Friday, April 13, 2007

We're finally home or Push It worked, sort of

Yay! We are now a family of 3 (plus one freaked-out cat) living in France! We went in on Friday morning at 8:00, and while things had definitely been progressing, they weren't going fast enough. I was induced and had just about every process done before they gave me the heavy drugs at 9 p.m. The epidural came shortly after that(ahem).

Our little girl, Baby E., (still deciding about whether to go with her real name or nickname) was born at 4:20 a.m. on Saturday morning! She is healthy and very, very cute. She is so cute, in fact, that I want to call up Oprah and tell her that I have found the solution for world peace -- my baby. She is the World's Cutest Blinker. I don't know what it is, but it kills me when she stares at me with her big eyes and blinks. Just put the camera on her, Oprah, and people everywhere will drop their guns and run to make more cute babies. Trust me.

Ella (okay, now you know...so much for keeping it anonymous!) has chubby cheeks and loooooooong fingers and toes. Depending on which side of the family you ask, she either has dark brown/black hair like her dad, light brown hair like her mom, with one vote for a future redhead. I will be thrilled with any of the above; I'm just happy she has hair.

She had her days and nights completely mixed up, and we both have been working on the whole 'feed the baby' thing. Breastfeeding didn't come so naturally for either one of us -- the staff said she is a lazy eater so I have to wake her up and make her eat, which is really, really difficult -- but I don't want to give up and am determined to make it work.

Her first night at home was yesterday and we went to sleep at 1:30 and we didn't wake up until 7:00. That was the easiest night we've had so far, but I worry that I did the wrong thing by letting her sleep that long. Each person at the hospital gave us different advice so in the end we're just trying to do what we think is best. Anyway, by letting her sleep I've had better luck getting her to actually stay awake when she's eating. It works out better for both of us and I hope when we next weigh her we'll see that she's gaining. They kept us an extra day at the hospital to get this sorted but it looks like things are moving forward. My parents are here and have been a huge help, plus my husband has been wonderful. He was an awesome labor coach.

Okay, now for some major cuteness:

Right after birth


Day 2


16 comments:

Katia said...

Too cute! Congratulations!

Now at least you won't have to do any more of that crazy dancing ;) Unless you really want to, of course.

Erica said...

Absolutely the cutest baby!!!!! She is gorgeous and the last photo is especially cute! I cannot wait to have my own little one!
I am so happy that everything went well and that you are back at home with Baby E. and your husband!
And you seem to be doing a great job with this feeding business, good luck!!

angela said...

She really is adorable.
Well done.
Angela

Margie said...

Congratulations to you all! She's beautiful.
So glad to know all went well.
Go with your "mom" instincts, you'll do a great job!

Reb said...

Very cute and congratulations!
If you need some breastfeeding advice, I can now be considered an expert (going on 11 months now).

Pam said...

Hello Ella!
You are indeed the cutest baby in the whole wide world! Keep blinking at Mom. She likes it...and that could really work in your favor in later years. Stay well and happy.
xx Pam

p.s. Congratulations to Mom and Dad!

christina said...

Congratulations! Oh she is just adorable. Look at that little face.

the fabulous adventures of sarah said...

You're right she IS the cutest, most beautiful pettie fille ever!!!
Congratulation my dear PMF, and to Mr. PMF and to the new PMF!!

I am just so thrilled for you all!!!

I'm so glad you are all ok and welcome to the world miss E.!

It seems like just yesterday you and I were off on a tiger hunt and today you're a Mom! Congratulations P.M.F.!!!

Please give my love to your parents!

BIG HUGS from Maine!
-Sarah

Just me said...

Mucho Congrats!!!!!

Ella is a cutie! I especially love that last pic!

Rest, relax, and enjoy your little one. ;o)

Doc said...

Yah! the end! the end!
and forget all that mismatched advice at the hospital--they ahve no idea of what they are talking about. Do what works for you--you know best.

she's absolutely adorable! here's to long nights...

Christopher Stogdill said...

Congrats!

I'm not a big baby fan, so I'll just leave it at congrats......

Glad to hear everything is going well.

PutYourFlareOn said...

Oh my! She is so adorable! We'll have to get our babes together and have a total cute baby fest and call Oprah together! I love her name, too!

Things are hard the first months, don't let anyone tell you different. Email me if you have any questions or just want to gripe to someone who KNOWS and it living it right now.

Follow your instincts... they will always be right.

Again, congrats on such a pretty baby girl!

JChevais said...

Well done!

Listen to Flare and follow your instincts. Try not to google yourself advice becausd there will always be conflicting advice. Just do what works for you unless you really really have no idea.

And gripe. It's ok to gripe and get it out of your system. This is the really hard part. Talk to people. Don't feel guilty about feeling blue. Perfect moms don't exist except in stupid how-to manuals (I never read any of mine).

You'll all be awesome. Believe it.

Riana Lagarde said...

she is ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh my you and your husband are fabulous breeders, LOL!

Lots of luck and happy wishes and blessings!!

Anonymous said...

Congradulations on a very beautiful baby! I love that name.

N said...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Welcome into this world Ella!