Saturday, May 31, 2008

The first 60 hours

Things are going great! Here's a run down of the first 60 hours:





  • Heather has figured out Meera's cries: Low pitched and throaty is hungry, high pitched and breathy is other "bodily functions", middle pitched and more subtle is "Papi, you're changing my diaper again?!?!"



  • Meera is a very good baby. She communicates a lot, eats well, sleeps well and loves to be held. She slept for 4 hours in a row last night!


  • Owen loves to hold his baby sister. He always wants to take her out of the blanket and remove the onesie. If she was a toy, he'd try to take her apart to see how she works, but that's not happening, since he's extremely gentle and careful with her.

  • All on his own, Owen included Meera in nightly prayers.


  • Kyle doesn't want to hold her. Why? Because he's afraid he'll hurt her. He gets very very concerned when she's crying and tells mommy that baby Meera is hungry.

  • Yesterday when Meera was crying, all on his own, Kyle went and found the pacifier and gently put it in her mouth.

  • Kyle understands Meera has different cries and is pretty good at identifying them.



  • The staff at St. Lukes is wonderful.

  • The staff at St. Lukes pretty much takes it in stride when K & O "walk" around the place (walking = skipping as to avoid "running").

  • K & O both love the adjustable hospital bed.

  • K & O are both super sensitive with mommy's belly.

  • Meera has the sweetest baby smell and her skin is so soft.


Heather is truly a wonder. And I am not just being subjective. Heather labored for 9 hours on pitocin without any pain killers. No epidural, no codeine, no nothing. Just breathing and relaxing. During labor, the nurse asked her what her pain was from 1-10. Heather said a 6. Both the Doctor and the nurse looked askance and the nurse said: "I can't tell you what you're feeling of course, but most women right now would be screaming." Heather replied: "I am waiting for it to get really bad." The Doctor chimed in "well, I think this is about as bad as it will be."

She wound up going to plan C (where plan A was natural, plan B was induced): cesarean. I witnessed the whole thing, and it was something no words can describe. Note, I am not posting those pictures here.

Heather is recovering beautifully. She's up and about, dressed in her own clothes and we're hoping to be discharged today.

30 comments:

Cindy said...

Boo to plan C. I did it that way twice. It does give babies the most beautiful round heads though!!
I hope Heather recovers quickly. Make sure to take good care of yourself is my best advice.
Meera is a beauty!

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous baby! The picture with Kyle is wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Forgot to ask: why the C section if labor was going so well?

Patricia said...

Soooo cute! :) Good work Heather!
xo,
Patricia

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh, come on man! I want the pictures! ALL of them!

Glad for the update. Some of us (Nydia) were getting impatient. I love the photos you did post. Favorite is the yawn. And isn't that baby smell awesome?!?

Glad to hear everyone (Baby, boys, mom and dad) are doing well.

Jon

Mark and Sarah said...

Wow, Heather...9 hours of natural-induced labor?!?! Amazing! Meera is gorgeous. She's sure lucky to have amazing parents and brothers :) Congrats, again.

Anonymous said...

Wow wow wow. Congratulations again on a healthy baby. It is wonderful to see that the boys are doing well so far. My prayers are there!

hazel said...

Big congratulations to your family. Meera is adorable and will be a wonderful little sister to Kyle & Owen. I love the baby pictures - especially the first two!

Kim said...

CONGRATULATIONS...
Great job Heather..
Meera is beautiful...
LOVE the pictures..
Glad everyone is doing well..

RamblingMother said...

She is truly a beautiful baby. Glad to hear Heather is doing so well and the boys are too.

Beverly

Anonymous said...

meera is PERFECT! zoe said. "i love her already mommy!!!!" the boys look so sweet holding her.

i'm sure everyone is ready to get home and into a routine.

i hope heather has a speedy recovery. xoxoxo

lori, shelli, & zoe

Candis said...

To quote Robbie Burns, ...The best laid plans of mice and men..." T'is no matter. Everyone came through healthily and happy.
I just want to give big hugs and kisses to all of you. It is a beautiful and joyous thing--to embrace new members to one's family.

Jenn said...

Nine hours of a pitocin induced labor without meds, is more than amazing, it is almost unheard of. Induced labors are by far the most intense. What matters now is that your beautiful girl is here and you are all doing well. I have to say, I think she looks like mommy.

Anonymous said...

She is a beautiful baby. She looks like she's gonna deck someone in the first picture!

The boys look so, so sweet with her in their arms, especially Kyle.

Congratulations again!

Holli said...

LOVE THE PICTURES!!!! Your daughter is beautiful and your sons are to cute for words! Congrats and hope she keeps the 4 hours up!!!

Mamato2 said...

Meera is a dream and the way the boys love her is truly incredible. I love her eyes!
And, as far as the stuff you're writing- uh, quit making me cry, k?? :)

glamah16 said...

I'm so happy for all of you.

Jess said...

Hooray hooray hooray. Glad to hear all the good news.

With the twinados, you won't always be able to follow the postpartum advice I got, but here goes: If you're standing, sit, and if you're sitting, lie down.

Very very best to all five of you.

Sunshine Ray said...

Congratulations! She is beautiful!

Nadia said...

what beautiful eyes she has! I can't stop looking at her pictures LOL..congrats again. Praying for a quick recovery Heather!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so very much for the lovely update. It is wonderful to hear that Heather and baby are doing great. The Kyle and Owen are such sweet loving big brothers to their baby sister. All of you look so wonderful and happy. Glad to hear that you all are doing so great. Love and Hugs.

kirbmom said...

Meera has the most beautiful eyes! They are striking. She is amazingly alert for a newborn.

Thanks for sharing all of the photos and updates.

Wendy said...

Meera is beautiful. What terrific photos of her and her family. Her big brothers are sure cute, too! ;-)

Wendy from Flippin' Sweet

Anonymous said...

Use a wipe warmer during diaper changes, there will be a automatic drop in the crying!

insanemommy said...

Hey guys, just had to check in with you. Heather you are amazing. Your family is awesome. I love all the pictures of the boys holding her. They are going to be the best big brothers ever! Can't wait to see and hear more details. I'll email you later. We can catch up then.

I will be thinking about you.

Amanda said...

Meera is gorgeous! Good job, mom! Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

Anonymous said...

We must, simply must have the picture of Kyle holding Meera. Absolutely perfect. Grateful all are well. Good work!

Grandpa Robert and Carol

Chapter Two said...

I love this update, Braydon. It is so wonderful to see beautiful Meera and hear that mommy and all are well.
By the way, Kyle is absolutely gorgeous in the picture above. Your boys are always gorgeous, but something about that one is especially beautiful.
Love & hugs to all!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the beautiful addition to you wonderful family. She is gorgeous and so are her big brothers! Thanks for sharing with all of us!

Tracy
South Dakota

Stephanie said...

Congratulations on your beautiful Meera Grace! Her big brothers looks like naturals. GOD bless.