We just got done watching X-Men Origins: Wolverine and much to our shock and dismay discovered that we ourselves are housing a mutant – The Incredible Insomniac Baby.
The Christmas shrub is still undecorated or even plugged in. I put the boxes on the back of the couch where Pluto sleeps to get them out of the way.
Sick is the order of the day. Yesterday I felt sniffily but just thought it was another stage of the great mucous evacuation from Tim’s cold the other week. As the night drew on, I realized that it was getting worse and my eyes were watering and bless it it all — it’s another freaking cold. 
Boo.
So today felt like pretty much of a waste. I took a nap. Canceled evening plans with an out of town family that I haven’t seen since August. Nursed a snacking and cat napping Athena all day. Watched Star Trek — pretty good movie! I almost felt like afterward that I wanted to call “them” up and say “Good job! Do another one!”
Sigh.
Athena is fussing at my side and won’t sleep unless I am holding her. Problem being I can’t hold her and type at the same time. Tim took Morella to the grocery store to buy some food and get her more milk. He had gone last night and had gotten her 8th Continent Vanilla Complete…which seems like it should be just like 8th Continent Vanilla Soy – -but it isn’t. For one it has 20 fewer calories per serving and only 10% more calcium and phosporus. What on earth do you need phosphorus for? Anyway. They were out of her usual so he tried subbing it. I tried giving it to her this morning and she took one sip, gave it a suspicious look and asked “What’s this?”
Can’t pull a fast one on her.
Okay Athena is still crying. I guess I have to hold her some more. We also got X-Men Wolverine today so maybe I’ll be watching that tonight since someone doesn’t think she can sleep without warm, comforting arms possible bouncing and probably the boob.
“Let’s go get the Christmas tree!” I told Morella. “It’s downstairs.” She nodded in agreement and we headed downstairs. I immediately took her to the workroom where the 4 1/2 foot, artificial tree I got 9 years ago in Chicago was stuffed into an old garment bag. I lifted it up and gave Morella a small wreath that has seen four, full years attached to the front of our door to “help” me out. As we were going back up the stairs she started pulling out greenery from the wreath and then immediately discarded it by the cat boxes upon entering the kitchen.
I took the tree to the living room and about an hour later was able to start putting it up. I moved the coffee table by the window, moved a bookshelf out of the way and figured out how I could use a bungee cord to wrap the tree onto the top of the table so it won’t fall off. Athena then wanted to eat, so I sat down to feed her and instructed Tim to work on the tree.
He goes over by the tree and stands there confused. “What is this supposed to be?” he asked.
“Tree,” answered Morella. We all praised her marvelous powers of observation — “Yes that is a tree! Good job!”
He starts poking at the sad little tree. “Is this supposed to be the top?” He gestured to a lone stick of greenery, rising a good 10 inches above the rest of the tree. “And what is wrong with this branch?” He lifted up a branch that had broken off.
“Do you want me to fix it?” I asked.
“Yes because I can’t do anything with this sad sack of …. tree,” he said and dry washed his hands of the our Christmas Tree miracle. “Come on Morella, let’s go downstairs.”
I later reminded him that I had wanted to buy a better tree for the last several years but he always said “What’s wrong with the one we have?” Apparently, this year he can’t even recognize it as a tree.
Tim’s parents came later on to give Morella her birthday present, and said that they have four trees and we could have their six or seven foot one. Score! Only..how do we get it home? Hmm.
Anyway. Check out Morella’s latest toy bling — she has so many awesome things now. A kitchen. A car. A food cart and now this:
For the moment we are only using the tunnel. I think I’ll set up a tent or tepee later on during the winter when the car has lost it’s shine, or ran out of batteries.
I feel kind of bad for Athena. She’ll never need any toys or presents because we have everything that is awesome already by way of Morella.
