Day 1 - photos (continued)

Hospital Bath

Nana's First Visit

Big Sister - Day 1

Lulu & LeoSince she was born she's always known exactly what she wanted! On the day she walked into the hospital room she put her baby doll at the foot of my bed and reached her arms out to hold her new baby brother, Leo.

Lulu says his name and it sounds like "Low"

As any good mother, I made her sit on a the bed, propping pillows around her and put Little Leo on her lap. Once there on her little lap there was no way anyone else was going to hold him! It must have been 30 - 45 minutes later when my mom said, "Can I hold him now?" and without missing a beat Lulu said, "No." Later as I was showering I heard a lot of screaming as they tried to pick up Leo to hold him, it seems the screaming was accompanied by crocodile tears too.

Eventually we got her up when the nurses were coming to change the bedding.

Welcome Little Leo

The play by play leading to the birth of a wonderful baby boy.

WARNING: Could be boring if you don't really want to know all the details!

On was Sunday I was having contractions. Albeit less painful than the braxton hicks, and about 10-15 minutes apart, but not consistent for the most part, and not all over, but I had a weird sensation in my abdomen all night so was thinking this could be the night, and at the same time hoping to hold out until Wednesday so that I could take my last booked clients and get a manicure & massage! Ha, ha, ha... you know the joke: "How do you make God laugh? ..... Make plans!" I went to bed when I ran out of the red yarn I was knitting mom's hat out of.




I woke several times in the night to pee (as usual for a 9 month pregnant woman), the last visit I made was at 3:00 am. Then just before 4am on Monday, February 7th I felt my water break... so glad I wasn't out and about, it's just the worst feeling to have water running between your legs out of your control! Anyhow, diapered myself up with a towel and went to wake Gerry who's been sleeping on the couch. I digress for a minute... he's been in a lot of pain with his neck/back pinched nerve, and I feel bad for him but I LOVE A BED TO MYSELF! Ok, back to the story: I woke Gerry, who went to pull the car around and get his things together, then I woke my mom. I had just started packing my "hospital bag" a few days before, I had a list but only a few of the items in it... so as I waddled around with my diaper towel being held by one hand, I gathered the things on the list as mom checked them off and put them in the bag. Gerry loaded the stuff in the care and we were off to our 45 minute drive to DL at 4:30am.






Thank goodness the car ride wasn't bad, and Gerry drove with gusto so we arrived, checked in and and were in our hospital labor room by 5:30am. I guess it's only in the movies that they rush you a wheel chair when you enter the hospital in labor! I never thought that I would wish for that option, but standing and walking around in public with a bath towel around between my legs is far less dignified!



I changed into the hospital garb and the digital swag was hooked up to me and baby boy to check and keep us tied down to a 3 foot radius around the birthing bed. They say it's procedure to ensure the safety and well being of mom and baby, but IDK.



We sat around for what seemed like forever, but it wasn't until my Doctor was on duty at 6am before we were giving pictocin to help labor progress. I was 2 cm dilated when I went into the hospital, I was also 2 cm dilated at my doctor appointment Thursday. Doctor came in around 9 or 10 am, I was 3 cm... not much progress, and he wanted me to be 4-5 cm before starting an epidural. I wimped out, 7 hours of back labor with Lulu was just too much to want to even go through that again... and yes, 'every birth is different' but Lulu was fine after having an epi, and I was great after that... and she's as smart as sharp as a tack so it didn't affect her in any way.



Labored until 1:30 pm with the nurse(s) upping the dose of pictocin a total of 3 times, at which time I started having back labor. All I could think was "NO NOT AGAIN!" Surely panic sat in, and as I labored for the next 30-40 minutes and the back labor worsened, I told Gerry to call the nurse to start making calls to the doctor and anesthesiologist because I know it takes time to get all the people needed lined up and in my hospital room... and I wasn't planning on suffering through any more back labor than needed. Truth be told, I honestly feel like there is no way I could deliver a baby while having back labor... I couldn't sit much less lay down on my back. I labored mostly standing, attempting to breath, but ultimately leaning on a wall and pushing my head so hard into it that I had a bruise on it for 3 days, slapping the wall, crying, breathing, etc... it wasn't pretty.



It was about 2:30pm when the anaesthesiologist and nurses came into the room. They had to check my dilation before the epi... so between contractions they checked me, I went from 3 cm to 8 cm in 30-40 minutes. OUCH! No wonder I felt like I was being ripped in half! Through 2 more back labor contractions I sat at the foot of the bed in the cat position with Gerry coaching me through contractions and supporting my feet and holding my hand. The epi was in and within 5 minutes I was comfortable. Contraction started picking up again and became regular again a bit after the epidural was in (it slows things down)... I started pushing for Little Leo at 3:50 pm and he was born at 4:20 pm.



I am so glad we finally decided on naming him after Gerry's daddy! It's very special... and fitting for his little personality.



Immediately after he was delivered, they put him on my chest, he was covered in vernix because he was born at 38 weeks... well a day shy of 39 weeks. The vernix absorbs into his skin and acts as a moisturizer. Gerry cut the umbilical cord, then the doctors took care of me while Gerry watched the nurses do all the tests to Leo. Eventually it was dinner time, I got a bath, Gerry went home to be with Lulu, and I tried to get some rest.



Later that evening my friend Tracey came to watch Leo while I slept since Gerry couldn't stay. It was really a relief... I got 3+ solid hours of sleep and she took care of him through his first bath and those first mucus coughs that I know would have kept me awake all night.

