In the late 2000s I kept a personal mom blog called Nest Bliss. I reviewed books, wrote about the house and the girls, and was even in the Wall Street Journal. These posts are from then: light, young, a mom in her late twenties. I have edited them to stand on their own.
Introducing Lilly Emma All 7lbs 14 oz of her at 19.5 inches long
Birth Story I was having irregular contractions when I checked into the hospital for induction at 9am a few days after my due date. I was also dilated to a 4. Given that I had been dilated at some stage for over 3.5 weeks that wasn't all that surprising. I don't know all the particulars of why but I had this same situation with Ava where I just sort of stalled and couldn't keep anything consistent going to deliver on my own. I was given Pitocin and I went to about a 6 over the course of the morning. I didn't feel any different and the nurse mentioned to me that if "I wasn't in pain maybe I didn't need the epidural" ... umm ... what?!? Yeah, about five minutes after that I requested it ;) So apparently the Anesthesiologist that gave it didn't administer enough for my height and by the time the nurse got another Anesthesiologist called I was having Lilly. So, yes that is right, I had some version of natural child birth! In 20 minutes I went from a 7 to holding my baby. My Doctor ran in just as I was grabbing the side of the bed thinking how "TV labor" I must have started looking. I didn't realize that Lilly was crowning but the nurse must have because I heard my Doctor ask her if he could pee (yes really) and she said "not if you want to deliver this baby." Then about 4 minutes and three pushes later I was holding an almost 8lb little girl. Amazing. Just as amazing as the first time.Maybe even more so because I was more awake and I did have a bit of a rush coming off of that insane sensation. Lilly looks a bit chubbier in the cheeks than Ava but not 1lb 5oz heavier - I guess that isn't that much in the big scheme of things but I was surprised because I was so much smaller this pregnancy. Lilly came so fast that I had some tearing because there wasn't time to prevent it or do a small episiotomy. Thankfully the epidural did kick in by the stitching! So there has been a little more difficulty this time along with the typical difficulties caused by expelling a human. I always wish after labor you didn't have so much pain because it can be a little distracting from enjoying your baby. Lilly is the best baby ever created she never cries, she eats one time at night, and sleeps 22 hours a day...right! She might awaken from this perfection but she has given me a wonderful week and I am so grateful for that. I look forward to her tiny meows in the night right before it is time to eat. (Like I said no crying, even for food.) And most of the day I just hold her while she is sleeping trying to soak it all in. I don't think so far anyone feels displaced or jealous and I am really lucky that I have a little routine worked out where it will be several weeks before I will be taking care of both of them at the same time alone.
Here is me being really silly - this is for my friend Michelle - I love pictures like this of women in labor ;) I think the sunlight adds dramatic effect. I also like how clinical the room looks but how 'home birth' I am looking...
As in can someone bring him some beer and turn some football on please!
More labor - ya know before the crazy part.
And after the crazy part - me and Lilly. Can I just say my baby girls are born cute!
The whole family. Apparently Ava totally did get that I was having a real baby and she ran in just like she had been expecting Lilly all along! So proud!
This is still the face she makes when holding Lilly 6 days later.
And it makes me make silly photo faces. Life is pretty great.
Is there a medicine for slowing growth? Everyday I feel a little nervous about how fast it is all going to end.
My 27 month old is going on 16! So, dearest Lilly can I drag this whole baby thing out as long as possible?
Thanks. Mom