We're Home

Are there really words for this photo?

There is some kind of magic happening right now. Everyone in my house is sleeping except me. This is a special kind of silence. I had no idea it would be so much more meaningful.

We all got back together as a family yesterday morning. It felt good to be a group again.

So do you want to hear the story? Edie's story? I'll try to edit anything too graphic.

We got the call Thursday morning from the hospital to come in for our inducement. After dropping Lucy off at Lucretia's house, we headed to Swedish Hospital. We checked in at 12:45 and soon got hooked up to Pitocin. We settled in and chatted with our nurse and my doctor for quite a while waiting for things to get going. It was a pretty smooth process. However, when my doctor, Dr. Okorn, broke my bag of water, it was like it resealed itself again inhibiting Edie from moving down into my pelvis. we waited a couple more hours but she still hadn't moved down even though the rest of my body was ready.

At this point, the contractions were at the point where I was not enjoying them anymore (ha) so I asked for the epidural. What a completely different experience from last time. You can look up Lucy's story in July of 06 for that description. This time, I was not trembling violently and moaning strange sounds while grasping Rodney's shirt with white knuckles. Anyway...once the epidural was working beautifully, Dr. Okorn was able to do another exam and ended up breaking the bag two more times at which point, it finally released the various bubbles and we were on our way. Within two hours, Edie moved down into position and we just let my body do the work. After a couple practice pushes, we called in Dr. Okorn and we were on our way. Two sets of pushes later and Edie Grace was born.

Now...I realize that many women, or maybe most have to do a lot more pushing than I had to do. Just so you know, I am VERY aware at how lucky I am. I was tired from the day and the few pushes I did do. I know that this is a blessing.

Edie had pooped in the bag of waters so the nurses took her to get cleaned up and suctioned right after birth so they could try to keep the gunk out of her lungs. She let out a great cry instantly upon breathing air which was different from Lucy who was completely quiet.

Then she was placed on the scale. And wow...a whopping 10lbs, 2.3 oz. and 19 3/4 inches of length. She was delivered two days early. Lucy was 10 days late and weighed in at 10lbs, 11oz. So I can't imagine Edie's size if she was as late as Lucy.

Just the girls.

I have to say that I was overwhelmed when I finally got to hold her. And it was so different from when Lucy was placed on my chest. It was like this long road of stress, anxiety, and work had finally shown its fruit. And she was beautiful and perfect. I realized that during this pregnancy, I was so focused on doing whatever I could to stay sane and grateful while my world was determined by everyone else, that I didn't spend much time trying to connect with the little one inside me. After seeing her, I felt this overwhelming sensation of putting that time to rest and it being safe to really open up to her and experience her. It felt really good.

Edie and I stayed at the hospital until Saturday morning since she was born so late on Thursday night. So we took full advantage of the team of nurses, the room service menu and our little city view out our window. Rodney went home Thursday night around 2am to try to sleep and be able to pick Lucy up early in the morning. He didn't sleep because he was the only one at home and all his girls were spread around the city. However, he rallied and got Lucy to the hospital early Friday morning and we spent a couple hours just hanging together.

We are learning to make sure Lucy is not forgotten in all this. I got great advice from a friend to not make Lucy show off Edie and to remember that most people are going to respond to Edie first now and Lucy will get much less attention in public. We're trying to be very conscious during visits that Lucy is engaged first and is getting welcomed first before we show off Edie. Lucy woke up this morning kind of sad, (this is not abnormal) but when I walked in hesitantly with Edie in my arms, she broke out into a smile and reached for her saying, "Hi Fweetie". (that means "sweetie")

Daddy and Edie's first nap of many.

We are doing really well and finding our routines. It's mostly Rodney and I figuring out who is going to do which task when and with what kid. But we're making it happen. And Murphy seems to be ok with it all. He's at least still hanging in the room with us at this point.

I know I've said this before but I have to say it again. There are A LOT of people involved in the act of getting this new one out safe and sound and fully developed. We are deeply grateful for everyone's thoughts, prayers, visits, check ins, food, babysitting, listening ear and understanding over these past few months. We understand the meaning of the village and feel like Edie and Lucy are very blessed little girls to have such a fabulous community around them.

Taking on the rock wall today at the park. Edie cooperated and stayed asleep. We had to tie the dress up so this could work but that's ok. We can only follow fashion so far.