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| The bassinet where he slept for brief moments when he wasn't being held (!) |
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| Getting to know each other |
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| Our final day in the hospital - clear to go home |
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| "Can I hold him?! Can I hold him?! I wanna Hold Him!" |
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Smitten
The hospital nurses took good care of us. They left us alone for the most part, unless we needed something. I kept the baby in the room with me most of the night, when they weren't testing him for something or doing some other procedure. Couldn't stand the thought of him all alone in a nursery where I couldn't see him. He was supposed to sleep in his plastic bassinet that they rolled in and out of our room, but the 2 feet between his cradle and my hospital bed seemed so distant that I pulled him into the bed with me, bundled tightly in his blanket, and slept with him cradled in my arm.
Tag was the one who kept us on task and kept bringing me back to the subject of naming. "We have to decide on a name - let's focus on that right now." We wanted to include my father's name, so we finally settled on what felt like a fitting name for our gentle, thoughtful little man: Emerson John Graham. Afterward, when we looked it up on the internet, exploring Ralph Waldo Emerson's legacy, we confirmed that it seemed a perfect fit.
He had a few visitors at the hospital: Evelyn of course, Oma and Opa, and also the Sullivan's (Franklin, Darcy, Lilly and Jackson) just before they drove to the airport to leave for Switzerland (!). I'm so grateful that they got to see the baby before they left.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
October 24th - Birth Day !!!
He finally arrived !!
I had the "one week late" doctor visit and my doctor and Tag both convinced me that to wait any longer would only increase risks. No benefit to waiting any longer, so I agreed to the scheduled induction for Thursday morning, Oct 24th.
Wednesday afternoon I picked up Ev from school and chatted for a moment with one of the teacher aides. Naturally, she told me a horror story about an induced birth. Great. Yes, I know pittocin contractions are fierce. Yes, I know induced labor can mean a long and intense birth... When I got home, Tag and I took the dogs around the lake (walking walking walking, trying to get this labor to kick off) and poor Tag tried to console me and give me courage. The morning ahead loomed fuzzy and unreal. I prayed that it would go smoothly.
Somehow, I was able to settle in to sleep that night, Oma tucked in upstairs to care for Evelyn the next day. My alarm was set for 4am to give me time to get ready and arrive at the hospital by 5am for our appointment. I woke in the middle of the night to some subtle back aching... A quick glance at the clock told me it was 12:57am. I wasn't sure what to make of it...but it seemed to me that the ache was getting deeper and stronger...Was I imagining it? Was I creating this? Or was it real?! I lay very still, breathing evenly, observing the sensations, and slowly but surely I came to understand that this was REAL and I was SO EXCITED! I thought if I could just hold on and keep it going, that they would agree not to induce me when we arrived at the hospital.
Tag stirred at one point and asked if I was okay. I grinned at him like an idiot and whispered, "I'm in labor!" He laughed and said "No way" and then started timing the start-stop ("5 minutes apart...that doesn't seem right..."). I was calm and still, but was having a total party on the inside - soooo incredibly relieved to be in real labor, all by myself. Tag fell back asleep (!!) and I breathed evenly through the next couple hours until I got up at 4am and took a shower. Wow. That really got things going, and the contractions forced me to stop with each wave and just focus on breathing. I had to wake Tag up at 4:45 (!!) and told him we needed to get going. He messed around, letting the dogs out and stuff and at that point I was having trouble even standing upright so I essentially told him to kick it into high gear because We Needed To Go. NOW.
In the car, the contractions tightened their grip on me. That's when Tag understood that this baby was coming. Like, now. Thank God it was early and there was no traffic. It was still dark when we pulled up to the hospital entrance (damn those speed bumps !!). As I shuffled and moaned my way across the lobby, Tag and the security guy tried to offer me a wheel chair but the thought of stopping or sitting was impossible somehow so I grunted a "no" and headed for the elevators.
