She's Here!!

As some of you may know I had high ideals/plans for how my labor and delivery was going to go this pregnancy. I was NOT going to have another c-section if I could do anything about it - I spent a lot of time finding a provider who would let me try to have a VBA2C (vaginal birth after 2 c-sections). Well, things, as they sometimes do, didn't turn out as planned/hoped. I ended up with gestational diabetes again and that ended up changing my plans. I had a hard couple of days/weeks coming to terms with this and although I'm not "happy" with how it all turned out I know that it was for the best and I am at peace with it. I ended up with a repeat c-section on Tuesday, October 5th. So here's the story... and photo's. We are all SO in love with this little girl...

My mom, Eric, and grandma showed up Tuesday morning as my mom was going to be staying with the boys for the time I was in the hospital (and a few more days). We were scheduled to go in at 10:30 but we got a call just before 9:00 asking us if we could come in early. We put everything in overdrive and arrived at the hospital by 9:30 (we're less than 5 minutes away).

Last photo as a family of 4!

Our nurse and the nursing student (we had N at a teaching hospital) got us all set up and explained how everything would go. Janette, our nurse, was so amazing and she definitely went above and beyond in helping me get the most out of the experience. I told her the things we wanted to happen- and she made them happen even though they don't normally do them that way. YAY for amazing nurses!!
The anesthesiologist (the resident version) came in and explained everything and okay's my request for my Ipod during surgery. But not for Ryan being in there while they give me the spinal - boooooo. This is the worst part for me. I have mini panic attacks when it comes time so I told the guy he'd be in charge of my freak out. LOL!

Then we're ready to go in- me, my ipod stocked with soothing Norah Jones/Sarah M/ Jack Johnson type music, and "my army" of staff. So we start the spinal and I get my tunes going. But wait- I didn't update my songs right so it's an older playlist. My workout playlist. So some Blink 182 starts blaring... not exactly calming. Janette was with me the whole time talking my ear off so I didn't have time to focus on them paralyzing me from the anesthesia. She was seriously amazing.

It's finally time to start. I'm laid on the table, tunes blaring and Ryan is standing by my head. It took a reallyreallyreally long time- or felt really long- as there was extra scar tissue they have to cut through. I was just trying to focus on the end result and not the smells. Then, finally, Ryan tells me they are getting her out - and Kanye is yelling in my ear ;). And it all becomes worth it... the fear, the surgery, the recovery - all worth it. Miss N, all 8lbs 11oz 20.5 in of her made it ALL worth it.

Copy and paste link if you'd like to see the "first look":
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b378/apesaz/Firstlook01432.jpg

This is where the first of two things happen that don't normally happen. One of the things I really wanted to happen was to be able to have the baby placed on my chest right after birth. While it wasn't right after birth I was able to get skin-to-skin contact with her pretty dang close. I can't thank Janette enough for making this happen for me. Ryan even got some skin-to-skin time with baby N as well.

Then the second unconventional thing I requested got to happen. At this hospital during after a c-section the baby is whisked to the nursery to be checked. I did NOT want this to happen. Janette was able to get all of the needed people in there so Nora didn't have to leave at all and got all checked out in there. Yes! Fabulous!

They finally finished sewing me up and I went to recovery for a hour and my sister's & niece were able to come in and see us. And I was able to nurse Nora who nurses like a champ!

The rest of the day went downhill quickly but I will spare everyone those details. Let's just say it involved a terrible nurse, nausea, vomiting (after a c-section!!), and other general unpleasantness. I don't remember a lot after the recovery hour period but we had lots of visitors and Cameron and Azer loved getting to finally meet "Baby Nora".