Thursday, November 15, 2007

Our Lily

On the 23rd of October Matt, Ian, and I went in for my 37-week check up.  After waiting for over an hour they were just going to send me home because the doctor had been called away on an emergency.  So before leaving I asked if they would just listen to the baby's heartbeat.  I had felt kind of funny all day.  I had been having increasingly more contractions over the last couple of days.  Also, I had been having these sneaking feelings that I should be more prepared for the baby to come.  But, since Ian was two weeks overdue, I pretty much ignored my feelings to "get ready now".  Anyway, the baby's heart rate was too high.  So they monitored me in the office for a while.  Then they had another OBGYN take a look at me and listen.  Before I knew it, we were on our way to St. Luke's hospital, just across the street, to be monitored.  They put me on an IV and after a couple of hours the baby's heart rate was fine but I was in labor.  I was having four-minute contractions and not dilating.  


We were not prepared.  Ian was with us and we didn't have anything for going into the hospital.  While Matt took Ian to a friend's house to spend the night, my doctor, who had been monitoring me at the hospital, came in and told me that we'd be having the baby that night.  When Matt had left with Ian we were under the impression that we'd be going home after a little more monitoring.  So I called him on his cel and told him that the plan had changed.  By 7pm I was signing admission papers and being prepped for surgery.  By 8pm I was lying on the operating table soon to meet our new baby.  Lily arrived at 8:09pm healthy, screaming, and pink.  And, she came with a bunch of dark hair.  After they got her cleaned up Matt went with her to the nursery.  I spent the next hour getting sewn up and trying not to go into shock.  I don't know why but I was a lot more freaked out then when I had Ian.  I spent the next few days in the hospital and then got released on Friday the 26th of October.  We are so happy with our new little girl.  We love her so much.  And we are especially happy that she came early so that we could enjoy her sooner.  She is very sweet and mellow.


We have been very blessed to have Matt's mom, Jeanne, with us since Lily was born.  I've had a harder time recovering from Lily's delivery because I kept trying to pick Ian up when I first got home from the hospital.  After hurting myself and seeing my progress grind to a halt I realized I had to take it easier and stop lifting Ian.  So I had to turn it all over to Grandma.  Jeanne became the mother of our home and did a great job taking care of all of us.  I can't thank her enough.  On top of all that, I got the worst breast infection I ever had.  Jeanne had to take care of both the kids and me while I recovered from that.  Having Jeanne with us was really great because she got to spend a lot of special time with Ian.  Ian, of course, has been having a difficult time not being the only child.  He seems to have a genuine affection for Lily, he just doesn't like having our attention divided.  Ian was cheered greatly when his "Papa", Matt's dad, John, came to visit this past weekend.  We didn't really go anywhere because that's when I had my breast infection.  However, John was busy enough while he was here building the most awesome doll house for Lily.


So my mother, Joann, and I want to express our deepest heartfelt gratitude to Jeanne for coming for three weeks to take care of Matt, Ian, Lily, and I.  And I want to express my sincerest gratitude to all our family and friends who have prayed for us, brought us meals, wished us well, and who have called or written to express their love and support.  This means so much to us.  We have loved hearing from you and have greatly enjoyed sharing this happy time with all of you.


Grandma Jeanne went home yesterday so now I am at home figuring out how to shower, eat, and get things done with two kids in tow.  It's a lot fun and I enjoy the new challenges.