I'm back! When Emily first arrived, I purposefully limited my time online. It would have been too easy to get sucked in and spent time online when I should have been sleeping. Once we kind of settled into a routine and I was ready to get back online, we were having internet problems at home. Remember - I've got a 9 keypad phone, so using my phone to get online is impossible. Finally, we are back up and running, so while Emily takes her nap, I'm going to try to post as much as I can. And I'll be backdating to when I wanted these to get up.
I've got one more week of maternity leave, and I've been loving every minute I've been at home. In some ways, I'm looking forward to getting back to work and that routine, but there are times that I just want to stay home and snuggle up all day with our precious little Emily.
Pictures and more info coming soon!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Melissa and Emily
When we first brought Emily home from the hospital, Melissa wanted to hold her All. The. Time.
These were all taken in the span of a week. And there are others that I didn't even include! Even though it may only last a few minutes and then Melissa is done and ready to hop and play and do something else, Eric and I love that she can't get enough of her baby sister.
These were all taken in the span of a week. And there are others that I didn't even include! Even though it may only last a few minutes and then Melissa is done and ready to hop and play and do something else, Eric and I love that she can't get enough of her baby sister.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Emily at 3 weeks
Look at this beautiful girl! She is three weeks old, and such a good baby! We love having her as part of our family!
Big sister Melissa loves to help Mommy take care of "Baby Emily". She will pat her and say "Shhh" to get her to calm down. If nothing works, she has learned to go get the binky! Mommy is so lucky to have a good helper.
Big sister Melissa loves to help Mommy take care of "Baby Emily". She will pat her and say "Shhh" to get her to calm down. If nothing works, she has learned to go get the binky! Mommy is so lucky to have a good helper.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Halloween
Our cute little Emily pumpkin!
Beautiful Melissa lady bug!
Fun times at a Halloween party with cousins and friends:
Don't let her cuteness fool you. She is ready to destroy the pinata!
Aunt Gigi and Emily:
Ready to go trick or treating on Halloween, Melissa is showing off her costume:
Lexi and Dailynn getting ready to go!
Melissa and Emily:
"The Girls"
We went back to Sorority Row this year, and brought Lexi and Dailynn with us. The girls got tons of candy, had fun walking house to house, getting their faces painted, seeing the costumes, and playing a few games:
Lexi and her hearts:
Melissa and her stars:
Bowling for candy!
Beautiful Melissa lady bug!
Fun times at a Halloween party with cousins and friends:
Don't let her cuteness fool you. She is ready to destroy the pinata!
Aunt Gigi and Emily:
Ready to go trick or treating on Halloween, Melissa is showing off her costume:
Lexi and Dailynn getting ready to go!
Melissa and Emily:
We went back to Sorority Row this year, and brought Lexi and Dailynn with us. The girls got tons of candy, had fun walking house to house, getting their faces painted, seeing the costumes, and playing a few games:
Lexi and her hearts:
Melissa and her stars:
Friday, October 28, 2011
More Hospital Pictures
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Pictures of Emily
The nurses were laughing at Emily because she was holding onto the oxygen mask. She didn't need it, but was like - Yes! Give me the good stuff!
Proud parents!
Beautiful wreath from Aunt Gigi (Jennifer)
Melissa meeting Emily:
Proud big sister!
Getting ready to go home in the same outfit that big sister wore. When were were packing for Melissa, Daddy wanted the socks, so Mommy had to find an outfit to coordinate with them. Unfortunately, nothing for a girl in size Newborn matched the red socks, so 0-3 months it was, which looked huge on both Melissa and Emily.
Go Sox!
Proud parents!
Nursery shot. (And yes - we see you in the background, Crazy Uncle Pete!)
Beautiful wreath from Aunt Gigi (Jennifer)
Melissa meeting Emily:
Pretty little girl!
Proud big sister!
Getting ready to go home in the same outfit that big sister wore. When were were packing for Melissa, Daddy wanted the socks, so Mommy had to find an outfit to coordinate with them. Unfortunately, nothing for a girl in size Newborn matched the red socks, so 0-3 months it was, which looked huge on both Melissa and Emily.
Go Sox!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Emily's Arrival - Her Story
So when Melissa was born, I had an unexpected C-section, and I was completely out for it.
