So I wanted to keep a diary of the first few days - as too soon time flys by and you've forgotten most of everything - I wanted to write it all down - I had a journal with me at the hospital to write write write - however all I did was nurse nurse nurse - so a blogger diary will have to do. I may have gone into too much detail - but thats the story of my life!
Being a mum the second time around has been so wonderful! Brad and I knew how we wanted everything to go, and although pretty much everyone didn't get it - we did it our way anyway. It has been so peaceful since the birth of Maggie Grace, the controlled c-section went perfect, and Brad was allowed to take photos although forgot the camera around his neck as she was being pulled out of me :) I went to recovery for the longest time, however the staff were so caring and brought Maggie Grace to me fairly quickly so she could feed and Brad and I could see each other again. I had the shakes from the spinal pretty bad, however they were relieved with medication. I was also shaking like a leaf going into the surgery, anxious about how everything would go compared to Jackson's emergency c-section. Thankfully the staff at Willow Creek were beyond wonderful to me and helped me through the anxiety. When she came out she had the nicest cry I've ever heard - it sounded girly and soft - not near as loud as Jackson had been. She cried before her body was out! The neonatologist cleared her from Pulmonary Hypertension, which was our biggest concern during the pregnancy, and with that I cried. Then I cried again after she and Brad had gone to the Nursery - I really had a healthy baby girl - she's alive and strong and she's ours.
After the recovery room I went to a lovely private room and by 8 pm that evening was up and about. I had a great new local anesthetic delivery system that kept the incision site numb, so the only pain I had was terrible uterine contractions when nursing - and referred pain in my side and neck which thankfully were all relieved with some great drugs that didn't make me feel too loopy. well loopy but not out of it. Earlier in the evening on that first day Brad collected Jackson to visit with his baby sister and me - it was so wonderful to have that special time with just our family. Quiet and happy time was spent just being together. Jackson was so smitten with Maggie, he would rub his mouth over her head and gently kiss her - not saying much but rather just breathing her in and connecting with her. Brad did Maggie's first bath, although she was so covered in that white goop that the nursery staff had to help him out a bit as he was being too gentle - the nursery staff are apparently not gentle say's Brad.
The second day saw the morning just with Brad and I doting on Maggie - then Brad was off to run some errands (coffee was required) it had been a long night with Maggie feeding on demand up to every half hour - she had one long 4 hour sleep - then cluster fed again the rest of the night. Around mid- day we had my mum and Brad's mum come in to have a quiet visit, followed by Brads dad and Vicki -we were so happy to be able to offer them quality one on one time with our new daughter. We also hope they all enjoyed this special time together as much as we did, and can now see why it was so important for us to have this quiet time with our daughter on her birth.
By day 3 we were ready to go home and I had the nicest time in the morning with Maggie just sleeping together and nursing her in the quiet dark of the room while Brad again had more errands/coffee to tend too. Other highlights of my hospital stay were the great phone calls that kept me smiling through the tiredness - thanks Angie! who reasurred me that even though our baby girls come out looking like their dads - they get prettier as the first few days go by! So true!
We were home by 12:30 noon greeted by a jumping Jackson who was eager to show me all the nice things he and his Nee Nee and lollie had done while I was gone -
#1: scare crows and fall flowers decorating the entire front of our house! Thanks guys! It is so festive and fun!
#2 baked "lots of many halloween cookies!!! "
#3 had way too much fun and way too few naps - and grew up a whole year I swear (o.k so this is my take on what happened)
I walked into our bedroom filled with white roses and pink flowers and a scented candle lit - thanks to my wonderful husband who I had just griped at for not taking close enough photos - somehow he still manages to surprise me with his caring nature and love for me - I am very lucky to have him in my life and wouldn't be where I am today if not for his devotion, love and faith in our life we have built together.
I soon made Brad take 30 minutes out for himself, after all the running around he had done and lack of sleep he was needing a time out - so I visited with our mums until Maggie needed nursing yet again (still frantically feeding to bring in my milk). Then before I knew it Joy decided to head back to Harrison, and the next lot of visitors arrived - our friends came loaded with gifts and flowers and plenty of smiles and praise for our new addition - thanks to Pat and Liz and George and Jen for your generosity and love! (Oh and the cigars!) More wonderful gifts came for Maggie throughout the day - Aunty Sharon was a HIT with Jackson getting Dieago bouncy balls which have not stopped bouncing since they came out the package! seriously - those balls have been everywhere! Maggie's comming home outfit was so precious and soft - from her Nee Nee.
My sister in law Sharon and the kids arrived followed by Bob and Vicki - I took Sharon aside to have a quiet cuddle with Maggie as I also wanted her to feel that special connection to a new baby that we had let others have, of course Maggie needed to nurse as soon as we sat down so Sharon had to settle for just looking at her while I nursed. Again my little angle was still feeding like a crazy lady!
So on the day you get home from birthing at the hospital you are also supposed to host your entire extended family for late lunch, hmmmmm - I don't think soooooo! Sorry guys but people were out of luck at this Harris house! Thankfully Sharon and Matt thoughtfully saved the day and soon pizza was on its way to feed the masses. Thanks guys! Mum of course had prepared a lovely afternoon tea - Almond bread. I can recall her making this for every significant occasion as I grew up - and i love it as much now as i did back when I was young. Delicious! Dad and Pearl you missed out!
The evening saw us relax and unwind to Sat night football - well actually I was pretty much out for the count as the constant nursing and lack of sleep the night before all caught up with me at once! I wouldn't change the past few days for anything - the love and support of family and friends and precious moments spent with our new baby have been highlights that will stay with me forever.
Christal
Busy Busy Busy - Feed the baby, feed the baby, feed the baby - that's my take - the rest of my family has actually been doing things - like birthday parties and tailgating - Jackson want;s to go to Makena's birthday everyday and wants to go to Donna's gymnastics every day too - Mum has been taking care of the house, feeding all of us and taking great walks with Jackson which he has come to love. They find new and strange things every day. Although my friend Jen came round on Sunday and took me to lunch which was my first outing since the birth and it was wonderful!
I went on a walk with my babies - trying to stay sane and loose some belly.
She found her thumb!!!! Yeah!
notice the booties! A tailgating present from Aunty Donna - LOVE these and the outfit!
A caring big brother - he is still very attentive and it really suprises me how amazing he is with Maggie - just the sound of his voice sooths her, and today he wanted her to lay in his bed with him for some quiet time before his nap - I sat in the chair and watched him wispering to her - very lovely moments.
Mum and Jackson found a donkey on their walk today!
Maggie is gaining well and enjoying more awake time with us.