I think 7 hours and some change of driving in one day is the limit for traveling with two young kids and their parents. We made it. We left at 7 this morning. Got there around 11ish and left at 5:30 when Morella said we had to go. Got home at 9:30. Put a weepy Morella to bed and nursed a very hungry Athena to sleep. I am tired too, but for the love of posting here I am quickly getting in a post before crashing myself. It just looks too good, especially since our alarm started going off at 4 this morning and I went to bed at midnight with no car naps.
All of my dishes were a hit — even my dairy free pumpkin pie which Tim said was too spicy (and Morella agreed by emphatically spitting it out and smooshing it into Tim’s outstretched hand). I left it all there including a dishtowel and took my dishes so we have no leftovers. I miss leftovers. Especially turkey because my stepdad Frank does such a great job at roasting a turkey. He also always tells the same joke every year about the gravy being lumpy and the mashed potatoes being smooth.
Morella got another birthday present — some pajamas sized 5T, two tinkerbell long sleeved shirts and a doll with hand made outfits. She has a ton more hand made outfits here that I bought home last time that I’m going to give her at Christmas. Truth be told, I think she is a bit too young to really appreciate all the awesome clothes and doesn’t know quite how to dress and undress dolls. I think I might put them all away after she gets them until she is old enough to appreciate the awesome.
I think it’s kind of sad of me to do this, but I feel like saving all the things that my Mom does for future gifts because she might not be around to give her more much longer. It’s kind of a way to leave a legacy or have her included in my daughters lives.
Ugh. Sleep. My eyes feel like glue. Happy Thanksgiving Day!
Also my brother loved the shirt I got him “Got land? Thank an Indian.” I would have gotten it for myself except that I don’t like wearing statement T-shirts anymore. Plus, it looks better on him.
Man for a minute there I thought I forgot to post yesterday! Whew!
Today was busy. Got up. Drove Tim to work. Stopped at Daisy Cupcakery afterward for breakfast with Morella and Athena. I asked Morella if she wanted to go home or to a coffee house and she said coffee house. We hadn’t left the house for two days…well wait no we left last night to pick up Tim but in that case Morella didn’t leave the car. She often wants to leave the house now to go to a “store.” Awww.
She behaved wonderfully and even ate some. This woman started talking to me when I was distracting Morella (at the end) with a dog tied to the front about the girls and how Athena looks like me. I had noticed her two girls and said that one looked like her father and one took after her as well and wondered at the age difference between and imagined that was how Morella and Athena would be when they are older. I asked if she was going to or having her own Thanksgiving with the family. She said she was from Seattle (speaking of which every time I talk to an out of towner it seems they come from Seattle). I said we were doing a day trip to my Mom’s because Morella isn’t good at sleeping in different places right now — especially hotels. She commented that later on she will love hotels. Ha ha I do believe that. I still like hotels.
Anyway. I asked her if she ever had any of her own Thanksgivings and she said a few when they couldn’t travel back. She asked if I had any and I said no. She asked if I looked forward to that, and I said “NO because it means someone will have died. So it’s a mixed bucket I guess.”
I took the kids home after that and got Athena to sleep in her cosleeper after two tries. I then played with Morella gave her lunch. She gobbled down her favorite food ever — Easy Mac and then took a nap. A nap that only lasted an hour before she woke up screaming hysterically. I went in there and tried to figure out what she wanted: milk? no. Pillow? No. Blankets? No. Lights? No. Door open? No. Washed hands (she was dry washing her hands). No. Finally I shut the door on her for five minutes hoping she would calm down enough to tell me what the heck she wanted. Five minutes passed and she kept screaming. So I went back in there and picked her up. I held her for about 10 minutes before sitting down and rocked with her for another 10 or 15. Then I took her back to her room and laid her down where she was quiet for another 20-25 and then got up. I don’t think she slept, she just needed quiet time.
But after that, whoa boy. She was a meltdown factory over every little thing. I despaired at how the rest of the evening was going to be as it was only 4:00 when I remembered … “Do you want to go to the basement?” She stopped whining/crying and said “Yeah” with that half desperate laugh that kids do. Off we went to the basement where we stayed until 6:30 with one break upstairs to change Athena’s diaper and get Morella her milk. She was very insistent that I not dally either.
