Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Big Eyes for Daddy

I snuck a picture of Zachary in here, because I couldn't get over the similarity between the two pictures. You can tell this is a Daddy who is happy to finally meet and hold his babies. I love that they are both so wide eyed and alert for him!
 
 
 
 
 
I could blame the postpartum hormones, but really, this is just the sweetest thing ever, and I can't deny my heart melts looking at these. Paul is such an adoring and wonderful daddy (and husband!) Zachary, Elara and I are so lucky to have him in our family! I especially appreciated his support throughout the whole delivery process. While I was in the hospital, he held my hand, helped me in and out of bed, held the garbage can for me when I was sick, and changed lots of tiny baby diapers! Love you Big Daddy Paul!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Elara's Version of Events

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At pretty much every ultrasound since you could make out actual baby features Elara had been breech. Her head had been permanently lodged in my rib cage, which means she was also sitting on my bladder for much of the pregnancy! We elected to attempt an external cephalic version to try and get her flipped over into a head down position. We went into the hospital at 8am on July 19th, and after a shot of terbutaline to relax the uterus, I gritted my teeth and the doctor tried to coax Elara out of her comfy spot in my ribs. It was ridiculously uncomfortable, and it was just about all I could do to remember to keep breathing. Paul held my hand, my mom told me I was doing great, and Elara held her ground. The doctor could get her to move from one side of my ribs to the other, but just couldn't get her bum disengaged from my pelvis. 

This left us with one option, a c-section. We just didn't know when that c-section would be, depending on my lab results, the doctor could take us down to surgery right then, or we could be looking at waiting another week. My 9 weeks of bed rest for pre-eclampsia had managed to keep my blood pressure and protein levels down to only borderline high levels, and the OBs are always very cautious about taking a baby out before 39 weeks (we were at 38+1 weeks). My doctor came back in, and let us know my newest pre-e symptom had popped up, and since liver enzymes were starting to climb, we were going to have a baby.

We snuck in a last minute belly shot, and Paul suited up to join me in the operating room. (Thanks to my mom for taking the great shot of him in his scrubs!) I think waiting for the OR to be set up was one of the longest waits of my life. I had to get a dose of antibiotics, and then they put in the catheter--possibly my least favorite part of the pre-op! They finally gave us the go-ahead, and I walked down to the operating room. 

I climbed up onto the operating table, and the anesthesiologist had to make 2 attempts at getting my spinal in before it finally worked. I numbed up quickly, and they blocked my view of the action with a big blue sheet. After a few minutes of poking and prodding to make sure I was ready, they brought Paul into the room. I was surprised by how much tugging and pulling I could feel. Nothing hurt, but there was definitely pressure and movement. After a few minutes, they told Paul to look over the blue sheet, because they were ready to pull her out. You can see in the pictures above (if you know what you're looking at), she came out bum first! You can even see her little hand coming out! 

E took a big gulp of amniotic fluid on her way out, and the NICU nurse, who also happened to be married to Paul's boss, had to work on her for quite awhile. They had to suction out some fluid, and put her on a little bit of oxygen until her stats came up. I was able to see what was happening, and spent the whole time trying not to bawl. I just couldn't believe she was finally here. I wanted to cut the cord with Zachary, but it was Paul's turn with our little girl. They weighed and measured her, and then they finally brought her over to me for a closer look. It wasn't exactly the birth we had hoped for, but I was so happy to finally meet her, that I couldn't have cared less!

Elara Lily Corriveau 
7 pounds 2 ounces (exactly the same weight as her big brother!)
18 inches
July 19th 2012, 12:49 pm

Welcome to the world Elara, this is just the beginning!!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Fort Zachary

 
 
 
 
 
 
Big Daddy Paul snagged this awesome deal off the forums at work. He told Zachary that he had big surprise for him, and he was definitely surprised. Z of course loves the slide, and likes sending his toys for a ride down the slide, and he loves climbing into his little room underneath. Thanks Daddy!!

Choke Hold

 
 
 
 
 
 
Oh Auntie Kitty. I don't know what we are going to do without you here. "III waaant myyy Auntie Kitty..." "I try for you!" (which is Zachary for I cry for you). It wasn't an easy summer, but it was so much more fun with you here. I've said it before, but it bears repeating: We couldn't have done it without you. 

Thanks for everything my love! Please come visit us again soon, I promise I'll be a much better host when I'm off bed rest, and recovered from my c-section! I'll even be able to get in the hot tub with you. =)

Besides, I have a roundhouse kick that says you come back. 

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Pool Party at Jimmy and Sally's

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I'm so glad I don't have to sit out anymore of these parties, because everyone looks like they are having so much fun! Zachary keeps asking to go back to Sally's house for another pool party. I think it's equal parts awesome company, a swimming pool, and the fact that Sally sent home with a giant bag full of toys! You already let him play in your pool, you don't have to spoil him any more than that! (Thanks Sally!)

Weighty Topics

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Looks like Auntie Kitty and Big Daddy Paul have been hanging around with Z too much. Now they are giving eachother piggy back rides, and playing knock you over! Z at least gets to enjoy laughing at their antics, and tickling Auntie Kitty while she's immobile.