Introducing Vianne Rose Oden
Posted by Amy Evelyn Oden , Sunday, April 22, 2012 3:52 PM
Today (April 22) is our little girl's due date! But instead of welcoming her into the world, we're celebrating her two week birthday today! And I've finally found a free moment to begin some posts about this new little wonder that has made us a family & transformed our lives.
Vianne Rose Oden arrived at 12:43 a.m. on April 8, 2012, Easter Sunday, and looked like this:
We picked out her name (pronounced Vee-Ann, like the letter V and Anne) during the first year of our marriage; after
watching Chocolat one evening, Patrick remarked that "Vianne" (the lead
character's - Juliette Binoche's - name) was a pretty name, and I (ever
on the lookout for French names that also sounded nice in English) heartily agreed.
Since it was one of the first girl names we both equally liked (no small feat, I assure you), it seemed to be settled
instantly. We've technically not named her after the character (though
we both love the film) but so far, the reference seems to have provided
the best pronunciation guide for others. Her middle name - Rose - was more my vote, as it's my favorite flower - and I think just sounds perfectly gorgeous with Vianne.
She was born just 43 minutes into Easter Sunday, and we're still amazed at the timing, for many reasons. That evening back in 2009 after watching Chocolat, we could never have known that we would have a baby girl three years from then, and certainly never have guessed that she'd be born on such a special day, but it seems that her name was tailor-made for the event. Vianne means "Alive" - and what better name to reflect the day in which we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, His triumph over death, and the new life He offers us!
Her early arrival caught us very much by surprise. As I work for a Christian institution, I had Good Friday off, and Patrick & I were spending a leisurely morning at home. We had just finished talking about our plans for the weekend (attending that evening's service at our church, a full day Saturday, and Easter Sunday beginning with a 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service through an afternoon at home with Patrick's family). I was making a grocery list, about to run to the store, when the phone rang. My OB/Gyn's office was calling: some blood work taken the Monday before revealed higher than normal levels on the liver test. The nurse instructed me to get to the hospital immediately and check into Labor & Delivery!
My cherished doctor was on vacation through Sunday, but her on-call colleague was equally competent, calm, and reassuring. After reviewing my "case" and observing my & baby's vitals for a couple of hours, she strongly recommended an induction. Knowing that I couldn't go home and have any sort of peace waiting for baby to come on her own when there was a risk to her health, we decided to stay and undergo the induction. The next 36 hours or so of medication-inspired labor symptoms were exhausting and painful, and the whole experience was so abrupt and unexpected and wrought with concern that I was rather miserable all the while. The nurses were wonderful & kept cheering me on - and Patrick was a prince, juggling my emotions & pain, taking care of needs I couldn't express myself, navigating the hospital system, and keeping family & friends informed all at once.
After an epidural Saturday night, which made all the difference in the world and transformed me into a whole new woman, Patrick & I settled in at last for some peaceful sleep. I was only dilated 1-2 cm, and the doctor & nurses predicted that we'd have 'til well into Sunday before she came, so we anticipated a night of rest. Only 2 hours later, however, I was awakened to nurses adjusting my monitors. The baby's heartbeat was decelerating, which was either a cause for alarm or a sign that she was making her way out into the world. They checked me and were very shocked to discover that baby indeed was coming - and fast! Patrick then awoke to nurses standing over me, one instructing the other, "Call the doctor! This baby's coming!"
That was at about 11:45 p.m., and only 58 minutes later (and a very easy time of it, I must confess), Miss Vianne Rose came to join the Oden/Gustafson families as its youngest member!
Meeting Daddy & Mama
I love how she's looking right at me! :-)
First visitors at about 2:00 a.m. - Grandma & Grandpa Oden & Uncle Jon
All cleaned up for some snapshots
Love your birth story! I was induced with Lily, and it was an unpleasant experience. But, the end result was definitely worth it! She's beautiful! :)