At 6:30 I fed her canned chicken noodle soup, watermelon, salad (she likes it) feta, and sunflower seeds, while I had a salad and leftover strogonaff. Then Tim came home. He helped with Athena and Morella while I finished getting some recipes together for the food I am bringing tomorrow. Morella went to bed late at 8 because Tim was having fun playing with her and her cut-able wooden fruit. I meanwhile tried to put Athena down who was tired so I could get cooking. She would go down right away but then comfort suck. Every time I tried to leave she as crying within five minutes. Ugh!
Around 9 she was still up and Tim had to go and get Pluto. I had a few minutes to make the dairy free pumpkin pie while he got her so at least that was started. Then I popped in a movie – Rebecca and settled down on the glider with Athena. She nursed to sleep in less than three minutes. I rocked her for about 20 minutes before putting her to bed where she finally stayed asleep. She’s has that gunk in her head that is draining so she’s been really touchy lately.
Then I finished the pie, made peanut butter cookies, green bean casserole (with cheese) and a sweet potato casserole. There are some other things I would like to do, such as put together the stuff I want to bring my Mom because we are planning on leaving at 5:00AM to get the most driving time while children sleep. I know I won’t remember all that stuff tomorrow, so it’s best to just have it ready to pick up and walk out. I didn’t get Morella’s stuff though. I think I might just pack her clothes and have her change when we get to my Mom’s. Same with Athena…no wait, I have to change her because she is wearing a sleep sack. Nutz. Well that shouldn’t be a big deal. She’s easier to do than Morella.
And here I am posting. I am looking forward to being done with the posting every day thing. I have a feeling that some of you are looking forward to me being done with it as well.
Athena has been having a hard time draining the snot in her head. I’ll admit we all have been having a time of it because it’s just taking so freaking long to get out. The only one unaffected is Morella. Maybe. I mean she has been complaining of what we think are headaches the last week so maybe her sinuses are funky too.
Anyway. Athena wouldn’t sleep more than 45 minutes today. Tonight I tried to put her down but she was having none of it. Instead of frustrating myself trying to put her to sleep before doing anything I accepted that she’s just a little baby still and it’s entirely okay to hold her while I rock in the glider and watch a movie. After all, I never get to do that sort of stuff with Morella anymore — she’s too wiggley.
I watched Neverwas, which had quite the list of stars in it. I paid attention the entire time but in the end was left feeling a little weird and sentimental about my children.
I looked at some of the pictures on my camera from the last week and saw a few where someone else had taken a photo of us singing Happy Birthday to Morella and me holding up her cake to her as Tim held her. She was a little overwhelmed by playgroup being at our house. Maybe because she had just gotten a bunch of new toys and here comes a load of kids who want to play with them before she’s had a chance to play with them. I was appalled at how … old I look. I look old, and hunch backed and fat and blah blah blah. I know, I know. I am still allowed to look like this. It took a long time to get this like this — especially since there was no breaks in between from pregnancy, to breastfeeding to pregnancy to breastfeeding again where my body really had a chance to snap back. I know it probably really won’t do so for another 2-3 years. Still, sometimes it’s gets me down to think I look like I am 45 or something when I’m not.
It got me thinking about how Morella and Athena don’t care what I look like. They think that I am the most wonderful human being on earth — right next to Daddy. In the next few years as they get a little older they will also think that I am absolutely gorgeous — and that thought is beautiful and comforting. Most children think that of their parents whether they deserve it or not for the first 10 or so years. I think it’s really cool that they will base their opinions on me based on love.