During the doctor visits during my pregnancy with Emily, Eric and I began discussing the possibility with our doctor of trying a VBAC, and he was very supportive. Since my labor with Melissa had progressed fine, the only reason I had the C-section was because she was breech, and it had been about 3 years since I had the surgery, he agreed that it would be ok to try and felt that I should be able to successfully achieve it, assuming all went well. As Emily's due date approached, we discussed things in more detail and I understood that if things didn't look good during labor and/or delivery, they would be inclined to move more quickly to a C-section than someone else, simply because a VBAC is a little more risky to begin with. Eric joked that he had been watching You Tube videos and preparing our garage in case something happened and we couldn't get to the hospital in time.
About 3 weeks before my due date, my doctor wanted to discuss scheduling a C-section in case I didn't go into labor on my own. I knew that I could not be induced to attempt a VBAC, as it increases the risk of uterine rupture. So he wanted to get this scheduled as a back up. I asked him how long he would let me go past my due date (which was Monday October 10th). He replied with "Your due date." The rest of our conversation went like this:
Me: Really? Even though Melissa was three days late and everything went well during her labor and this pregnancy is going well so far?
Him: Maybe a day later, so Tuesday.
Me: What about Wednesday or Thursday? That would give me three days, since Melissa was three days late.
Him: What is this? It's like we're bartering for something at a store. (Don't worry - he was laughing.) I tell you what. Let me check and see what my on call date is and let's schedule the C-section for that day.
I told him I was ok with that and he left the room. Eric and I are still laughing when he comes back in, slaps his hand down on the desk and says, "You are not going to believe this - my on call day is Friday the 14th."
I said "I'll take it" with a big grin! The C-section was scheduled for Friday the 14th at 11:30 am.
However, during that next week, I began to question my decision to agree to a C-section. I wondered if I should have pushed for at least waiting a week. I thought about it every day and was considering bringing it up at my next appointment to see if I could move it back a few more days. I was rethinking everything AGAIN that Saturday night. And suddenly, I felt very calm and very at peace with the decision to have a C-section. I don't know why, but at that moment, I thought to myself that maybe I'm meant to have my babies this way and not any other way. And that it was ok. It's the way it's supposed to be for me. It was strange, but from then on, I didn't question it, didn't give it a second thought.
My due date came and went, just like with Melissa. The whole week went by and suddenly it was Thursday and I had not gone into labor. It was weird leaving work that day, knowing that I wouldn't be back the next day because I would be having a baby. Every time I woke up Thursday night, I wondered if it was due to a contraction! But Friday morning came and we began getting ready to go to the hospital for the C-section. The whole morning was very relaxing. We took Melissa to Shipley's for donuts before taking her to school (well, Eric and Melissa had breakfast since I couldn't eat anything.) We strolled on over to drop off Melissa, gave her extra hugs and kisses, then went back home to finish packing those last minute things and head up to the hospital.
I will say that the experience this time was very different than with Melissa. Not better or worse, just different. When I was in labor with Melissa, it seemed like there was this urgency to get to the hospital, urgency when they realized I would need a C-section, etc. This time, I knew what to expect and had mentally prepared for the surgery. Everything seemed so casual and relaxed. We were joking with the nurses, the doctors, etc. I got down to the surgery room and they got me ready. Eric got dressed in his scrubs and joined me. He came in smiling and so happy to talk to me and share it with me. Last time, since I was completely under, Eric was so tense the whole time as he held my hand, worried for me, for Melissa. Again, this time was different. I remember laughing because I couldn't feel my legs at all. I knew they were there, but I couldn't move them. It was a very weird experience. The anesthesiologist had mentioned that some people get very anxious about that sensation, but I was telling Eric that he had to try it!
Our doctor asked Eric to help him out since he had been watching those videos. Eric (while sitting next to me) says, "Well, first you need to make an incision." The doctor laughs and says "Ok". Eric then responds "There should be a line there from last time, so you should be able to just follow that." Everyone laughs and I'm like "Don't encourage him." So they do their thing and Eric and I are waiting. And suddenly - there it is. A beautiful cry fills the room as they take Emily out. It was music to my ears! They show her to me, then took her over to access her and clean her up. Eric heads over to see her and take pictures, and they bring her over to see again. Eric and Emily then head to the nursery while they finish me up. Eric meets me in recovery, and then my mom joined me in recovery. The nursery nurse brings Emily in earlier than expected because she said that Emily had one fist in her mouth and was trying to fit the other one in there, so they figured she was hungry.
