HER story...

I was to check in at Texas Presbyterian Hospital Thursday September 19th at 7am, but by 6 am (I had been up since 4) I was contracting and hurting and thought, oh for heaven sake just go in. So I woke Eric up and we were out the door shortly after.

39 weeks and 2 days pregnant!

 LOVE this man. That weird thing on my arms it the blood pressure cuff.

LOVE my sisters. They dropped Isaac off to Jocelyn and came straight to the hospital. They both text me every two seconds to see how I was doing. Im pretty sure they thought I was going to deliver in admitting! They were so worried they were going to miss it!

He always takes such good care of me.

This pic was when the contractions were getting a tad bit painful!

 Around 9:30am I got the epidural. I like to wait awhile before I get it, I guess since I dont' ever ever ever want to go natural, it gives me a sense of what natural is like, and I actually like feeling the them, until it starts to hurt to the point of unbearable pain. I was dialted to a 7 when I got the epidural. 

***

That's when got... tricky. Although I don't remember any of it.

The last thing I remember was saying how tired I felt. Then, lights out. 

This was what my hubby/sisters told me what happened.

"You were dilated to about a 7 when you wanted your epidural. You were having a lot of really intense contractions right on top of each other.  They administered the epidural and about 20 minutes later your left side was totally numb, but you could still feel pain on your right side.  The anesthesiologist came back in and gave you additional medications through the epidural and had you lay on your right side.  It started to kick in and within about 15 minutes, you said you were really tired.  

Your blood pressure dropped in half, heart rate down to 52 and you became non responsive.  Your nurses tried to get you to wake up and answer basic questions (what is your name, , what is your birthday, do you know where you are). They made a call, and within seconds, 4 additional nurses, 2 doctors and an anesthesiologists were in the room.  Jenny, Eric and I were asked to stay out of the way, and they  administered 2 doses of ephedra to try and wake you up. They would ask you questions and you would just mumble something or grunt. They asked you to open your eyes and you couldn't.   We were all terrified. It took about an hour for you to start to come to and about an hour and a half later

they felt you were stable enough to check and see how dilated you were and, and it was go time.  You were completely dilated and effaced." 

Stacie said that after the medical team told them I was stable, Eric practically collapsed in a chair. The night we almost lost Atticus in the ER, his heart rate was 46. So as you can imagine, it brought back a lot of very emotional and intense memories for him in addition to the fear he was loosing me.  

(This is now me "talking")

After 1 1/2 hours I recognized that I was holding Eric's hand.  He asked me to squeeze but I couldn't. He asked me to open my eyes. But I couldn't. I tried. But couldn't. I remember being really confused and bugged about it. Why could I not open my eyes? A little later, he asked me again, and I finally open them. And was in and out for a few seconds or minutes. Really I have no idea.

Then the pain hit. I could feel the contractions on my right side again and I freaked out. Everyone kept telling me that the baby is almost here and that's it's almost time to push, but I just kept panicking and saying, "I can feel it. I dont' want to feel it. I want more epidural." Eric kept telling me that I could do it that I was doing great and even grabbed the baby diaper and said, "Aren't you ready to see your baby girl?" To which I started crying, "I'm too tired. It's hurts. I don't want to feel it."

Eric and my sisters thought I was going to have to have a C-section because I was so out of it and didn't want to push, but after they put a local drug through the epidural, obviously they did not give me more of that... some of the pain wore off and ready or not, it was go time.

The baby was right there and I knew I had to push. Final preparations were made, they got me in "position." Someone asked if I was ready; I looked at Eric with tears in my eyes and said, "No. I'm not ready. I can't do this." Little did they know at the time, that it wasn't the delivery I was talking about. It was my emotional state with the loss of one and the welcoming in of another and I was scared and  did not feel ready.

Dr. Griffith, my OB, whom I just love, said, "You can do sweetie. I bet she'll be here after two pushes. She is right there." So the pushing began. After 2 or 3 pushes, He realized she was posterior. So a quick 2 push delivery ended up being about 40 minutes of pushing my guts out then... that sweet baby cry every expectant mother longs to here. SHE came and she's healthy!

I instantly burst in to tears, looked at my husband  who was also tears then he kissed my forehead. Obviously, I knew my sisters were there, but once Isabel was delivered I only remember looking at my husband. Watching him watch me and the baby. He kept telling me, "You did it sweet heart. You did so good. You did it." I love that man with all my heart. There is a tender side to him that only the kids and I get to see. It's beautiful and sincere with such deep love and concern for us. He truly is the most incredible man. 

This was right after I "woke up."

I guess we should stop expecting normalcy and just expect craziness.

