mommy's first night out

Jersey Girl

I actually made it out of the house last night. It's the first time in at least 6 months that I've made it to anything that did not involve preschoolers. It was refreshing.
I wore myself out just a little. Kevin implied I "couldn't hang with the young kids" anymore. I think it's highly possible I was one of the youngest people there. Plus, for pre-concert drinks all anyone did was pass around pictures of their kids!

***In case you can't tell from the picture above, the "out" I speak of is Bon Jovi.

What's New?

Pros: I am convinced the little one has more hair. She seems to have more neck control. I kept her awake for an hour this morning. She fits into the pink & gray flowered one piece, toes and all!
Cons: Crusty left eye. White on tongue (thrush or milk??). A couple of red spots on back of head. She's not little anymore!!!! She's almost 2 weeks old! Her clothes fit!!!

Pic of the day 2

Crazy As It Sounds...

• I miss being in the hospital.
• I told Aidan another baby "is not off the table."
• I kind of sort of even miss being pregnant.
• At least once each day I get overwhelmed over how big Harry is...and Ainsley!
• I'm kind of okay not working out yet.

I guess you can blame the hormonal changes. I do! I've gotten a little bit more girly - sappy even! I'm just so in love with my family right now. I don't want anything to change. I am even ok waiting for the weather to change.

As I recall, just over a week ago, I was pretty miserable. But then again, maybe most of the pain and agony was just anxiety over whether Ainsley would be healthy. I don't know if that can cause heartburn, but certainly nausea and headaches!

I know I was even pretty miserable going to the hospital on 2/19. But again...anxiety. Especially after Dr. Anasthesiologist told me a spinal could leave me paralyzed. Thanks for the 20 minute notice doc! The fact that the scheduled C-section process takes a little longer than an emergency C-section didn't help the stress level. Even with oxygen, I was pretty much hyperventilating. And it's possible I said "hit me" 5 or 6 times in demand of nausea meds. My legs still ache from the shots.

It was a bit much for Kevin too, since he got a little light headed, but before that, even with the surgeons discussing internet servers and Miley Cyrus, Ainsley's birth was a beautiful shared moment between Kevin and me (I warned you, I'm sappy!). Plus, this time, I was alert and able enough to hold the little princess while still in the OR.

Once Ainsley was here, and healthy, I was ready to be up and moving. Later, there was some tension on the maternity ward because one of the nurses said I could walk at 9 hours after delivery and the clin tech was sticking to 12. I think they compromised at 10 1/2, and I felt great. It was a little bit hard getting up and down, but really not as bad as being pregnant.

My hospital stay was relatively pleseant, other than meal service being slow. I missed Harry, but he visited daily after school. It was nice to have some down time with Kevin, who stayed with me most of the time, but left to pick Harry up from school and get him tucked in each night. It was also nice to have nurses and doctors checking in regularly, bringing me meds, refilling my water jug...seriously, what's not to like?

So, now I'm home. I'm enjoying teh downtime and my little baby. And yes, Kevin, I am trying to wake her up now and then!

shot of the day

HAPPY 1 WEEK BIRTHDAY AINSLEY!!!!

And thanks so much to all of the warm wishes we've gotten from everyone (especially ones in the form of tasty meals!!!!!)!

Too Soon

Ainsley already lost her umbilical cord! Harry is happy about this because he did not like it. She was only 5 days old when it happened! The doctor's notes said this should happen at 6-12 days old. I wasn't ready! She's too little!!! We still aren't giving her a bath yet though.

***More to follow on getting her here, as soon as I have enough energy!

Daddy's back at work

So I keep sending him pictures!

Tah-dah!

and we're back!

it would seem that we're (and by we I mean I) both just enough out of newborn practice, that we seem to have forgotten many of the childcare insights we'd gained over Harry's early development.

I'm hoping that the proverbial bike-riding simile will kick in shortly.

I'm also a bit miffed with how little success I've been having with getting her to sleep, however that's been offset by how well she's been eating.

I'm sure there will be many more insights to come, but that's about all I can muster right now.

we're home

more to come

She's Here!

Ainsley Mae arrived this afternoon 2/19/08 at 12:31 PM

6 lbs 8.6 oz

Mom & baby are doing great!

Thanks to everyone for the well-wishes and support -- we'll have more info soon!

I'm a nervous wreck!!!

So here we are, watching the clock tick.

We aren't supposed to be at the hospital until 10.

Harry's off at school already... Kim's hanging out wishing she could eat something, and here I am playing on the computer.

Go Figure.

Outwardly, it would appear that everyone here is in a relative sense of calm.

However, everyone else it would seem is, as Pop-pop Oscar so eloquently (and repeatedly) stated, is "A NERVOUS WRECK!?!?!?!"

Ed's going nuts... "You're having a baby!!!" So sayeth the man who said he didn't want another baby, he liked it just fine with just him and Harry.

Meghan hasn't slept... just has to get on the plane to come east.

Grandma is settling in... I think a bit overwhelmed that there isn't more that needs to be done.

The calm before the storm... check back later for more!

2 Days

• Harry says "I'm nervous about my sister coming."
• Took 4-5 increased doses of wrong medication. Luckily, it is most likely safe, but we are all freaked out. Plus, I suffered every single side effect listed for Flexoril.
• Doc has learned recently that you do not have to wait 6 weeks to exercise after a C-section. Workout based on the experienced pain, not a designated timeline.

6 Days.

I'm finalizing my bag packing.

One Week!

I've got Anita's cell phone programmed now just in case the wee one comes early. And Aidan's back from Florida. Off to pack my bag.

Juno.

I went to a movie today! Alone! I didn't really have an issue with being by myself. Attending a mid-week matinee alone just means I have friends of the employed variety. The bigger issue was that I didn't want to be a target for rodents. They lurk everywhere. I went to the megaplex instead of the artsy theatre that I love. Both have rat traps and are surrounded by new construction, but the megaplex seemed less, well, sticky.
I went early and was suprised to not be the first one in the theatre. There were about a dozen people, and only 2 of them were a pair. Also, no rats attacked.
It was strange to be out. I wore actual pants with pockets for the event. I felt like a person again. I think I even had a bounce to my step as I walked to my car after the show.
Good movie, too. Definitely go see it.

No Go

The doctor said no. I've got a week and a half to go.

Necessity

Since it's going to be 65 degrees here today, and the cleaning people are invading the house anyway, I figure it's a good a day as any to try to wear pants (they don't like to stay up these days) and get a pedicure. Normally, I'm a big fan of the pedicure, but I'm just not in the mood. Most likely it is the pants issue (hmmm....maybe warm enough for a skirt today?) but something needs to be done. My nails are curling around my toes! And we won't even discuss the polish covering only the top half!

And in this corner,

weighing in at 7 lbs, 15 ounces, Ainsley McDermott...at only 36 weeks gestation!
Coincidentally, Harry also weighed 7 lbs. 15 ounces...WHEN HE WAS BORN!
I figured with Ainsley being born 4 weeks before Harry, she'd come into the world weighing about 6 pounds. Now I'm hoping she's under ten!
My friend Judy did the ultrasound again today. She confirmed what I have been saying all along: I'm not big enough for this!
All appears to be in order though. Normal feet. All limbs present. Spine looks good. Cheeks look fat! She's in perfect position, but I don't know who she's kidding. There's no way she'd make it out through the usual route.