I was all over the place today. Elated with my babies, playing in the basement and upstairs. Then tired because no one wanted to take dual naps and they were too short and desperate to think of a way to pass the hours until bedtime. To being patient and trying to enjoy time with both of them, which is difficult when one isn’t feeling too well and the other wants so much to sit on and snuggle with the helpless baby. Eventually I put Athena in the swing and swung her into an hour nap — thank goodness. She doesn’t usually fall asleep in the swing. She prefers to be in bed and go from there, but she needed the movement and quiet lullabies.
Morella, meanwhile, helped me wash dishes, turn her light on and off a gazillion times (both of which are because she learned the true power of dragging a chair or something to where she wants to go and stand on it), drew on a chalkboard with me for awhile, watched a slide show of pictures from September 2008 (she was such a baby then! That was only last year!) and finally get dressed enough to run some errands in the car. I dropped off some mail at the post office, returned a cake container to a friend, picked up Tim at work because he was stranded without rain gear to get home, and finally to Burger King for a whopper dinner. Tim asked her where she was while we were waiting in the car line and she replied “Eat.”
Great. She knows fast food. Ha. Well, you know it’s really sometimes the easiest thing with two really little ones in the car.
I’ll work on pictures tomorrow.
He Said She Said: Morella’s Birth Story
The morning of November 22nd was the start of Thanksgiving Day. I was 12 days overdue, only less than 1 centimeter dilated and 50% effaced and despite trying everything under the sun except Castor oil we admitted defeat and agreed to be induced. Instead of packing up to head to Tim’s parents (as it was there turn for Thanksgiving) we packed our hospital bags and headed to St. Mary’s after Tim cooked up an egg breakfast with toast. We checked in around 5:00AM and waited around for the doctor to come in and talk to us the process. Cervidil was inserted around 6:00, and the fetal monitor and IV’s were placed. The nurse who inserted the needle messed up big time and rendered my left hand practically unable because a huge bruise formed over the top. I was angry about it later because it helps to have both hands when in the throes of labor. Plus, you know, it hurt. While we waited for the magic to start I worked on an needlework ornament for the baby very carefully as not to cause me further pain. . I watched a movie and some TV while Tim slept on the couch, updated my blogs and waited for my cervix to start dilating.
Hi, wazika fans. This is the DH guest-blogging live from the hospital. They’ve got wireless access, which is pretty cool. Anyway, the induction process has commenced. The DW is a fingertip dilated and 50% effaced, and they’ll be checking again at 10:30 am. As you may know, gentle readers, there’s really no way to predict how long this will take. If we’re lucky it will go quickly. But, in my uneducated and amateur opinion, this could take a little time.
posted by hadjare @ 7:06 AM
The doctor had said that it often takes two administrations of cervidil before they they start the picotin. Thankfully that wasn’t the case for us. About an hour or two after it was inserted I started to feel like I was getting my period cramps. Not the full blown crampiness that you get when the communists rush the fort, but more like the twings from the day before.
I, the DH, have humbly returned to provide additional information for all you birthing fans. We have conflicting measurements from two doctors, with dilation somewhere between 2-4 cm, and effacement around 60-70%. What they agree on is that the DW is progressing nicely. Contractions continue at 2-3 minute intervals, but have not started causing much pain. Bacon bit is currently awake and making the fetal monitor emit swishing noises to the back beat of her heart. The DW is requesting tea, so I must away. posted by hadjare @ 10:55 AM
The cervix check from the first doctor, one of my original OB’s was okay. I was able to hack it even though I have a very high cervix. However his shift ended at 7 that morning. The next doctor was brutal and I screamed and told her so and thereafter was very reluctant to have anyone near my cervix. At this point they had decided I was ready for the pitocin to start.