***

Stacie wanted to cut the umbilical cord and since Eric's not a fan, why not right?!

(You can see Stacie's hand... has the watch on)

After a few short minutes, my sweet baby girl was put on my chest. She was wide eyed and bushy tailed. Not a single tear. She just stared at me, like the gates of heaven were still open, and maybe they were, I like to think they were. I held her. Loved on her. Kissed my husband. And knew we were going to be okay. Not easy but we'd be okay. This sweet baby girl was here with a very important purpose and at that moment she had more knowledge than we  ever will.  As I look back now, it's like she was telling me, "It's okay mom, although different locations, we are all here. All 5 of us."

No wonder she was fine doing the whole event. It didn't bother her one bit that my body was acting crazy. Atticus had it under control. I truly believe that.

I love my sisters. They are my very best friends. 

Dr. Griffith

Isabel came out looking a lot like Atticus. Same nose and lips. And Although I couldn't see or feel Atticus, I knew he had to be there and maybe still was. And it is my belief that it was Atticus who kept Isabel safe while my body checked out. He took care of her until I could. He was our guardian angel. 

I found this poem shortly after Atticus was born in 2007 and was reminded of it when Isabel came. With our family's "situation" it has so much more meaning now than it did in 2007.

Day old child... Author: Carol Lynn Pearson

My day old child in my arms
with my lips against his ear
I whispered strongly "How I wish,
I wish that you could hear,

"I've a hundred wonderful things to say
(A tiny cough and nod)
Hurry, hurry, hurry and grow
so I can tell you about God."

My day old baby's mouth was still
and my words only tickled his ear,
but a kind of light passed through his eyes,
and I saw this thought appear,

"How I wish I had a voice and words,
I've a hundred things to say,
Before I forget... I'd tell you of God,
I left Him yesterday."

I can't read that without crying. Isabel not only left Heavenly Father but left Atticus. She already knows all about him. She knows more than we do about him. How I wish I could pick her brain.  

It wasn't the quick and easy delivery we had anticipated. BUT, we made it. She's healthy and happy and I'm pretty darn good too. So here's to the new chapter in our life. And knowing us, it's gonna be a wild ride...

Pictures, Pictures and more pictures:

.. Hospital Pics..

 Meeting Isabel for the first time! He was more interested in talking to the nurse!


He did like that his new baby sister brought him a present!

When asked if he wanted to hold her he said, "No. It's too scary!"

(This was the 2nd time seeing Isabel. He said, "Is this my baby sister?" I love how delicate his hands were!)

Obviously Im a little bow happy with this sweet pea.

.. Pictures at home .. 

..3 days old..

I LOVE this picture!

She wasn't enjoying the days photo shoot!

..4 days old..

 Her first shampoo! And as with all girls, she loved the pampering!

I even got a little post shampoo smile ;)

Her visit with the worlds greatest pediatrician, Dr. Straughn.

Isabel's 4 day old stats... 

She's our little peanut.

Weight: 6 lb 12 oz (31%)

Height: 18.5 in (7%)

Head: 33.8 cm (35%)

.. 5 days old...

 Mrs. Marti sent me this pic. Isaac didn't want to go to school but had a great day.

Park time with the Qualls boys

 Isaac has done GREAT. He sure loves her. We were going up the stairs to get him dressed and he said, "Don't worry Isabel. Big brother will be right back?" He constantly asks, "where's my baby sister?"

She found her thumb! Happened twice that day but not again, although she really really wants to.

Sweet baby and tired mommy.

Such kissy lips!

This is what the first 3 nights at home were like... lots and lots of fussiness and lots and lots of crying. She may have acid reflux. After nursing she stiffens her legs and is super fussy. So after her Pediatrician appt. and learning some new nursing positions, it's getting a little better. But  my goodness those first few days home,  she.. was.. a.. pill. But she's getting it figured out.

..6 days old..

Isn't my husband handsome!

LOVE this picture!

Fresh and clean hair. Again. That's the problem with newborns and hair, you have to wash it all the time cause you can't help but play with it all day!

He LOOOVES his baby sister.

Isaac looks giant!

..7 days old..

Pretty in pink.

 Grandma Becky got here late last night and today is her birthday! Jene was my helper and got flowers and a cake for her! Isaac wanted to sing 'happy birthday' about 15 times!!

 He asks to hold her all day. Even when she gets fussy he still wants to hold her. He'll tell her, "It's okay Isabel, big brother Isaac is here!"

 I love how tender he is with her!

Visitors at the hospital and at home...

Drum Roll please....

Isabel's Bedding. I LOOOVE it!

We sure love this sweet little peanut and are so happy she's here!