Emily Claire Wivagg was born Friday, October 14th at 12:30 pm and weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 20 inches long. She had the cord wrapped around her neck, and had a true knot in the cord (but Eric is calling it a Gordian knot). I'm convinced that if I had gone into labor on my own, the knot would probably have caused distress to the baby during labor and/or delivery and I would have ended up with a C-section anyway. However, it might have been chaotic and rushed and I could have ended up being completely out again. I'm so thankful that it happened the way it did, and I'm so thankful for that sense of peace that I got, because I know we were being looked after.
Ok - storytime is over. Next post will have pictures!
During the doctor visits during my pregnancy with Emily, Eric and I began discussing the possibility with our doctor of trying a VBAC, and he was very supportive. Since my labor with Melissa had progressed fine, the only reason I had the C-section was because she was breech, and it had been about 3 years since I had the surgery, he agreed that it would be ok to try and felt that I should be able to successfully achieve it, assuming all went well. As Emily's due date approached, we discussed things in more detail and I understood that if things didn't look good during labor and/or delivery, they would be inclined to move more quickly to a C-section than someone else, simply because a VBAC is a little more risky to begin with. Eric joked that he had been watching You Tube videos and preparing our garage in case something happened and we couldn't get to the hospital in time.
About 3 weeks before my due date, my doctor wanted to discuss scheduling a C-section in case I didn't go into labor on my own. I knew that I could not be induced to attempt a VBAC, as it increases the risk of uterine rupture. So he wanted to get this scheduled as a back up. I asked him how long he would let me go past my due date (which was Monday October 10th). He replied with "Your due date." The rest of our conversation went like this:
Me: Really? Even though Melissa was three days late and everything went well during her labor and this pregnancy is going well so far?
Him: Maybe a day later, so Tuesday.
Me: What about Wednesday or Thursday? That would give me three days, since Melissa was three days late.
Him: What is this? It's like we're bartering for something at a store. (Don't worry - he was laughing.) I tell you what. Let me check and see what my on call date is and let's schedule the C-section for that day.
I told him I was ok with that and he left the room. Eric and I are still laughing when he comes back in, slaps his hand down on the desk and says, "You are not going to believe this - my on call day is Friday the 14th."
I said "I'll take it" with a big grin! The C-section was scheduled for Friday the 14th at 11:30 am.
However, during that next week, I began to question my decision to agree to a C-section. I wondered if I should have pushed for at least waiting a week. I thought about it every day and was considering bringing it up at my next appointment to see if I could move it back a few more days. I was rethinking everything AGAIN that Saturday night. And suddenly, I felt very calm and very at peace with the decision to have a C-section. I don't know why, but at that moment, I thought to myself that maybe I'm meant to have my babies this way and not any other way. And that it was ok. It's the way it's supposed to be for me. It was strange, but from then on, I didn't question it, didn't give it a second thought.
My due date came and went, just like with Melissa. The whole week went by and suddenly it was Thursday and I had not gone into labor. It was weird leaving work that day, knowing that I wouldn't be back the next day because I would be having a baby. Every time I woke up Thursday night, I wondered if it was due to a contraction! But Friday morning came and we began getting ready to go to the hospital for the C-section. The whole morning was very relaxing. We took Melissa to Shipley's for donuts before taking her to school (well, Eric and Melissa had breakfast since I couldn't eat anything.) We strolled on over to drop off Melissa, gave her extra hugs and kisses, then went back home to finish packing those last minute things and head up to the hospital.
I will say that the experience this time was very different than with Melissa. Not better or worse, just different. When I was in labor with Melissa, it seemed like there was this urgency to get to the hospital, urgency when they realized I would need a C-section, etc. This time, I knew what to expect and had mentally prepared for the surgery. Everything seemed so casual and relaxed. We were joking with the nurses, the doctors, etc. I got down to the surgery room and they got me ready. Eric got dressed in his scrubs and joined me. He came in smiling and so happy to talk to me and share it with me. Last time, since I was completely under, Eric was so tense the whole time as he held my hand, worried for me, for Melissa. Again, this time was different. I remember laughing because I couldn't feel my legs at all. I knew they were there, but I couldn't move them. It was a very weird experience. The anesthesiologist had mentioned that some people get very anxious about that sensation, but I was telling Eric that he had to try it!