No real progress from earlier. Mild, regular contractions continue, but we’re just hanging out, with me reading a book and the DW watching a DVD. posted by hadjare @ 2:20 PM
I sent Tim off to get something to eat and possibly hand our house keys off to our friends Sigrid and Matt to take Pluto for the weekend. We had to wait for them to come back from Thanksgiving dinner. While he was gone I took the advice of the nurse and started walking circles around the nurses station with my IV pole. I got a lot of smiles from folks and encouragement but after about 15-20 minutes I started to get bored and … dare I say it? Uncomfortable and tired. Five minutes back into my room, I felt a gush down yonder. No one was there for me to excitedly yell that my water broke for another five minutes. Instead I just sort of wobbled over to the bathroom all bowlegged and sat down on the toilet for a while. When I wiped and saw bloody show with the water was when I got my first real electric shock. This was really it. I was going into real labor!
Water broke at ~4 PM. DW dubbed it the arrival of the Three Big Gushes (she said I could quote her on that). The doctor is going to check conditions in about an hour. The DW is currently perched on a birthing ball, doing cross stitch, and flipping through the channels on the TV. posted by hadjare @ 4:14 PM
I was trying to take it in stride and relax, but that was hard to do since the contractions had kicked it up a couple of notches. The pitocin was ramped up to it’s highest dose and my pain tolerance was wavering, after all I had been at this all day. The birthing ball wasn’t doing the magic that I thought it would. I didn’t help the ball I was on felt too squishy and perched on top of a towel with a gimpy hand and monitors, IV’s and tubes everywhere made it hard to be keep my balance and be comfortable. I gave up on the stupid ball and took the nurses suggestion of a bath in the big wide tub.
The DW is currently ‘relaxing’ in the tub, and having pretty frequent contractions. She’s told me to shut up at least twice while she breathed through one. The baby monitor can be a hassle, and the DW is finding it difficult to get a comfortable position while trying to balance all the cords and whatnot. She asked me if she could get an epidural so she could take a nap. I said that I didn’t think those things were intended to be used recreationally. A anonymous source related to me, the humble DH, would bet, if they were the betting sort, that Bacon Bit will arrive within the next two hours. So far, the Bit has been bucked all predictions, so I remain skeptical. In related news, a friend of ours has graciously gone to feed our pets. We are extremely grateful, and indebted to this kindness. posted by hadjare @ 6:18 PM
Relaxing is hardly what I would have called floating around in that big tub with the telemetry IV pole. I couldn’t get my right hand wet and my left hand, as I mentioned was gimpy, so it was me mostly figuring out a way to stay upright and not end up floating on my back in the water. It was nice that it was hot and a few contractions felt a teeny bit more manageable, but not for long. While I was in there the phone rang. The anonymous source was Tim’s mother insisting that she drive all the way down to Madison because she was sure that the baby was going to be born soon. The idea of having any one other than the nurses, the Dr. Ungentle and Tim there horrified me. I told him under no circumstances should she come. I was also beginning to wonder where the heck my epidural was. I had never said that I wanted an unmedicated birth and the contractions were fast, furious and hard. However, the main nurse was under the impression that I did want it to be natural. I won’t say “all natural” because, you know, I was being induced. After about 30 minutes I gave up on the tub and got out. I rested on the toilet because the contractions were so painful. I couldn’t imagine walking back to the bed, but that is also where I wanted most to be. I believe at this point I started to swear and cry that I wanted pain medication and I wanted it now! Tim conveyed this to the nurse, she apologized for misunderstanding me earlier and put in the order for the epidural. I asked whether or not my back surgery would affect my chances of getting an epidural and they said it wouldn’t. Thank goodness!
Ahhh, sweet relief!!!!The
anesthesiologist just finished placing the epidural, and the DW is now relaxing comfortably with some classical music playing in the background. The lights have been dimmed, and she is attempting to take a nap.The latest medical jargon thrown my way is that dilation remains at 5 cm, but that the cervix has moved all the way forward and baby is in Station Zero (Copy, Red Two! Check your six!). posted by hadjare @ 8:39 PM
The placement of the epidural wasn’t that bad. The anesthesiologist was able to get it in over the span of two contractions. Sitting there as still as can be during those contractions was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but the promise of relief was worth it. Minutes after he was finished I felt a flood of warmth take over and I was finally able to relax for the first time since that morning. The nurses suggested I take a nap and I heartily agreed in attempting it. Mostly I just wanted some peace and quiet to lay there and reflect. The peace lasted for an hour, before the contractions started creeping in. I told Tim and the nurse that the epidural was loosing it’s effectiveness and they in turn told me to push the button and switch laying from side to side. I did as instructed but the pain was increasing exponentially. [Current readers will know that the epidural was ineffective because of my broken back and the relief I did feel was from the spinal shot which only gives relief for an hour -- two tops].
