Day 2 -- The Calm and the Storm

Day 2:

Thanks to decent medical coverage, we were allowed two days at the birth center to recover from the birth. Quite honestly, I don't see how people can have a baby any other way. It was like spending two nights at a posh bed and breakfast with great room service, getting to know the little one. We got takeout meals from some of the nicest restaurants in town, again, all paid for by insurance, while we got to snuggle, talk to, and nap with Sabrina. Oh-- and they occasionally check mom and baby's vital signs and do all the important medical stuff, but they're so unobtrusive about doing it, you really don't notice (or remember) that they have a medical chart and procedures, etcetera.

Since ALL the visitors came yesterday, today was about relaxing. Jen got a massage and I got to nap in the rocking chair with the girl. All was calm and quiet until about 4 PM, when Edgar came charging in.

My sweet parents had Edgar for the last two nights, and I can't thank them enough. I can't imagine what it was like. Edgar was crazy.

This boy couldn't stop moving, couldn't decide whether he loved or hated his sister, couldn't obey or do any of the things that we're used to him doing. For example, later this evening, he looked at Sabrina and said "Whack a baby!". Then, said it again, as if asking for permission. When Jen patiently explained that we are nice to baby sister and don't want to hurt her, he replied with, "Hit baby?"... as if semantics could somehow allow him to hit his sister... grr.

I took Edgar to the store for an errand and to give Jen some peace for her last check-up. That culminated in Edgar laying down on the floor, screaming, and blocking the diaper aisle on an afternoon when everyone and their mother was at Fred Meyer, and most of them angry.

The girl was sweet-- I remember being so paranoid about putting Edgar in the car and driving the 45 minutes home-- talking only in whispers--what if he wakes up? What if he WAKES UP? What'll we do? What'll we do?... we never answered that question-- he slept.  At least we're calmer parents now. We just strapped baby girl in, she cried for a bit, then settled down, but pretty much no problem. Slept right through having the car stereo on, her parents having a conversation, and her big brother screaming, singing, and yelling the whole way home.

Home. More wrestling Edgar. Then, bedtime. now: peace. Time to get all those photos uploaded I promised.



Here's the story so far in photos:

 Labor is hard work.

A well-attended birth. That's our niece Greta and our midwife Tracy.

Fresh out of the water. We didn't get a cool under-the-water picture like we did with Edgar. 

Just out of the tub. Daddy time while Mommy is attended to. 

That's seven pounds, nine ounces.

A happy and tired family immediately after the birth.

Introducing Sabrina

Edgar's first visit. Can you see the crazy in his eyes?



Edgar discovering his baby sister. Hope this turned out okay.

  

Our new family.

Can we call her Gonzo?

This morning. Lazy and calm.

A bit petulant.

An exhausted and crazy family ready to head home.

Ready to go!