Our doctor asked Eric to help him out since he had been watching those videos. Eric (while sitting next to me) says, "Well, first you need to make an incision." The doctor laughs and says "Ok". Eric then responds "There should be a line there from last time, so you should be able to just follow that." Everyone laughs and I'm like "Don't encourage him." So they do their thing and Eric and I are waiting. And suddenly - there it is. A beautiful cry fills the room as they take Emily out. It was music to my ears! They show her to me, then took her over to access her and clean her up. Eric heads over to see her and take pictures, and they bring her over to see again. Eric and Emily then head to the nursery while they finish me up. Eric meets me in recovery, and then my mom joined me in recovery. The nursery nurse brings Emily in earlier than expected because she said that Emily had one fist in her mouth and was trying to fit the other one in there, so they figured she was hungry.
Emily Claire Wivagg was born Friday, October 14th at 12:30 pm and weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 20 inches long. She had the cord wrapped around her neck, and had a true knot in the cord (but Eric is calling it a Gordian knot). I'm convinced that if I had gone into labor on my own, the knot would probably have caused distress to the baby during labor and/or delivery and I would have ended up with a C-section anyway. However, it might have been chaotic and rushed and I could have ended up being completely out again. I'm so thankful that it happened the way it did, and I'm so thankful for that sense of peace that I got, because I know we were being looked after.
Ok - storytime is over. Next post will have pictures!
Emily's Arrival - Sharing Melissa's story first
(Warning - these next two posts are lengthy, but have no pictures. Picture posts are coming soon.)
Emily's arrival didn't happen exactly as I had wanted, but exactly how it needed to be.
First, let me give some background from Melissa's birth, to understand Emily's birth better (and because I didn't have my blog back then and want to document Melissa's birth as well!).
My due date with Melissa arrived and no baby. I remember we were taking walks every night and trying all sorts of things. The night before I went into labor, we had dinner at Ninfa's (spicy food) and then went and saw The Dark Knight. I woke up around 1:30 on August 3rd, but couldn't figure out why I had woken up, so I went back to sleep. Ten minutes later, I woke up again, and this time felt the contraction. I woke up Eric and then called my mom. Still not sure I was in active labor (hey - this was my first baby and I hadn't felt any contractions up until that point, so I didn't know if it was the real deal!), we decided to head up to the hospital to get checked out. After only having 3-4 contractions that were 10 minutes apart, they quickly shortened to 4-5 minutes apart. Eric and I hopped in the car and by 2:45 I was admitted to the hospital and was dilated to 5 centimeters. I opted to get the epidural when I was around 6 ½ and by 7:30ish I was at 10 and ready to go! So only 6 hours after my first contraction I was ready to push!
The on-call doctor came in and broke my water and checked me again. It was then that we discovered Melissa had recently flipped and was breech! Our conversation went like this: (after she had checked me) “Um, that’s a butt there.” I replied “Oh no. Her butt is up here and her head is down there.” Dr. checked again and said “Nope – I can feel her butt cheeks.” So the nurses run out of the room and Eric is looking around like – what’s going on? I knew it meant a C-section and told Eric. He went and told everyone in the waiting room and came back to put on the scrubs and mask so he could join me. I remember when I found out I was having a C-section, the thought that popped into my head was when a friend had mentioned at bunco one night that the ultimate goal is healthy baby and healthy mommy, and if it meant that she had to have her kids by C-section, that was ok by her. So I was like - OK, let's do this! I got wheeled down to surgery and was getting the necessary drugs for the surgery. But there was a problem – they weren’t kicking in. Apparently, the epidural didn’t take correctly, so when they used the same line for the surgery drugs, they didn’t work the way they were supposed to. So they had to put me completely out.
The doctor went to tell Eric what was going on since I wouldn’t be able to talk to him myself. I was so thankful that they ended up letting Eric come into the surgery room even though I was completely out, and that he was able to be there to hold Melissa right away. Eric was there waiting in recovery for me to wake up, and our sweet daughter was brought in soon afterwards so I could meet her.
Melissa Ann Wivagg was born on Sunday, August 3rd at 8:26 am and weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 20 inches long.
I was disappointed that I missed the whole experience of Melissa being born, and knew that if Eric and I had more children, I wanted to avoid a repeat C-section. But with a healthy momma, and a healthy, adorable, wonderful little girl, the important things were taken care of.
Emily's arrival didn't happen exactly as I had wanted, but exactly how it needed to be.
First, let me give some background from Melissa's birth, to understand Emily's birth better (and because I didn't have my blog back then and want to document Melissa's birth as well!).