Another rotating of the guard is about to occur. A nurse change is coming up, and we will be bidding a fond farewell to our third nurse during our stay. Contractions are strong, but irregular. Baby is really coming down. The current nurse, the resident-on-duty, and this faithful scribe all agree that it looks like Bacon Bit will be born on the 23rd. While it remains within the realm of possibility that she will show up on the 22nd, she seems to be taking her time. I’m sensing a theme, and already dread the implication that waking her up to go to school will be an Herculean task.It’s time for another cup of coffee for me. Alas, the DW is limited to ice chips, the price of an epidural. posted by hadjare @ 10:36 PM
I was sad that my nurse was going off duty. As it was, she stayed on an extra half an hour past her shift to encourage men and help me along. At 11:10 or something she checked me again and said I was fully dilated. I said I wasn’t ready and she said to just try and labor down for an hour so that when I started to push it would be faster. The next check was going to be from an OB around midnight and she said I would probably have to start then. Meanwhile, I labored down. My method was to grasp the side of the bed with my good arm and breath through each contraction. They finally lowered the pitocin because of the severity, however it didn’t reduce the pain at all.
The doctor has uttered some sort of magic words about the cervix being complete. They gave DW the option to start pushing now, but she declined, choosing to ‘labor down’ a little longer. Her plan is to start pushing in about 30 minutes, but, if I may be frank, I do believe I heard her attempt to bargain with the doctor and nurse, suggesting that perhaps Bacon Bit could kick her way out. The DW still entertains a small hope that it will be just like Morticia Addams in Addams Family Values, and that she will experience only the mildest of discomfort accompanied by a dainty exclamation. May it be so! posted by hadjare @ 12:05 AM
After my cervix was checked and they said I could start, I said I would wait a little longer. They let me stall for about 20 – 30 minutes before telling me I needed to get started. I said I didn’t know what to do and they said to go with the urge to push. I said I had no urge to push. I didn’t know how to push and then they said the classic “Pretend that you having a bowel movement.” With that inspiration in mind I started to push. In truth, my real inspiration was to imagine myself as a tube of toothpaste and envisioned that that I was squeezing the paste down from the top. Sort of like starting from my sternum and pushing downward. So it was that I began the final journey of the pregnancy.
About an hour into pushing the nurses began having real difficulty keeping the fetal monitor on my belly. They kept loosing her heartbeat, and often times it would vary widely each time there was a contraction. They conferred with the doctor, Tim and myself and said they were going to insert an internal monitor onto the baby’s head. I agreed–mostly because I would finally be rid of that wretched external belly strap and have more freedom in movement. Once installed we saw that the baby was doing fine and just how strong those contractions were at which point they turned the pitocin off.
About ten minutes after that, in a blur of commotion in which Tim later said scared him for the first tie–a nurse came in and told me I needed to get on my hands and knees immediately. I did as she said right away because there was a low urgency to her tone. Once on my hands and knees apparently the baby’s heart rate returned to normal and everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief. Once in this position, I realized it was way better than anything else I had tried, except I couldn’t support my weight well with an iv on top of my right hand a huge bruise covering the other. I said as much between contractions and they suggested raising the back of the bed to the highest it would go and I would lean against it. It was this position that I stayed for the next two hours with Tim at my head counting for me.
