...has begun
Of course she rolled about 6 times before I took the video yesterday evening and today she wouldn't roll once!!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Daphne | 3 Months!!
3 Months already? I can't believe Daphne is 3 months!! Time has just flown by. Our newborn has turned into an infant, full of smiles, squeals, laughs, and "words". She is such a happy baby...when she isn't tired of course, or in the car seat. She loves to wake up early from naps and will be cranky until we rock with her so she can drift of again. She also likes to wake up in the night for company/cuddles and gets mad if you don't comply. She only likes the car seat for short periods of time, when she is sleepy. Once she is done, she is done and she lets you know. Poor Evelina tries to have conversations with us and we can barely hear her over the screaming. Very unlike her big sister who used to zonk out within minutes of being in the car and stay asleep for hours!!
Some of Daphne's favorite things this month have been lying under the play gym, listening to us sing, hanging out on her changing table while looking up at her elephant mobile or hanging out in the crib under her projection mobile cooing at the animals floating by. She really enjoys it when we sit her up or help her stand so she can put weight on her feet. We frequently have to change activities or else she gets bored and cranky. She also loves observing her big sister. I can tell she is absorbing all of Evelina's activities so she can one day be just like her!!
My maternity leave will be coming to an end in 2 short weeks...sniff, sniff. I'm lucky to have spent the last 14 weeks with my sweet little Daphne and will certainly miss all of the one of one time I've been able to share with her. I just love her to pieces. She always knows how to make me smile. xo
Monday, January 21, 2013
Chat Session with Daphne
Our days are always filled with Daphne chat sessions. I just can't get enough of this little one. It is amazing to think that Evelina was just the same and now we can actually have a full conversation with her. So cool how language develops.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
I See Me...
Do you? Yes, she does look a lot more like Chris but I see a glimpse of me as well. Maybe I can find her some Wonder Woman Under-roos for her!!
I was probably about 3ish in the lovely Polaroid picture below. Love the wallpaper and trim color. And, why was I standing on a chair? I see a picture on the table, I was probably like Evelina and loved looking at myself on film. Hahahaha.....
I was probably about 3ish in the lovely Polaroid picture below. Love the wallpaper and trim color. And, why was I standing on a chair? I see a picture on the table, I was probably like Evelina and loved looking at myself on film. Hahahaha.....
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Daphne's Birth Story
For weeks before Daphne's arrival, when asked what day she would arrive, Evelina would always say "16". Honestly, we all thought she was crazy. Evelina was 15 days early and we were all certain that Daphne would follow in her impatient sister's footsteps and also arrive well before her due date of 10/18. Hospital bags were packed, plans made with Mimi and neighbors to look after Evelina, school paperwork filled out to allow Mimi to pick-up and drop-off, assignments wrapped up at work, nesting complete. There was no way baby number 2 would catch us off guard the way Evelina did. We were ready!! The only person not ready? You guessed it....Daphne!!
As each day passed, I became more and more anxious for her arrival. When would it happen, would my mom be able to make it to Ashland in time for us to get to the hospital in time, would my water break at home or at work, would labor be quick, would I have to push as long as I did with Evelina, how big was this baby going to be...eek!?!?
By the time my 39 week appointment arrived on 10/12, I agreed with my midwife that it was time for a check. If there was progress, my membranes would be stripped to hopefully bring on labor. I was 3cm and 60% effaced. I must say that having my membranes stripped was one of the most painful experiences of my life. Holy crap, I'm glad I will NEVER have that done again. Unfortunately, other than some minor cramping, it didn't have the effect we had hoped...no baby. I went in for a non-stress test on 10/13 to make sure all was well with the little one in utero and scheduled an induction for 10/16 , in case I didn't go into labor over the coming days (since I had gestational diabetes, they wanted me to deliver by the end of the week). We chose the 16th so that our midwife of choice would be on-call, not because of Evelina's prediction.
