work paid off and Glenna Gabriella Kegginacengaq Strongheart was born. Weighing in at 8 lbs 12 oz and 21 and 1/4 inches long. Victoria got to cut the cord as I was simply to tired to even try. They placed Glenna on my tummy and I got to see my new daughter for the first time.
- ~Newborn GG
Wow, even only minutes after her birth and I could see my little Segundo! She looks just like her daddy! She of course will proudly carry on her daddy’s Yup’ik name: Kegginacengaq (rough pronunciation KEY nutch Nuk) meaning “Small Face”. I held her and welcomed her into this world with a little teasing saying: Poor my little husband has come back as a girl! My little husband will be wearing pretty pink and sporting pony tails! Despite the fact that she was only minutes old she smiled at this teasing.
A bittersweet moment holding my beautiful baby girl wishing that her daddy were there also. Knowing that he was there in spirit but still mourning the fact that this beautiful little girl will never feel her daddy’s loving hugs and kisses. She will only know her daddy through pictures and stories told by family, friends and I. The thought of future conversations and explanations of the fact that her daddy is in heaven and is watching over us is hard. These conversations are already in use when Cecelia and I sit every day looking at pictures of Segundo and I explain to CC that daddy is gone but we will always carry him in our hearts and he loves us very much and is always here with us in spirit.
But thankfully we have such a HUGE support system in place of family and friends. The support has been immense!
I will never be able to thank everyone enough for all they have done and are still doing to help me adjust to life as a single mom of two small beautiful girls.
Ann, you truly do have “two small BEAUTIFUL girls”! Are you feeling better yet? I was in chat with you all this weekend
I’m glad you have such a great support system.
may your two girls find many days of happiness and prosperity in their future.
Ann, I will send something Irish to you soon. I can perfectly understand the *bittersweet memory*. Take care.
What a cutie! I don’t know her but I wish her well and good health for the baby.
Happy Homecoming Ann and GG! Oh, this is exciting, the fun is just beginning! I can’t wait to hear the big sister CC stories now! Hugs all around:)
What beautiful babies! Congratulations!
Great blessing upon you all now.
Just lovely. Exquisitely beautiful! How proud Segundo would be of his girls – all three of you. What a miracle to have his child and look into “his” eyes once again. Enjoy bonding as a family and sharing in the precious moments only a newborn can bring.
Love and hugs all around…OH…and joy, too!
Nice looking family, Ann. Take care of yourself.
What beautiful pictures! Congratulations, Ann, and lots of love to you and your family from our family in DC!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((ann and cece and gigi))))))))))))))))))))))))
What a beautiful story. Brought tears to my eyes.
All that walking up and down stairs and you can make me laugh and cry at the same time. You are totally awesome, Ann Strongheart. Welcome to GG, and best to all of you.
Thanks for sharing your story, your daughters are beautiful. Ohhhh, to hold a new born again. Congratulations!!!! You and your daughters will be in my prayers. She sure is a big beautiful baby. Take care.
Beautiful story, beautiful babies, and beautiful picture which those 2 sisters will treasure through all the years ahead.
Thank you, Ann.
Ann – Bless you and your 2 beautiful girls !!
Big congrats to mom and CeCe and GG! Segundo looks on with joy.
I can barely see to type through the tears, but wanted you to know…you are blessed, bittersweet-ly, but blessed. Beautiful children Ann. I wish you the best. Thank you for sharing your wonderful life with us.
Awwww! Glenna is beautiful! She takes after her mom and big sis. I hope you all are getting settled in and that you are getting some rest. It is so nice to have Savannah there to help. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Many of were here that night cheering you on.
Now, I don’t normally put up with listening to going into labour stories with a good grace, but yours is something special. And yes, I cried (again).
Ann, our hearts are with you and your beautiful girls! Congratulations!
the babies are just beautiful. and you gave me just enough information! i had four babies myself and love the stories.
Ann, congrats, on your new baby daughter. The three of you are beautiful. I know Segundo, is so proud. God Bless.
Wishing you many blessings Ann! Even before I read your writing I saw the pic of GG and thought “she looks like Segundo”. Amazing!
So glad all went well and that many are surrounding you with love and support. May your heart continue to heal and may you and the girls live your lives with joy and laughter.
What beautiful children! You are so strong and brave I admire you!
Ann, What beautiful girls you have been blessed with! I’m sure their father will be watching over them their whole lives. I’m sending you kind and loving thoughts from the middle of Illinois.
My! What beautiful children you have! Amazing.
Beautiful daughters for a beautiful Mom. You are one of the kindest and bravest people I know of, and you deserve all the blessings that go your way. You truly live up to the Strongheart name.
CONGRATS, ANN!