When we got to the delivery floor and reached the reception desk I hissed to the woman behind the glass, "we're here for a 5am induction, but we don't need it." She had me sign in (hold a pen how?) and asked me to be seated until they were ready for me - Tag rushed off to park the vehicle - so I labored (rather loudly) in the waiting room, in front of a young pregnant woman and who looked to be her mother (must have scared the wits out of her). The nurses finally came to get me (maybe it was only 2 minutes -- it felt like forever) and took me to a delivery room, got me dressed and then checked my progress. The pace and energy in the room room suddenly rocketed. Apparently I was fully dilated and this baby was knocking on the door. They rushed to get an IV in my hand and called my doc. Tag was back by then and he became my pillar and my focal point. Specifically, his hand, as I put all of my focus and strength into gripping that hand through the contractions. When the doctor arrived he broke my water, they told me to push, and by 6:16am we had a brand new baby boy! Tadaaa!! It Was Awesome. I thought, "this is how it's supposed to happen." And our baby boy was so beautiful, so perfect, so flawless. Incredible. We are overwhelmed with blessings.
I had the "one week late" doctor visit and my doctor and Tag both convinced me that to wait any longer would only increase risks. No benefit to waiting any longer, so I agreed to the scheduled induction for Thursday morning, Oct 24th.
Wednesday afternoon I picked up Ev from school and chatted for a moment with one of the teacher aides. Naturally, she told me a horror story about an induced birth. Great. Yes, I know pittocin contractions are fierce. Yes, I know induced labor can mean a long and intense birth... When I got home, Tag and I took the dogs around the lake (walking walking walking, trying to get this labor to kick off) and poor Tag tried to console me and give me courage. The morning ahead loomed fuzzy and unreal. I prayed that it would go smoothly.
Somehow, I was able to settle in to sleep that night, Oma tucked in upstairs to care for Evelyn the next day. My alarm was set for 4am to give me time to get ready and arrive at the hospital by 5am for our appointment. I woke in the middle of the night to some subtle back aching... A quick glance at the clock told me it was 12:57am. I wasn't sure what to make of it...but it seemed to me that the ache was getting deeper and stronger...Was I imagining it? Was I creating this? Or was it real?! I lay very still, breathing evenly, observing the sensations, and slowly but surely I came to understand that this was REAL and I was SO EXCITED! I thought if I could just hold on and keep it going, that they would agree not to induce me when we arrived at the hospital.
Tag stirred at one point and asked if I was okay. I grinned at him like an idiot and whispered, "I'm in labor!" He laughed and said "No way" and then started timing the start-stop ("5 minutes apart...that doesn't seem right..."). I was calm and still, but was having a total party on the inside - soooo incredibly relieved to be in real labor, all by myself. Tag fell back asleep (!!) and I breathed evenly through the next couple hours until I got up at 4am and took a shower. Wow. That really got things going, and the contractions forced me to stop with each wave and just focus on breathing. I had to wake Tag up at 4:45 (!!) and told him we needed to get going. He messed around, letting the dogs out and stuff and at that point I was having trouble even standing upright so I essentially told him to kick it into high gear because We Needed To Go. NOW.
In the car, the contractions tightened their grip on me. That's when Tag understood that this baby was coming. Like, now. Thank God it was early and there was no traffic. It was still dark when we pulled up to the hospital entrance (damn those speed bumps !!). As I shuffled and moaned my way across the lobby, Tag and the security guy tried to offer me a wheel chair but the thought of stopping or sitting was impossible somehow so I grunted a "no" and headed for the elevators.
When we got to the delivery floor and reached the reception desk I hissed to the woman behind the glass, "we're here for a 5am induction, but we don't need it." She had me sign in (hold a pen how?) and asked me to be seated until they were ready for me - Tag rushed off to park the vehicle - so I labored (rather loudly) in the waiting room, in front of a young pregnant woman and who looked to be her mother (must have scared the wits out of her). The nurses finally came to get me (maybe it was only 2 minutes -- it felt like forever) and took me to a delivery room, got me dressed and then checked my progress. The pace and energy in the room room suddenly rocketed. Apparently I was fully dilated and this baby was knocking on the door. They rushed to get an IV in my hand and called my doc. Tag was back by then and he became my pillar and my focal point. Specifically, his hand, as I put all of my focus and strength into gripping that hand through the contractions. When the doctor arrived he broke my water, they told me to push, and by 6:16am we had a brand new baby boy! Tadaaa!! It Was Awesome. I thought, "this is how it's supposed to happen." And our baby boy was so beautiful, so perfect, so flawless. Incredible. We are overwhelmed with blessings.
