Day Zero - The Birth

She's here!

After expecting an early baby (folk wisdom says that by the 3rd baby, they're just shootin' out of there, right?), and going exactly 5 days past the due date, our sweet little girl came on September 11th, 2016.

I will go easy on the birth story-- That story is Jen's to tell--, but I'll fill you in on some details.

At about 3:45 AM, Jen woke me up and told me it was time to go to the birth center. By baby #3, I figure she knows exactly when it's time, so I didn't argue, just packed up the few things on our list and got ready to go. I woke up Edgar and Sabrina and they were super excited.

At the birth center, I helped a barely-walking Jen upstairs to the birth center, with Edgar and Sabrina buzzing about excitedly. Soon came Auntie Dani, who, with my parents, would be caring for Edgar and Sabrina in the interim, and with some tearful goodbyes, things got a lot quieter.

Labor was tough. This was Jen's most difficult and painful labor by far. All three of our children have been waterbirths, born at Andaluz birth center in Tualatin, about 45 minutes away from home (less, if it's the middle of the night and you're speeding!) Jen made it through, and thanks to the expertise of skilled midwives, what could have been a crisis birth ended up natural and good. A mite painful for Jen, but good. This would definitely have been a C-section in a hospital, but Jen made it through naturally and with a minimum of damage to mom or baby.

So, baby is a girl (name is forthcoming). Born at 10:11 AM on 9/11/2016. 9lb, 11 oz. 22 inches long. She's got ten fingers and toes,and is super big and chubby. When they measured her, they said her chest is 1 inch bigger around than her head, hence the difficulty in delivery.

After birth and some bonding time in the birthing tub, I took baby while the midwives saw to Jen and made sure she was clean and comfortable.

beards over babies!

The rest of the day was spent recovering, texting, calling, and entertaining family. My mom and dad brought Edgar and Sabrina by for about an hour and a half. Immediately upon seeing the baby, Edgar wanted to see her eyes to see what color they are. Edgar is a natural big brother. Sabrina thinks she's cute, but doesn't have the caring thing that her brother has.

We had two big meals from restaurants (love the Andaluz hookup!), and now get to settle down in our hotel-like room.

She's a cute, mellow baby who is surprised by the sound of her own voice. She loves snuggles, and calms down immediately when she's held. She has only cried a few times when she has a poopy diaper.

Day 25-- Lullabies and Pain

Jen's parents flew home early this morning. We're still reeling amid the detritus of 5 whirlwind days with them. And once we recover, they're coming again in March. Glad we love them so much.

The ski trip yesterday left me not sore but exhausted -- ready to drop, all day long.

We packed up this morning for another baby appointment in Tualatin. We were told what we expected to be told, but it's still a bit frustrating. Mama and baby are the picture of health. They are doing everything right. Nursing hurts because, for Jen, nursing hurts. This is the best we can hope for.

Jen says it better than me here on her blog. I encourage you to read that, because it's sweet and makes me cry a little, too.

We spent the afternoon at my parents, where we all had a long nap. I fell asleep first, and I was so deeply asleep that I have no idea how long Edgar yelled at me (in a small, reverberant room) until I woke up, got him a bottle, and left him alone in the room to cry and fall asleep while I slept elsewhere.

We had planned on taking a niece and a nephew ice skating this afternoon, but apparently we didn't do the planning all that well. So, it was an extra-long nap instead, and I woke up wishing it could be longer.

Played some pinochle with the folks while Edgar slathered his own deck of cards all around the table. We didn't get a full game in before Sabrina insisted on mommy's full attention.

Then, a long car ride back home to rest and recover.