The next few days went by slowly, waiting and wondering if I would go into labor on my own. Still, no baby. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30am on Tuesday, 10/16. After getting settled in the antenatal unit I was given a drug, via mouth, to ripen by cervix. I was put on the monitor for the first 2 hours after taking the drug to keep an eye on any contractions I may experience. They were nothing more than some minor cramps here in there. Once off the monitor, for the next 2-hours, we just hung out and walked around to attempt to get labor going. No changes. At around noon time, I was given another dose of the drug in hopes that this time there would be some action. Back on the monitor I went for 2 more hours. Contractions were definitely stronger this time around but still minor in comparison to active labor contractions. Once off the monitor, it was time for another check (ugh). I was 4cm and 80% effaced...that's it? Seriously? I think I wanted to cry at this point. I wanted this to be over with and to finally meet our new daughter. Evelina came so quickly!!
My midwife gave us a couple of options with how to proceed. One option was to go home and labor naturally and then head back to the hospital when contractions were stronger and closer together. We weren't too thrilled about this option since we had already said our good-byes to Evelina and didn't want to confuse her by going home again without her baby sister. I was also worried that once contractions started to become stronger, labor would go quickly. What if we didn't make it to the hospital in time?!? After some discussion, Chris and I decided to head out for dinner and to the mall to walk around, aka kill some time, before going back to the hospital.
Off we went to the Capital Grille. We sat at the bar, something we don't do very often anymore since Evelina arrived, and had a few appetizers, all the while I was experiencing stronger contractions and drooling over Chris's Stoli Doli. After dinner we went to the mall and walked for a little bit. I was getting antsy so we decided to head back to the hospital in hopes that I had made some more progress.
We arrived back at Newton-Wellesley at around 8:00pm. This time, we were admitted to a labor room. We got settled and I changed into a hospital gown in preparation for the big event. It was strange taking our time and "chilling". With Evelina, I was wheeled to the labor room, still in clothes from home, at almost 10cm while wanting to push. At around 8:45pm my midwife decided it was time to break my water to really get things going. Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as getting my membranes stripped days earlier. Thanks GOD. By 8:55p, contractions were really underway and I was officially in active labor. Memories of Evelina's labor flooded back...it all felt pretty much the same.
I was having some back labor so we decided I should labor on the stability ball so my midwife could massage/put pressure on my back. It was tough. I remember looking at the clock at 9:15pm and saying, "If I knew that I would only have to experience pain for another hour, I think I could manage without an epidural." I was on the fence the entire time about having another natural childbirth. It isn't easy and the thought of pushing for 2 1/2 hours again without drugs did not sound appealing to me. Everyone (my midwife, mom, friends who have had a second) said it would be "easier" but I didn't really believe them.
I decided before officially putting in the order for an epidural to labor in a warm bath. Little did I know it would take what felt like 24 hours to fill up!! By the time I had to make my way to the tub, my contractions where incredibly strong. The transition from ball to tub was so difficult...OOOOWEEE...I thought I may not make it. The warm water helped a little bit but after 10 or so minutes, I was getting overheated and the contractions were really uncomfortable. HELLO transition!! At that point, I said I couldn't do it anymore, nor did I want to do it anymore, and to order the epidural.
Now the hard part, getting out of the tub. Holy mother of God was it tough. As soon as I got out, I felt major pressure and the need to push. Chris, my midwife and nurse helped me back to the bed where I thought I would be most comfortable on my side. After a quick check it was confirmed that I was fully dilated!! Yippee!! This was also all happening as my nurse was trying to place an IV in preparation for the epidural that never arrived in time. I asked if I could start pushing and the answer was a resounding "YES".
Pushing was so wonderful I must say. So much better then suffering through transition contractions. I was so much more efficient this time around, a real pro, and baby girl was moving down well. I was holding my right leg with my right arm and gripping Chris with my left hand for leverage while still on my left side. Once Daphne's head started to appear, my midwife announced that she had a full head of dark hair!! WHAT?!? I was shocked and couldn't wait to see. Pushing continued and once I felt her head, I was determined to get her out as soon as possible. The relief I experienced when her head slipped out was the best feeling in the world. As soon as her shoulders and arms appeared, my midwife let me grab my little girl to finish the delivery process and bring her directly to my chest on 10/16 at 10:16pm. All I remember saying was "Thank GOD that is over!!!" I only pushed for 26 minutes...everyone had been right.