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| 8 lbs 5 oz, 21 inches long, and healthy healthy healthy |
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| Tag didn't even get a chance to have a cup of coffee before our baby arrived - HA ! |
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| Evelyn was eager to meet her baby brother - at long last ! |
Friday, October 18, 2013
October 2013 -- Still Waiting...
Okay, I'm over it. Due date came and went....Nothing. I was sure that this baby would come early. That I wouldn't have to worry about being overdue. Ha. The joke is on me.
My doctor says we'll give it one week and then we have to induce. This thought terrifies me because I do not want to use any drugs for the birth. And the rate for c-section with inductions is pretty high. Although my doctor assures me that his section rate is the lowest in the region (which is, of course, why I chose him). I remain very anxious.
I've been walking at night under the moon, willing labor to start -- I'm lucky it's a beautiful, full moon -- hoping that will kick start things somehow.
I wasn't anticipating that I'd attend the Merck Tech Conference this year, seeing as it was held on the 17th. Well sure enough, I was there. Which was pretty fabulous actually because, to my shock and amazement, I was awarded the Merck Consumer Care 2013 Scientific Achievement Award (!!!). Had my photo taken with our President Bridgette Heller and CSO John O'Mullane, swollen belly and all. What a trip.
My doctor says we'll give it one week and then we have to induce. This thought terrifies me because I do not want to use any drugs for the birth. And the rate for c-section with inductions is pretty high. Although my doctor assures me that his section rate is the lowest in the region (which is, of course, why I chose him). I remain very anxious.
I've been walking at night under the moon, willing labor to start -- I'm lucky it's a beautiful, full moon -- hoping that will kick start things somehow.
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| Still considering names... we'll have to meet this guy before we pick one that suits him |
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| ...tick tock...tick tock... |
Thursday, October 10, 2013
October 2013...Waiting for Baby Brother
We've been busy filling up the weeks before wee man is due to arrive (due Oct 16th).
Tag won the senior club championship (!!) - Very exciting - I am so immensely proud of him. He's been working hard on his game and it's great to see him get some special attention.
I'm still working, but pretty sure I won't have to go all the way to the due date. I'm ready (in other words, I'm ready to be NOT pregnant! And also to meet this little guy of course). We finally sorted out where we're going to put him (his crib, etc) and with the Feinstone's help we moved Tag's office from the upstairs room to the downstairs "dog room." And now little man has his own room, complete with new dresser, borrowed crib, gently-used changing table (thanks Sully's!) and some super cute jungle cartoon wall stickers. Turned out very sweet, and it's the perfect size.
Tag won the senior club championship (!!) - Very exciting - I am so immensely proud of him. He's been working hard on his game and it's great to see him get some special attention.
I'm still working, but pretty sure I won't have to go all the way to the due date. I'm ready (in other words, I'm ready to be NOT pregnant! And also to meet this little guy of course). We finally sorted out where we're going to put him (his crib, etc) and with the Feinstone's help we moved Tag's office from the upstairs room to the downstairs "dog room." And now little man has his own room, complete with new dresser, borrowed crib, gently-used changing table (thanks Sully's!) and some super cute jungle cartoon wall stickers. Turned out very sweet, and it's the perfect size.