Naps & Baths

Napping

Lulu started napping on a mat at daycare, so now at home she wants to nap on the floor. This was the first day she wanted to (2/5/11), but because her fear of the vacuum and the dog and cat hair on the floor now I pull out a mattress for her to lay on. She's funny, stays on the mattress and plays with her doggies and talks to herself before she falls asleep and after she wakes up.

Bath Time Toys

The new toy sprays like a fountain with a flashing blue light.

Oh it looks so fun, I can put my hands and face in it.

Not so sure I like my face getting sprayed...

Definitely don't like my face sprayed. Lulu made me take the star fountain and put it in the bin of 'unapproved' toys that are not allowed in the bathtub. I finally started giving her baths in the big tub because she likes to stand up, and having in the sink standing just isn't a safe option at 9 mos pregnant.

Weekly Posting...

Painting A Picture Frame
It seems we cannot pass my studio without some complaining about wanting to "Color".

Baby Cove
A small area ready for baby boy "Not Jake." I was feeling a bit sad that we really have done little to nothing for the baby coming soon. Then I realized that it really isn't much different that what we did for Lulu. Looking at the blog link Old Closet - New Closet in May 2009. So "Not Jake's" little nook is pretty good! LOL. As soon as Lulu saw the set up she wanted into the crib (which I didn't allow, so she doesn't get confused about her space)... but she found it a good place for ALL of her baby dolls and her pull along puppy.

A Family Nap

After a LONG, LONG night of Lulu's vomiting... Lulu had her first nap not in her crib, the 3 of us were curled up in bed watching The Muppet Show and she passed out in 10 minutes.

Stitches & Random Pictures This Week

CHEETOS... who doesn't love them. Fortunately she only eats about 5-7 of them and is done.



CUPCAKE... this bib she's been wearing daily because she's a goofball, puts it on herself. This look is 'Momma your disturbing my "Babies" movie.'

Daddy... is outside feeding chickens, and she's not allowed out because it's too cold. This picture just makes me want to clean my coat room... but what is the point! Just the mere thought is exhausting!

PRETTY ME... she did not want to go to daycare this day, but when I asked her if she wanted to wear this dress from Grandma or Joanne she changed her mind. Yes she a girly-girl for the most part.

ANIMAL LOVE... The thing she loves to do most is to lay on Gromit, it seems that Sesame does too! She tends to think he needs to hold all her toys too, most ofen you see him in a sea of her dolls, balls, and whatever she's carting around in her shopping cart or stroller. She loves to give them all hugs and kisses!

Dearest Daddy* believes that Lulu feels bad for Gromit having no balls and donated a few. Doesn't he just look so annoyed to have to lay amoung her toys? I bet he wishes he didn't have arthritis! Poor guy! On the brighter side, she feels very safe around him, today she went to my room where he was because I pulled out the vacuum cleaner... neither of them like the vacuum. They huddled together waiting for the noise to stop.






MEGA BLOCKS BOX... her favorite thing to play in. She made me put all the blocks back into the box around her too.

Lulu is growing so fast... teeth, hair, personality getting stronger. Using words, but not stringing them together yet. She's a fisty little jumping bean.





STITCHES... Fell on my face Monday, Jan 10, 2011. My face and knee took the fall. Baby is ok. Having contractions on and off since the Tuesday after the fall, but nothing related. Matter of fact baby's heart rate never changed when I went to the hospital for stitches and xrays... so either I was relaxed, or baby boy is MELLO! Let's just pray it's the latter of the two.

What A Ham!

Say Cheese!
A word she says that helps us get those pretty whites in our photos! She didn't want to get dressed until she saw this cute outfit... my fashionista.

Odd Ball

Playing piano... notice the bib that she refused to take off, and the size 8 shoes she wanted to wear, everyday she picks her own shoes despite my suggestions. Oh well, she's funny and I just can't complain as long as she wants to wear shoes.

Light Shopper

With her new shopping cart she likes to push the baby around, and she keeps a plastic pear in the back but NOTHING else is permitted. I try all the time to put more stuff in there including her Little Doggy.

On the Ball

She was refusing to sit on the yellow ball... then I shoved it behind my red chair and the kitty went back there. Anything to be close to Sesame! Note: she's saying "Cheese" for me. LOL!

Christmas Week

New Truck

This is the Ford F350 Diesel Power Stroke Crew Cab. Now to sell the F150 and the Winnebago.


Minneapolis Christmas

Lulu has warmed up to Uncle Bob & Uncle John during Christmas in Minneapolis. She actually went to sit on Bob's lap a couple times, and played with John. They pulled out the traditional Santa Hat to hand out presents from under the tree... Lulu thought it was more fun to cover her face and run into everything. She also mastered opening gifts quite quickly.


Where's My Hand?

After vomiting 2/3rds of the way through the security line at the airport, and on the airplane. Later landing in Colorado and having a high fever... then after a Tylenol nights sleep she developed a Staph infection which came to light the following morning. The next day we spent in the clinic, and the day after that... by Wednesday she was feeling good enough to make up this disappearing hand game. It only lasted a few hours but by Christmas Eve she was feeling fine and her infection was clearing up.


My "Trunkie" Sunny

Lulu's new airport approved carry on, we used it to carry her toys. It's a ride-on suit case.


At Auntie Nina's

A "Big Sister" gift at the baby shower for her brother. She loved being with her cousins.


Colorado Christmas
After a rough morning with at least 2 time outs for hitting Mommy, Lulu opened the "Little Puppy" then decided that she wanted to color. When she heard me pushing the Little Puppy (with its little bark) she made a bee-line for the pup and took it back to her coloring spot. Later she opened a few other gifts... it seemed to go on all day until about 3pm.