I had him count for a span of eight over and over. They were able to see when a contraction was starting on the monitor before I felt it and Tim would tell me so I could get ready and maximize the pushing for the full counts. I was usually able to get three good, eight count pushes in – sometimes four before gasping for air and the millisecond of relief between the waves of agony.
Finally at about 2:30 the doctor and nurses told me I should lay back down on my back to deliver. I didn’t believe it was really going to happen but moved into position anyway. I hated being on my back, but I hated being in labor even more and if I was going to get a baby by laying there, so be it. Tim later said that 15 minutes later everyone was gearing up quickly covering everything and everyone in blue but himself. He wondered why it was that he didn’t get protection.
Pushing a baby out was incredibly hard. They asked if I wanted to feel down there and I said no. They asked Tim if he wanted to see and he said no (we had already discussed this before). I wanted Tim up by me, counting and giving me encouragement. At 2:43 AM, with one final push I felt a slippery, rubbery mass come out of me. She immediately started crying and they asked if I wanted to hold her. I remembered that skin to skin immediate contact was supposed to be helpful in nursing so ripped the gown I was wearing down and they deposited an iron smelling, bloody, moist little baby onto my chest. I started crying because we were done. She was here. I said “We did it. We have a baby,” and “Is it a girl?” to Tim who was himself a little misty eyed. He later said it was because I was crying. Oh please. It was that dimple on her cheek. 
I held her for a good ten minutes before asking of the whereabouts of the placenta. The nurse and OB had both been pummeling my abdomen and started massaging more in earnest. Nothing was happening and in fact I believe I started bleeding more. I
told the Dr. Ungentle she had my permission to go in after it. The Doctor believed in part that the epidural should still provide some pain management when she did it — but my friends, that was not the case. In fact, her first attempt at getting the placenta made me scream out like I was being murdered. It was the first time I had screamed like that since I had broken my back and had to get out of the car to a bed at the ER. I scared the doctor and she pulled out, empty handed. I said I needed something more so they administered morphine to the IV, waited five minutes and she tried again. Once again I screamed and screamed every second she was there. She withdrew and said I would need to be better medicated. Later on, I realize that what I really got was a D and C. I was bundled up and rolled into another section of the hospital for this emergency procedure and finally got some serious drugs to kill the pain. It was almost a little bit of heaven being strapped down on the table because I felt so good. There was no pain. No nothing. It took about an hour for the procedure to be complete. They administered antibiotics, I lost of a lot of blood but in the end they were able to get the retained placenta.
Finally, around 4:30 in the morning I was rolled back into the suite to really get a good look at my goo eyed little baby.
Bacon Bit’s Secret Identity Revealed!!!After 2 hours of pushing, Morella Adelaide entered the world at 2:43 am on Friday, November 23. For those of you betting at home, she was a little critter at 6 pounds 14 ounces, and 18.5 inches long. DW blames my side of the family for being little. She’s doing really well. Her apgar scores were 8 and 9. The delay in posting was because the DW’s placenta was being stubborn and wouldn’t come out. DW needed a little help from the docs to get it out, which left me on baby duty for a bit. She has the cutest dimple on her left cheek, and she’s got a crazy amount of light-colored hair.
posted by hadjare @ 4:35 AM
After it was all said and done people would ask me about the birth and labor. I don’t think I talked about it too much other than to a few good friends. Since I had never had a baby before I figured it was as normal as birth could be. I couldn’t really gauge whether it was a difficult birth or not. All labor is hard and it hurts. I mean, there is a wide range of what is normal and what one experiences. Every birth story is unique. It took me awhile to feel like Morella’s story was unique because I was induced but I’ve since gotten over that. My story is Morella’s story and I know she’ll want to know it in the future days to come. Though of course that version is going to be more like this:
“It was Thanksgiving day and you were 12 days over due. It was a cold brisk day, and all was quiet in the hospital because everyone was having Thanksgiving dinner with their families. I had initially resisted having you on Thanksgiving day because I felt it was cliche and apparently you agreed because you came the next day, early in the morning with a shout to the world despite your diminutive size. A full head of blond hair and murky blue eyes and a dimple that would melt anyone you show it too. “
At least, until you know she is older. I will be printing this story tonight and tucking it into her journal.