GG: May your live be happy and healthy, and may you bring joy to all that love you!
Wow, spoken like a stronghearted Alaskan woman…best wishes to you throughout the holidays. Bless your Alaskan hearts!
gorgeous little girls…congratulations
And life goes on.
What beautiful babies. Congratulations and the best to all of you.
Glenna Gabriella Kegginacengaq Strongheart I thought that her 3rd name was her daddy’s Yup’ik name:You have a beautiful little family and thank you for bringing us up to date.
She is BEAUTIFUL! And you look wonderful. Big hugs and congratulations. Thank you for bringing us into the fold. (((hugs))
Congratulation and welcome home!!
Ann congratulations! I don’t know you but feel like I do in a way. Astounding – the power of the tubes (both)!
You are beautiful and your children are so very blessed.
Congratulations on your wonderful new daughter. Blessings and best of luck to the three of you.
Ann – now that I have wiped the tears frommy face and boogers from my nose … I can say thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for being so strong for so many people … and thank you for accepting the kindness of those who are now there for YOU …
I wish you peace and love on your journey!!!
Ann thank you for sharing ..Two beautiful little girls and one tough momma..
Hang in their ..Segundo must be so proud of you..Wishing all the best for you and CC, GG…WE are all here for you..Anytime…
Welcome into the world little one, you are so blessed to have such a wonderful Mom and sister to care for you. And remember Mom:
Dusting and Sweeping can wait till tomorrow for babies will grow we’ve learned to our sorrow, so quite down cobwebs, dust go to sleep I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
Tonight I returned to the Mudflats after a sustained absence and find your beautiful story. Bless you, and your sweet, pretty girls. May you all continue well, to grow & love together.
Wow…just, Wow!
Two beautiful daughters! Congratulations on your newest arrival, Ann.
ADORABLE!!!! — CONGRAGTULATIONS!!!!!!!
(but … ummmm … why didn’t you fly to Texas to give birth???)
Ann, All my best wishes to you and your beautiful, stronghearted daughters.
Congratulations, Ann, for your beautiful, healthy new girl baby. And to CC for being such a good big sister! I cannot imagine a better Mom for these precious children. You will show them the way.
Best Wishes, from a “virtual” friend. We will meet one day, and be old friends.
aww…how cute…I was never blessed to have any children myself,so I can’t imagine what you went through..but I gotta say, those are two beautiful children…
Bless you and bless your beautiful daughters. What treasure is brought to the world in this aptly named Strongheart family.
It is an honor to “know” you and to have shared this birth with you.
Namaste.
So happy for you. You will have challenges ahead but will have two daughters who become very close. You all deserve the best.
Comgratulations Ann! You are truly blessed with two beautiful girls. Segundo is beaming with pride!
Precious girls. And very precious mom. What an amazing year has passed. We are blessed to know you and your family. Thank-you for sharing…
Your story of the little house is so sweet – please hug Vic and Rollie for me, too! Lots of sawdust, pipes, screws, mud, nails and paint flyin’ around and the next thing you know – POOF! A little house on the tundra!
Kiss GG on the forehead and tickle CeCe for me please. They are just too cute for words! I’m really beginning to see Gundo in CeCe – she is looking more like a little kid every day. Toddling will soon be behind her!
Oh my goodness – I forgot to tell you that I think Savannah’s visit is one of the most wonderful gifts imaginable in my book! Good karma to the max! Go girls (poor Rollie)!
Congratulations Ann on your two beautiful daughters. What a blessing.
Dear Ann – what a journey! What a story! Blessings on you and yours and yes, GG looks like Segundo – amazingly so!
Beautiful daughters, wonderful mother. God bless you all.
Congratulations! What a gorgeous baby–glad all of you are fine. Blessings to you and your children.
Dear Ann Strongheart, I have read most of your posts here on TheMudFlats, and you do personify your name. Your post made me LAUGH out loud, (CC and Victoria’s DH poopy scene, my favorite!) as well as tear up a bit. Your family love is palpable.
I miss Segundo even though I’ve never met him. The beautiful sled he made for CC is such a beautiful picture in my mind and how you painted it… so much love in your house that GG was added to your family.
Congratulations to your family, Segundo must be so proud. Take care and hope to hear from you soon.
WELCOME HOME!!!!
So very glad everyone is healthy and home safely!
You are so right Ann, GG does look like her daddy. What a blessing.
Thank you so much for sharing her birth with us!
Oh Ann indeed she looks like her father! Blessings to you all!
Congratulations and Blessings to the Strongheart family!
Thank you for sharing yet another wonderful story. I am so tickled that our girls share a birthday!
Congratulations Ann! You have two very beautiful daughters!!