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| Smooches for Darcy Ev told me once that "Darcy is my mommy when I'm at Lilly's house" |
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| the lovely Darcy and Lilly we will miss them terribly while they live their Switzerland adventure |
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| our artist |
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| ever the independent spirit, she hauled her own pumpkins to the wagon |
Sunday, September 29, 2013
September 2013
I've apparently reached the "Wow" stage of pregnancy. I walked off the elevator at work the other day and that was the reaction I got from the guy waiting in the lobby. We're at week 37, which is technically full-term. I'm waddling. Out of breath. I laugh at my pregnancy tracker app when it recommends that I exercise. Do they not understand that just walking down the hall is exercise? Anyway, feeling good other than the fact that I'm a whale. No problems. Little bit is very active and seems happy to bump around in there.
Ev is as goofy as ever. She is struggling a bit with her temper though these days. Not sure if it's because mamma can't keep up or give her the attention/energy she deserves...or if it's just part of being almost 4. She gets so frustrated so quickly. We're trying to help her through it, but not sure of the magic formula yet.
Enrolled her in a "real" ballet class and she is so fun to watch. I haul my big belly in there each Saturday morning and settle onto the floor to watch with a big dumb grin on my face the entire time (I guess parents aren't supposed to be in the class, since the other parents huddle around the doorway, but the teacher hasn't asked me to leave). Ev is a little anxious about class and I have to encourage her to join the group, but once they get going she is her usual enthusiastic self -- shaking her hips when the teacher starts up a song with a fun beat. The class is mostly 3 and 4 year olds, so you can imagine the "coordination" that occurs. Miss Susan seems a bit overtaxed with the need for patience...I love all of it. It's hilarious and I just want Evelyn to enjoy herself and have fun.
Ev is as goofy as ever. She is struggling a bit with her temper though these days. Not sure if it's because mamma can't keep up or give her the attention/energy she deserves...or if it's just part of being almost 4. She gets so frustrated so quickly. We're trying to help her through it, but not sure of the magic formula yet.
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playing in her galoshes with rain water INSIDE them
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| always busy drawing or stickering or painting |
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| Hangin' with Sammy at Marshall's birthday fest (notice the shoes on the wrong feet) |
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| showing off her new dance outfit |
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| the loveliest dancer in ballet class ;-) |
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| mamma toughed it out at the zoo and we had a great time some face paint (a must) and we even petted stingrays and sharks! |
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| the view from up here |
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| couldn't get them out of the massage chair section.... |
Thursday, August 29, 2013
August 2013
Got a text from Tag one morning as he helped E get herself ready for school: "I'm getting major resistance on why you cannot wear two dresses at the same time." Those two are a hoot together.
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| Total pro at this pedi thing now |
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| dancin' with Poppa |
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| great day for the playground - not too hot ! |
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| Play hard, sleep hard. |
Monday, July 29, 2013
July 2013
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Evelyn is visiting St. Mary's school for a week of camp, to change things up a bit for her (she seems bored at Heartsong...begs us not to take her there...breaks my heart that this kiddo has to "go to work" each day and can't enjoy a leisurely summer like we did growing up). Luckily, she loves the program at St. Mary's -- they do an excellent job there. They sing and dance and turn it into music videos - hilarious. Ev loves to show off the new routine they learned: "Your hands up high, your feet down low - this is how you jell-o!" with lots of hip-shaking (she loves to boogie).
She's asked if she can go to St. Mary's for the rest of the summer, but unfortunately they are booked up for the remaining weeks. Next summer, I'll know where to send her for some fun!
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| Ev loves to cuddle with Sadie, the neighbor dog - "Can I hold her?" is the persistent request |
We've been growing tomatoes in the garden -- Ev helped select the 4 versions that we decided to plant: a yellow variety, a purple (!), a cherry tomato and a beefsteak. We're starting to see the fruits now and Evelyn is a great harvester. She loves to fill a basket with ripe tomatoes and then "save them." She gets upset when we eat them...(HA!)...and she refuses to eat them herself. To her credit, she did try a cherry tomato before deciding she didn't care for it.
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| Vanilla remains the favorite |
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| Picnic for all her friends. Not one for tea parties, but loves a good picnic. |
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| Face of concentration as she does Cathy's hair |
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