I was so incredibly happy to meet our beautiful Daphne Fisher and hold her outside the womb, inspect her fingers and toes, gaze into her dark gray eyes and rub my fingers through her dark hair. She cried for only a short time, her APGAR scores were great and she was so alert checking out her world for the first time. Chris cut the umbilical cord once it stopped pulsating and she was officially free!!
It was such a wonderful birth and went so quickly once my water broke. Despite all of the issues I had while pregnant this time around (bleeding in the first trimester, gestational diabetes, rapid heart rate, lots of swelling ,etc.), I couldn't have asked for a better experience, a better midwife and labor nurse, and a better husband to help bring Daphne into the world. I am truly one lucky mama.
------------------------------
On a side note, my midwife had another patient come in 2 hours after me who took the same drug I did. After 4 hours, she was moved to a labor room and ordered an epidural. I was so insanely jealous, but to our surprise, Daphne ended up being born about 10 minutes before her baby. Soon after Daphne was born, my midwife was paged multiple times because the other mom was crowning and only the nurse was in the room. Yowsa!! It was rather dramatic. The OB/GYN on call had to come and deliver my placenta and stitch me up.
As each day passed, I became more and more anxious for her arrival. When would it happen, would my mom be able to make it to Ashland in time for us to get to the hospital in time, would my water break at home or at work, would labor be quick, would I have to push as long as I did with Evelina, how big was this baby going to be...eek!?!?
By the time my 39 week appointment arrived on 10/12, I agreed with my midwife that it was time for a check. If there was progress, my membranes would be stripped to hopefully bring on labor. I was 3cm and 60% effaced. I must say that having my membranes stripped was one of the most painful experiences of my life. Holy crap, I'm glad I will NEVER have that done again. Unfortunately, other than some minor cramping, it didn't have the effect we had hoped...no baby. I went in for a non-stress test on 10/13 to make sure all was well with the little one in utero and scheduled an induction for 10/16 , in case I didn't go into labor over the coming days (since I had gestational diabetes, they wanted me to deliver by the end of the week). We chose the 16th so that our midwife of choice would be on-call, not because of Evelina's prediction.
The next few days went by slowly, waiting and wondering if I would go into labor on my own. Still, no baby. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30am on Tuesday, 10/16. After getting settled in the antenatal unit I was given a drug, via mouth, to ripen by cervix. I was put on the monitor for the first 2 hours after taking the drug to keep an eye on any contractions I may experience. They were nothing more than some minor cramps here in there. Once off the monitor, for the next 2-hours, we just hung out and walked around to attempt to get labor going. No changes. At around noon time, I was given another dose of the drug in hopes that this time there would be some action. Back on the monitor I went for 2 more hours. Contractions were definitely stronger this time around but still minor in comparison to active labor contractions. Once off the monitor, it was time for another check (ugh). I was 4cm and 80% effaced...that's it? Seriously? I think I wanted to cry at this point. I wanted this to be over with and to finally meet our new daughter. Evelina came so quickly!!
My midwife gave us a couple of options with how to proceed. One option was to go home and labor naturally and then head back to the hospital when contractions were stronger and closer together. We weren't too thrilled about this option since we had already said our good-byes to Evelina and didn't want to confuse her by going home again without her baby sister. I was also worried that once contractions started to become stronger, labor would go quickly. What if we didn't make it to the hospital in time?!? After some discussion, Chris and I decided to head out for dinner and to the mall to walk around, aka kill some time, before going back to the hospital.
Off we went to the Capital Grille. We sat at the bar, something we don't do very often anymore since Evelina arrived, and had a few appetizers, all the while I was experiencing stronger contractions and drooling over Chris's Stoli Doli. After dinner we went to the mall and walked for a little bit. I was getting antsy so we decided to head back to the hospital in hopes that I had made some more progress.