My due date with Melissa arrived and no baby. I remember we were taking walks every night and trying all sorts of things. The night before I went into labor, we had dinner at Ninfa's (spicy food) and then went and saw The Dark Knight. I woke up around 1:30 on August 3rd, but couldn't figure out why I had woken up, so I went back to sleep. Ten minutes later, I woke up again, and this time felt the contraction. I woke up Eric and then called my mom. Still not sure I was in active labor (hey - this was my first baby and I hadn't felt any contractions up until that point, so I didn't know if it was the real deal!), we decided to head up to the hospital to get checked out. After only having 3-4 contractions that were 10 minutes apart, they quickly shortened to 4-5 minutes apart. Eric and I hopped in the car and by 2:45 I was admitted to the hospital and was dilated to 5 centimeters. I opted to get the epidural when I was around 6 ½ and by 7:30ish I was at 10 and ready to go! So only 6 hours after my first contraction I was ready to push!
The on-call doctor came in and broke my water and checked me again. It was then that we discovered Melissa had recently flipped and was breech! Our conversation went like this: (after she had checked me) “Um, that’s a butt there.” I replied “Oh no. Her butt is up here and her head is down there.” Dr. checked again and said “Nope – I can feel her butt cheeks.” So the nurses run out of the room and Eric is looking around like – what’s going on? I knew it meant a C-section and told Eric. He went and told everyone in the waiting room and came back to put on the scrubs and mask so he could join me. I remember when I found out I was having a C-section, the thought that popped into my head was when a friend had mentioned at bunco one night that the ultimate goal is healthy baby and healthy mommy, and if it meant that she had to have her kids by C-section, that was ok by her. So I was like - OK, let's do this! I got wheeled down to surgery and was getting the necessary drugs for the surgery. But there was a problem – they weren’t kicking in. Apparently, the epidural didn’t take correctly, so when they used the same line for the surgery drugs, they didn’t work the way they were supposed to. So they had to put me completely out.
The doctor went to tell Eric what was going on since I wouldn’t be able to talk to him myself. I was so thankful that they ended up letting Eric come into the surgery room even though I was completely out, and that he was able to be there to hold Melissa right away. Eric was there waiting in recovery for me to wake up, and our sweet daughter was brought in soon afterwards so I could meet her.
Melissa Ann Wivagg was born on Sunday, August 3rd at 8:26 am and weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 20 inches long.
I was disappointed that I missed the whole experience of Melissa being born, and knew that if Eric and I had more children, I wanted to avoid a repeat C-section. But with a healthy momma, and a healthy, adorable, wonderful little girl, the important things were taken care of.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Emily Claire Wivagg
Introducing Emily Claire Wivagg!
She arrived Friday October 14, 2011 at 12:30 pm, weighing 7 lbs, 13 oz and was 20 inches long. I'll post separately about her birth story, but for now, I know that everyone has been waiting to see pictures!
Sorry it took so long to post! My old school phone doesn't have the capabilities to post pictures online. And, well, my free time is spent either showering my new baby with hugs and kisses, showering the big sister with hugs and kisses, or sleeping!
Sorry it took so long to post! My old school phone doesn't have the capabilities to post pictures online. And, well, my free time is spent either showering my new baby with hugs and kisses, showering the big sister with hugs and kisses, or sleeping!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
It's been quiet over here.....
Today is Wednesday, October 12th. My due date was Monday October 10th.
It's been strangely quiet around our house. We're just waiting for this little girl to decide to make her big debut.
Everything is packed and ready for the hospital. Everyday the people at Melissa's daycare and my work laugh and say "You're still here!"
Melissa was three days late, so I was expecting to go past my due date. My doctor won't let me go any longer than Friday the 14th, so I'll be going in for a C-section Friday morning if she stays put.
So we're just waiting and enjoying our time as a family of 3 before we become a family of 4.
It's been strangely quiet around our house. We're just waiting for this little girl to decide to make her big debut.
Everything is packed and ready for the hospital. Everyday the people at Melissa's daycare and my work laugh and say "You're still here!"
Melissa was three days late, so I was expecting to go past my due date. My doctor won't let me go any longer than Friday the 14th, so I'll be going in for a C-section Friday morning if she stays put.
So we're just waiting and enjoying our time as a family of 3 before we become a family of 4.
Wordless Wednesday
I know this is supposed to be wordless, but I want to point out that the panda is a puppet and she fell asleep with her hand in the puppet.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Old Friends
We love visits from old friends! Especially friends that are the reason you met your future husband!
It's been too long Gabe! Come back and see us soon!
It's been too long Gabe! Come back and see us soon!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
