ONE MONTH OLD!

Okay, so it has been a long time (again) since I updated this, so here it is in a nutshell.....you are here!

I went into the hospital on the night of Monday, November 8, 2010 at 6:15 pm to be induced. Dr. Courage induced me at 7:20 pm on that night, and by 7:40 pm on that same night the contractions were coming so strong and so fast, I thought that I was going to die! At 11 pm Dr. Courage finally gave me Nu Vein (pain meds) to help me get through the worst of the pain and at midnight (or around there) I was told that I could have an epidural. Lo and behold, when the tech was putting in the epidural, whoops, there went my water! I pushed for approx. one hour (strong pushes) and nothing. You were stuck! So, we ended up using the vacuum and at 4:14 am on November 9, 2010 you came into this world, quietly. You looked right at me and I fell in love. But, I did not get to hold you, and I didn't know why!

It turns out that you had your hand up by your face and when you came into this world, well, you did a number on mommy and they had to stitch me back together and stop the bleeding or we were going to be in trouble. 200 + stitches later, and I got to hold you and it finally hit....I had a daughter!

Even knowing that I have a daughter, there are some days that I look at you sleeping so peacfully, or nursing you, that I can't believe that you are mine. Sitting in the hospital, with nurses, doctors, friends and families coming and going and cuddling with you and you sleeping so peacefully, it is hard to imagine what we are in for. And even when we get home those first few days, you are still so sleepy and content just being fed and going back to sleep. Then, you decide that you want to stay awake, see people, enjoy interacting with me and daddy, and fight sleep to no end. And I wouldn't change it for a minute!

Right now, you are 4 weeks old and growing by leaps and bounds. You weigh approx. 10.2 pounds and are growing so long that you are out of newborn clothing, and some of your 0-3 month clothing does not fit anymore as well! But the pants don't stay on as you do not have a waist yet to talk of. You are nursing, and occasionally bottle fed, very well. You don't like baths, unless they are with mommy and you are holding up your head on your own all the time. You love to ride in the car, unless you are hungry and then nothing can calm you down until you get food.

Your sleeping patterns are backwards, as are most babies when they are little. You sleep very well during the day, with a few hours of wide awake times where you play with your jungle gym or talk to mommy, but at night we struggle. You want to stay awake, which is okay with me. If only you were happy! But you are not the most aggreable baby at 2 am, and then you get tired and fight with me for hours to go back to sleep. When you do fall asleep, you are OUT for hours (usually 3-4) but getting you to that point is interesting almost every night! Hopefully you outgrow this.

Now, as I get ready to go back to work in one week, my heart is tearing as I don't want to leave you and trust someone else to watch you. I don't want to miss one minute of your life. But I thank God every day for the miracle of you and I love you to no end.

Oh, there you are....waking up. That is my cue to go.