———————————————————————
I’ll post about how the day went tomorrow, since you’ve just got done reading a novella. 
OH, I’m cutting it close to the wire! I had a lot to do this evening after Athena went down. I made and decorated a cake, swept and mopped the kitchen floor, did the dishes, cleaned the fridge, cleaned the table and counters, went to Woodman’s, put the food away, wrapped Morella’s presents, got the plates and snacks laid out for tomorrow morning and cleaned up the basement some more — oh and washed and dried the diapers. Whew! Now I am posting. I am having playgroup here at my house tomorrow morning bright and early at 9:00 in honor of Morella’s birthday. She is so in love with the basement playland and threw a huge tantrum because she had to eat dinner (second time). I am so glad that she likes it down there. I think it’s best birthday present we really could have given her — a whole area to play.
Crap. Athena is in the middle of the bed and Tim wants to go to sleep. I told him to move her over and be careful because I have to finish posting this by midnight.
In a few short hours from now, two years ago — Morella bounded into our lives and changed it forever.
I’ll give you a birth story tomorrow. Athena wants her Mommy.
omg – Toys R Us is the most ghetto store ever. I was able to put the toy cart together just fine based on review — only to find out that it’s missing TWO wheels!! wtf.
Now we have to drive all the way over there to replace it or get something else. This blows.
Ho boy. We bought Morella’s birthday presents today over at Toys R Us. It was crazy busy there! Apparently they started doing door buster type stuff this weekend. At least it was a nice day for it.
Anyway. Since Morella can’t read I am going to tell you what we got. Her Uncle Ben and Aunt Kelly sent along gift cards which bought Morella:
Happy Songs Coupe – Fisher-Price – Toys "R" Us
She saw us buy it and was very happy to leave the store with the box. It was something that has to be considered an “early birthday present,” because we put it together for her in the basement after her long nap. When she had gotten up she saw the box and recognized the car and remembered it! Anyway. Half of it was already assembled and it had no instructions, and the screws and caps were in a ziplock bag! Thankfully, every thing was there and with my expert, problem solving brain I was able to put it together. To say that she loves it is an understatement. It was sort of a last minute idea while we were wandering around the store trying to avoid getting run over by other shoppers. Tim had taken me back to see a foam easy chair for 40$ that Morella seemed to like when we saw the power wheels. I then remembered how much she loves those little red cars that the community center and her grandmother have so I asked a sales person where they might be. He showed me, we had Morella test drive a few models (the Little Tykes were too small) before we decided on this one — roomy, plays music, had a trunk, and a cup holder. Bonus it was on sale! So thanks Uncle Ben and Aunt Kelly!
As for us, we got her … uh oh. I am looking at the reviews for the shopping cart to go with the kitchen — and they are not favorable. I should try and assembling it tonight to see if it is indeed the garbage the say. Dang it.
We got her wooden cut able play food and two scheiss animals — a cat and a pony (she picked them out).
Before that, I had also gotten her a bucket of farm animals, and some kitchen accessories from Target. All in all, we are excited for to open them.
The bit of bad news today is that she won’t be getting her specialized fox themed birthday cake. My cake lady has had one of her troops fall ill with the H1N1 virus. All of you who were present last year for our memorable ‘rotovirus’ party favor will appreciate the the fact that we don’t want to make her 2nd birthday be the H1N1 party. So that means sheet cake. I wonder if I should get one from Hy-Vee…hmmm.
Mother’s Helper is coming over to help me do as much as I can in making the basement more fun, cleaning the house, etc. Tim has to work, so I appreciate the help more than you know.
Crap, we forgot to give Morella her medicine. I hate waking her up to do that. How many more days? Thursday … today will be the last dose. Thank goodness!
Sorry to cut this short!
