| The birth story: We went to the hospital at 7:30 am on the 16th, and did the paperwork, etc. Got the IV started and then waited for them to come get me for the c/section. Chuck got to wear the blue scrubs, it was real cute. They came and got me at 10:30 am, and wheeled me to the OR. We had a stop in the hallway there, as there was some confusion on whether Chuck had signed some paper about being in the OR with me, and I got the shakes because I was cold and nervous and excited. So a nice nurse brought me a warmed blanket. Those are soooo nice! Finally they got it all figured out, and they wheeled me into the actual room. Once there, the anesthestist started my spinal, it took a couple tries, but was finally successful. He would hit on one side or the other, and had to re-start a couple times, but then suddenly I could feel both my feet going numb and he said ok, that's what we want! I had been freezing cold, and once the spinal started working, I slowly warmed up. Then, they started preping my belly, I couldn't feel any of it, as I was numb from the chest down. Then Chuck got to come in, and they started the incision. It was the weirdest feeling, laying there, just waiting, and knowing that our baby would be born any minute. Then I got some weird pains in my back, and the anesthestist had to reassure me it was normal. It felt weird to breathe, like I couldn't get a deep breath, but they again said it was normal to feel that way, and that I was, in fact, breathing just fine. So then suddenly I hear a little cry, and they say, "it's a girl!" and I am shocked that she is out already, with no warning. She sounds mad. And I say, "it's really a girl?" and they say yes, it is. ANd then someone calls out, 11:15 am. And then I hear, "watch your eyes." So I look at Chuck for an explanation, and he gets his face squirted with what looks like blood. And I hear the Dr.s talking about that they just cut the cord. Someone hands Chuck a tissue or something to wipe his face and glasses with. And I ask him, "Is it really a girl?" He says yes, and then I start crying, I am soooo happy. And when I look back to him, he is gone. Then I hear them saying, "Look over here, at your baby." And I look over to my left at the warmer, and there she is, Chuck next to her. She is screaming. I ask them to show me her "girl parts", so they do. And I am finally reassured that she is, really, a girl, my girl, my daughter. And I am struck by how pretty she is already. I am weeping and tears are filling my eyesockets, so someone hands me a tissue. Then Chuck brings her over to me, all wrapped up, and I get to see her up close, she is so cute! Then they take Chuck and Hope off to the nursery to get all cleaned up and weighed and measured. I am stuck there, waiting for them to finish sewing me back together, so I can go and join my husband and new daughter. Then they send me to Recovery. While there, the nursery calls them and asks if they can bring the baby to me, as she is smacking her lips and trying to eat her hands. So a nurse brings her over, and I am able to nurse, with help, my daughter who is less than an hour old! I chat with the nurses and they are happy for us. Then it's time for Hope to go back to the nursery. And I am starting to get some feeling back. Then they say, ok time to go to your room. So they wheel me back to my room. Once there, they bring me Hope, and look at her and think, WOW!!! Then Chuck arrives with Charlie. I think he left shortly after taking Hope to the nursery and taking some newborn photos, and went to get Charlie. Charlie walks into the room, and passes right by the bassinet, and comes to me. Checking out the tubes and wires, obviously concerned for me. So I tell him I am fine, and would you like to meet your sister? Yes, he does, and he goes to look at her as well. He is not too sure what to think, and just wants to make sure his mommy is ok. We spend some time together, the 4 of us, before anyone else arrives. It was nice. So that is our birth story. At least the big parts of it that I remember, it was all happening so fast, and we were on such an emotional high, and an adreneline rush, that I am sure there are details that I have forgotten already, or that will come back later. But that is the gist of it! She is doing well. Nursing great, I think she has gained some weight. She had lost 11 oz. before we left the hospital, but she has gained that back and then some!! Hope is so cute, we are just in love with her. I guess a mother always thinks her baby is the cutest tho! She is pretty even tempered too, so far. Although we have had lots of visitors so she really hasn't had a chance to have to cry. One peep and she is picked up! But a baby cannot be spoiled with love!!! Our nights are getting better. She is eating every 2-3 hours, so I am getting some sleep. She is starting to realize that her crib isn't so bad, and even slept in it all night last night (in between feedings of course). Charlie is loving her so much, he wants to hold her all the time, and he even walks around holding her and doing that "mommy sway" and talking to her. She really loves her big brother. Whenever he talks, she turns her head toward his voice. Chuck had to go back to work yesterday. I think he is glad to go back, he was getting a little cabin fever being home so long. But he enjoyed being off of work for awhile to take care of me while I recovered from the hardest part of the c/section recovery. I am doing well. This recovery is not as hard as after Charlie. I was and am amazed at how much easier this time was. It was still difficult and painful, but not as bad as a c/s after labor and pushing!!! I do still have some pain near the incision, if I move wrong, but being careful is helping. I also have really sore muscles around my torso. Must be from being reefed around on the OR table and also from having to adjust to the new balance issues, after having lost about 23 pounds in a couple days! But we are happy and sleepy here. Enjoying our new miracle from God! |
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