Well actually Ms. Elyse is 18 days old, but I haven't had the time to update this blog. However, now that we have a small fortune in infant swings we finally found one that she loves! So hence the reason I have time to write today.
Before I completely forget I should tell her birth story so that one day she'll know all the details. I went into labor shortly after my 39 week visit with my doctor. I was on the way home from the appointment when I started having contractions (that was Monday, March 28 at 9am). They came all day regularly but spaced out probably every 15 to 30 minutes until 6pm that evening. That's when they kicked in and started coming like clockwork every 7-10 minutes. They weren't getting more painful, but you could set your watch by them. Every practice has their criteria of when you can head to the hospital and mine wanted you to call when they were coming by the 5-1-1 rule (every 5 minutes, lasting a minute for an hour). Well I was there except for the 5 minute rule. So I made it through Monday night and Tuesday was the same story. I was pretty exhausted, because I didn't sleep the night before. Every time one would hit I would wake up. I called the nurses line a couple times on Tuesday to tell them what was going on and I kept getting the same nurse who said I couldn't come to the hospital until they were coming every 5 minutes. So I somehow managed to make it to Tuesday evening and by that time they were so painful it took my breathe away. I called the nurses line again and thankfully got the nurse practitioner on the phone. I told her how I had been in labor for almost 36 hours and how the contractions were getting stronger but not closer together to get me to the 5 minute rule. She preceded to tell me their policy is actually if the contractions are coming anywhere from 5-8 minutes apart that I could head to the hospital. I burst into tears mainly from exhaustion. I seriously could have killed the other nurse and we might have words if I see her again at my doctor's office. That means I suffered through about 24 hours of labor that I didn't really have to endure. So we headed to the hospital on Tuesday night around 9pm. I was already dilated to 3cm and fully effaced so they admitted me. Luckily it wasn't super busy that night and I was able to get an epidural within a couple hours or less. Once I had that going I was finally able to relax. Guess that's all my body needed because within a couple more hours I was dilated to 10cm and ready to push. Elyse joined the world on Wednesday, March 30 at 5:36am weighing 7lb 7oz and measuring 20.75 inches long. Looking back I don't see how I survived. I missed two full nights of sleep and was so weak by the time I needed to push, but somehow we made it!
So Elyse is now 18 days old and she's just such a sweet baby. We've had very few really hard days and she's not one to scream and cry ever (knock on wood). Lack of sleep has been pretty tough since she likes to eat every 2 hours. Proof of her love of food that is that she had already regained her birth weight by our discharge appt at the pediatrician last week and then for her two week check-up this past Wednesday she had gained a full pound in 10 days. Today was also a day of firsts - we had our first tub bath since her umbilical cord fell off a week ago and we have finally found a swing that she loves!! She also loves our nightly walks with Luna. She rarely fusses and we found out last night she really likes it when you jog. She was having a mini meltdown about a mile from home so my mom and I took off jogging. She loved it!
On to the pictures with some of me from my glory days thrown into the mix for all the people questioning Elyse's dark hair.
Elyse - Just joining the world!
Me and baby girl shortly after birth
First Family Photo
One of Elyse's first meals
(ok I know this is probably weird I posted this picture, but whatever you can't see anything)
Elyse - 2 weeks old (we were headed to the doctor)
Robin and Elyse sleeping
Me at 10 days old (all my dark hair fell out by 3 months)
Me and My Dad
Me and My Mom
My Family (this one is kind of random but it just makes me smile)
People tell you that you will never know true love until you've had a child. It's true. I couldn't imagine loving anyone more than I love this little girl. I spend all my time and energy making sure she is content and worrying when she isn't. I doubt that will ever change so it's going to be a long 50+ years.
