Molly Svea Hamm

Molly joined our growing family on 4/30/2010 at 12:47 pm (just didn't want to join us on her older sister's birthday!). She weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz and was 20 inches in length. Mary had her 40 week (exactly) appointment earlier in the day and she was 5 cm's dilated, though she hadn't really had any contractions or anything that would signify active labor. But given that we were only in the hospital for 12 mins before Jane was born, our Doc told Mary that she wasn't going to be sleeping in her own bed tonight. So I worked that day, we went out to dinner together and we checked into the hospital at 6 pm that evening. Because Mary wasn't in active labor, we did some walking for the first couple of hours. Because she had tested + for Strep B she had to be on an antibiotic every four hours. After her second round of antibiotic (started at about 10 pm) she was still just dilated to a 6 or 7 and her dilation was a little off-center, or something. Our doc recommended that Mary spend 10-15 mins on her hands and knees to assist with proper alignment and hoping that it would get things moving along. Up to this point Mary had had some contractions but nothing that she couldn't walk/talk through. Anyway, the hands and knees thing worked. Mary got up from that and began to have some more regular contractions and around 12:15 they started picking up speed and it was clear that things were moving forward progressively.

I was in a reflective mood at this point, watching my wife labor amazingly well and seeming almost in complete control of her body and this labor process. I was so proud of her and impressed at her ability to be so focused and in control. What a contrast from our first one! After our first one I was wishing that I could be back in the old days when the dad's weren't allowed in the room. But this time, I was wishing that I could do more to help her and to feel engaged in this process. I tried to be supportive verbally for her and was informed at one point that it was helpful and at another point that I needed to stop. She knows what she does and doesn't want during the transition point of the labor and delivery process. Anyway, I absolutely loved watching her and I had a good 30 mins of marveling at the amazingness of my wife and her remarkable awareness of her body. She got on the bed to push when she felt that "these are pushing contractions". She pushed through one contraction and on the second one little Molly joined this world and our family. What a beautiful little girl.

I went home around 7:15 am to spell our friend who had put our kids to bed and spent the night at our home. The kids were excited to hear about this little girl joining our family. I made waffles for the kids for breakfast and got them ready for the day. I then took them over to a friends house for a few hours and went to check on Mary. [It is very nice to live about 4 mins from the hospital]. We spent the next few hours together and then I went home and got the kids and brought them home to get them some lunch. We then went to the hospital so some very excited kiddos could see their new little sister.
Here is Sarah holding little Molly. She has been such an excited big sister and wants to hold her and spend time with her a lot. She has been a big helper and I'm sure she will continue to be.

Here is Sarah holding Molly with Nathan. Nathan is pretty excited about his sister and interested in her but not all engaged in wanting to hold her or be all that involved with her yet.
Jane, on the other hand, cannot get enough of her. The picture above is a perfect depiction of their current relationship. The best way to describe it is regularly concerted effort to be pawing or touching her sister in some way. If you don't know where she is, she is probably standing innocently next to a now rocking swing. She is constantly touching her face and head. She loves to point out her eyes, ears, mouth and nose. She's a doll and so excited about her younger sister. See below.


The name was a little bit of a dilemma and much more difficult to decide. Our three other children had names long before they joined our family. This one we just couldn't come to any agreement. Eventually, I kind of won out. We each liked all of our name ideas for this little girl but couldn't decide. I have really liked the name Molly for the last 4-5 years and that is what I really wanted to name her, plus it seemed right to me. I absolutely love her middle name, Svea. I don't really know how to explain by type how it is pronounced, but this is my best guess at a pronunciation: suh (like duh) - vay - uh . The 'suh' sound is really short and may not be completely sounded out. It's a Swedish name, like Sven, if that helps. I don't really know if that makes sense but that's okay. Anyway, we love our little girl and are trying to come to grips with the fact that we are the parents of four children. in our family. and they are ours. and we are responsible for them. four kids. ours.

We'll see how this adjustment and transition goes. Welcome to our family Molly Svea! We love you!