We arrived back at Newton-Wellesley at around 8:00pm. This time, we were admitted to a labor room. We got settled and I changed into a hospital gown in preparation for the big event. It was strange taking our time and "chilling". With Evelina, I was wheeled to the labor room, still in clothes from home, at almost 10cm while wanting to push. At around 8:45pm my midwife decided it was time to break my water to really get things going. Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as getting my membranes stripped days earlier. Thanks GOD. By 8:55p, contractions were really underway and I was officially in active labor. Memories of Evelina's labor flooded back...it all felt pretty much the same.
I was having some back labor so we decided I should labor on the stability ball so my midwife could massage/put pressure on my back. It was tough. I remember looking at the clock at 9:15pm and saying, "If I knew that I would only have to experience pain for another hour, I think I could manage without an epidural." I was on the fence the entire time about having another natural childbirth. It isn't easy and the thought of pushing for 2 1/2 hours again without drugs did not sound appealing to me. Everyone (my midwife, mom, friends who have had a second) said it would be "easier" but I didn't really believe them.
I decided before officially putting in the order for an epidural to labor in a warm bath. Little did I know it would take what felt like 24 hours to fill up!! By the time I had to make my way to the tub, my contractions where incredibly strong. The transition from ball to tub was so difficult...OOOOWEEE...I thought I may not make it. The warm water helped a little bit but after 10 or so minutes, I was getting overheated and the contractions were really uncomfortable. HELLO transition!! At that point, I said I couldn't do it anymore, nor did I want to do it anymore, and to order the epidural.
Now the hard part, getting out of the tub. Holy mother of God was it tough. As soon as I got out, I felt major pressure and the need to push. Chris, my midwife and nurse helped me back to the bed where I thought I would be most comfortable on my side. After a quick check it was confirmed that I was fully dilated!! Yippee!! This was also all happening as my nurse was trying to place an IV in preparation for the epidural that never arrived in time. I asked if I could start pushing and the answer was a resounding "YES".
Pushing was so wonderful I must say. So much better then suffering through transition contractions. I was so much more efficient this time around, a real pro, and baby girl was moving down well. I was holding my right leg with my right arm and gripping Chris with my left hand for leverage while still on my left side. Once Daphne's head started to appear, my midwife announced that she had a full head of dark hair!! WHAT?!? I was shocked and couldn't wait to see. Pushing continued and once I felt her head, I was determined to get her out as soon as possible. The relief I experienced when her head slipped out was the best feeling in the world. As soon as her shoulders and arms appeared, my midwife let me grab my little girl to finish the delivery process and bring her directly to my chest on 10/16 at 10:16pm. All I remember saying was "Thank GOD that is over!!!" I only pushed for 26 minutes...everyone had been right.
I was so incredibly happy to meet our beautiful Daphne Fisher and hold her outside the womb, inspect her fingers and toes, gaze into her dark gray eyes and rub my fingers through her dark hair. She cried for only a short time, her APGAR scores were great and she was so alert checking out her world for the first time. Chris cut the umbilical cord once it stopped pulsating and she was officially free!!
It was such a wonderful birth and went so quickly once my water broke. Despite all of the issues I had while pregnant this time around (bleeding in the first trimester, gestational diabetes, rapid heart rate, lots of swelling ,etc.), I couldn't have asked for a better experience, a better midwife and labor nurse, and a better husband to help bring Daphne into the world. I am truly one lucky mama.
------------------------------
On a side note, my midwife had another patient come in 2 hours after me who took the same drug I did. After 4 hours, she was moved to a labor room and ordered an epidural. I was so insanely jealous, but to our surprise, Daphne ended up being born about 10 minutes before her baby. Soon after Daphne was born, my midwife was paged multiple times because the other mom was crowning and only the nurse was in the room. Yowsa!! It was rather dramatic. The OB/GYN on call had to come and deliver my placenta and stitch me up.
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