Tatum Olivia Thompson

*Photos by Elisheva Golani

Our sweetest Valentine, Tatum Olivia Thompson, was born on February 14, 2017 at 9:11 am, weighing 6lbs 11oz & 18 3/4 inches long. I’ve been dying to find the time to write her birth story before all of the thoughts, feelings, and memories are not as fresh, & I am finally finding a second while adjusting to busy life as a mommy of two!

On Monday, February 13th, I was checked into the hospital at 9 pm to be induced. That whole week prior I had been dealing with contractions, but none that were consistent enough, just yet. We tried to keep busy that whole day with little errands, projects, and last minute organizing. We decided to head out for a family ice cream date night before we headed to the hospital. We had the best time chatting and spending some good, quality time with Truman & my parents who were in town. It was seriously such a great time and it was the perfect little ending to this much anticipated day. Once we got to the hospital, we were checked in and they had me change into my hospital gown and started hooking me up to monitor my contractions. Immediately, my nurse commented about how my contractions were strong and after a while we realized they were coming every 3-5 minutes. I had been dilated to a 2.5 for about two weeks and even with the contractions, had not progressed much so my doctor had planned on helping me progress with Cytotec. I definitely felt a difference once they inserted the medicine and my contractions became stronger and stronger. By midnight I was dilated to a 3-4. Sid and I passed time by chatting, watching Family Feud (HA!), and he made lots and lots of trips to the ice chip machine for me. By about 1am, we decided to try and get some sleep while working through the contractions. I was able to nap here and there, but I was way too excited and in discomfort and pain to sleep very well.

At 5 am, my nurse came in to start me on Pitocin. I had experienced Pitocin before while in labor with Truman, so I knew what to expect this time around. I decided to also ask for my epidural at this point after being in labor all night (and I knew the pain would just get more intense as I started getting closer). My doctor came to check on me at 7:30 am and I was dilated to a 5. She broke my water and said she would come check on me in a few hours. I know I go suuuuuper fast after my water is broken and I kept mentioning it, but I don’t think anyone took me seriously. At that point, Sid also called my mom to head over because we knew it would be go time soon. Well, by 8:30ish, I knew I was ready. I was experiencing extreme pressure and we called my nurse in to check me. I was a 10! Our baby’s heart beat was slowing a bit, so I was put on oxygen while my nurses called my doctor. She raced over from her office to the hospital and came in around 9 am. I had been waiting and dreaming about this moment for soooo long and was SO ready to push. There’s something so empowering and amazing about the whole birth experience and I felt more than ready and excited this time. I literally pushed through three contractions and she was out and placed into my arms. I was overcome with emotions as I got to hold my sweet baby girl in my arms. It was one of the greatest, most special, emotional and amazing things I have ever experienced. It was truly love at first sight meeting this perfect angel. I have never felt such an overwhelming amount of instant love, other than meeting my Truman for the first time.  And the most remarkable thing is that it was just as amazing and special the second time around! The love of a mother, as I have for my children, is indescribable and sacred. I know that there is no other love like this. That these “feelings” come from our divine Father in Heaven who loves and trusts us enough to send His most special creations to raise and guide to be their best selves until they can return back to Him. I instantly knew Tatum knew me and had chosen ME to be her mommy. She immediately wanted to nurse and I just cried tears of joy as we bonded and shared our first special moments together. I stared at her and I remember my husband kissing my forehead and telling me how beautiful she was and how thankful he was. I still can’t believe I was blessed with this special girl. She is the absolute perfect addition to our family and although it has been less than two weeks, we can’t imagine life without her. I am so thankful to be her mommy and that I get to love her and cherish her forever. We thank our Heavenly Father every day and are forever grateful to him for the perfect addition to our eternal family. It was seriously such an amazing day that will be one of my most favorite memories to cherish always! We love you forever, Tatum Olivia Thompson!

P.S. We have received many questions about how we chose her name, so I thought I would share! I have always wanted to name my daughter “Tatum Olivia” since we first found out that we were pregnant with Truman. Once we found out this baby was a girl, we immediately began calling her Tatum and never discussed another name! It fits her perfectly 🙂 We also just love our dark haired girl and I can’t wait to see if it sticks around. We think she looks just like me when I was a baby! Thank you to all who have sent us the sweetest comments, messages, texts, etc. All of the support means the absolute world to us and we are so happy to be able to share this special time in our lives with you all! XOXO

Daddy is the master swaddler in the family!

Truman has been so sweet to his sister & although we’ve had to use the word gentle a lot, he has been adjusting SO well. I am so thankful for him and his happy, go-lucky personality that has made this transition so great!

Her eyes seriously melt us!

I am so thankful for my dad & that he was able to come and be with us during this special time. Truman had the absolute best time with his papa and the special relationship they have is just amazing!

That face, though!! I am completely and utterly obsessed with her!

& I have to give my AMAZING mama a shout out! She has been here for almost a month and has been SO helpful. I am kind of (big time) nervous about her leaving, as she has been so helpful and such a great support system to me during this time. I love her so much and look up to her in so many ways. I hope to be half the mom she is one day!

Tatum Olivia Thompson~forever my sweetest, most special Valentine<3