Introducing the newest Lewis... Aleia Faith!

After 39 weeks of a growing and changing body and the anticipation of another baby, the time finally came for us to welcome our new baby girl, Aleia Faith, "a-lay-a" meaning "high/exalted" or "god's being". Aleia was born on Thursday, July 2 at 4:53 pm. She was immediately described by Dr. Nilson as "tiny" and "hairy", weighing in at 6 pounds 1 ounce and measuring 20 inches long. We were amazed at how beautiful she was and WOW...what a set of lungs!

For those interested here’s the detailed story leading up to and following Aleia's arrival:

6/28 - Returned from 4 days in Dallas for Mylani’s competition.

6/29 - 38.5 week pregnancy check-up. Dr sees my super swollen ankles and feet (this was only morning shot) and how “low” and “ready” baby is. He suggested an induction for 3 days later (6 days before due date) and we said "heck yeah!"

7/2 - Dropped off Mylani at friend's house and headed to hospital. Here’s how the rest of the day went (guys you may want to skip this part):
8:00 Arrived at St. Francis Hospital South in Tulsa ready for procedure. Contrary to the original plan, have changed mind as of the am to proceed WITHOUT an epidural. Reasoning, just wanted to see if I can do it plus I was pushing natural course with the induction anyway. No pain no gain right?
9:00 Started on via IV to help get going. Minor yet consistent contractions start within 20 minutes.
11:00 Still cruising with contractions. Not much pain yet and dilated at 4. Water bag is broken by Dr. Rather painful but quickly done. Still smiling at this point...see photo!
1:00 Contractions super strong. Pain as well as frequency increases over the next 4 hours. Wasn't very nice to my coach, Will. May have gotten very irritable several times in the 3rd and 4th hour. Asked for medication to help with pain. Didn't really helped with pain but made me feel intoxicated (world in a blur, slurry words, calming).
4:00 Dilated at 9 and Dr prepares for final stages of labor. In extreme pain...thinking maybe I should have gone with the epidural but too late now.
4:15 Dilated at 10 and pushing begins. Take extreme pain times 10.
4:52 Just about to give up from exhaustion and pain when out pops hairy head.
4:53 Hello Baby Aleia! Could have been much easier/faster had I gone with the epidural, but so glad I didn't, and got a chance to feel the true pains of child birth this time around...luckily not the 20+ hour version like some women have to go through.

7/3 (3:30am) Mylani bravely volunteers to stay overnight with mom and new sis. After several wake-up cries by Aleia, Mylani wanted to hold Aleia and help sooth little sis back to sleep. Here’s big sis still smiling in the wee hours of the night.

7/4 (3:00pm) Discharged from hospital and returned home at last. Couldn’t wait to show Aleia her room, toys, and brother Bear! I was still getting over post partum fever so Aleia and I didn't get to celebrate the 4th outside with Will, Mylani, and tons of fireworks. Will was so excited to finally use fireworks and shoot rockets in front of our house (not something we were able to do in the last 2 places we’ve lived, OC and SD).
Aleia is now 5 days old and already letting a bit of her personality show. Enjoy these photos we were able to catch in between the constant sleep, eat, and poop routine.

(Thinking about her next meal, Preparing for a karate punch, No milk? I'll just chew on my hand then, Please don't wake me up at 6am for another photo shoot mom!)



We are so grateful to have another beautiful and healthy daughter, and Mylani a little sis to play with, care to, and be a good role model for. We can't wait to have her meet all our family and friends in the months to come...the first wave of visitors from Cali should be arriving any day now.