A week ago this morning we were in the hospital room getting ready for the arrival of Caitlin. Kevin and I were positive that she'd arrive when we least expected it... and she did! We both went to bed a little too late last Tuesday evening (after I'd cleaned my house to perfection, since the cleaning ladies were coming the next day- wish I didn't feel the need to do that... and after Kevin had organized the garage and put Christmas stuff away and got baby stuff out).
At 2:30am my water broke and I started feeling some pretty strong contractions. I took a shower and then woke Kevin up around 3:30am after I'd talk to the doctor and she said get going to the hospital!
We called our awesome neighbor Kara and she booked it over to our house in her pjs at 4am to sleep on our couch and wait for the little man to wake up. She even snapped a photo of us before we left.
We zoomed to the hospital, and like many of you know, got pulled over by a cop on a local road because Kevin was speeding. I said, "Officer, just so you know, I'm in labor" (mid contraction) and he rushed us along to the hospital without a ticket. Kevin was a little bummed we didn't get a police escort ;)
We got checked in at the hospital and the contractions started picking up their pace. I got my epidural (yay!) and it worked perfectly. I spent the rest of the morning texting and calling friends to coordinate where Andrew was going to play for the day.
My super neighbor drove Andrew over to Walnut Creek to play at his buddy Izzie's house... even though they were packing up their house that day! You can read more about the fun they had while I was in the hospital here. We are so blessed to have such amazing friends who took such good care of Andrew last week! Thanks Kara & Sarah!
At around 10am the doctor asked us if we were ready to have a new little baby :) Kevin and I looked at each other and said, "I guess?" (it was probably a little late to be asking that at that point, right? :))... and 24 minutes later, Caitlin was born.
We have loved her since the second she was born... but definitely think she gets cuter and cuter as she ripens :) Newborns are pretty crazy looking right after they are delivered.
Later in the day, Kevin brought Andrew over to meet his new little sister. He was way more excited than I was expecting and talked in a cute little baby voice and said hi to her. He thought she was "so cute" and was thrilled to give her the present he bought for her...
After being fascinated by baby Caitlin and her little toes and tiny fingers for about 10 minutes, Andrew moved on to being more interested in how the bed moved up and down.
The day was amazing and exhausting. We have been enjoying every moment since last Wednesday... and have probably documented most of that time in photos. :) I know in a few months I won't remember any of this, so it'll be nice to have a record.
Things we have learned about our little princess so far...
- She is a cuddle bug!! She loves to cuddle with everyone. Andrew wasn't... so Kevin and I love getting to snuggle with this cutie pie each day.
- We call her the "stinker factory" (Andrew's name for her) and squirt... let's just say, she loves to smell up those diapers and often!
- She loves to snooze. I know that most newborns sleep a lot... we weren't privileged to know about that when Andrew was born though, he was very alert and then loved to stay up all night. This little one actually likes to sleep a few hours every night and we are enjoying it... for as long as it lasts!
- She loves her daddy! It is precious to watch as she just stares and stares at him when she is awake.
- She also loves to fight her swaddle blanket (like Andrew) and we might start using the baby straight jacket (miracle blanket) with her soon. In the middle of the night I sometimes hear her grunting... only to discover that she's wiggled her little hands out the sides of the swaddle and they are down by her sides peeking out under the blanket.
- She isn't a huge pacifier fan yet (Andrew was an addict before we left the hospital). I actually love pacifiers... so I kinda want this to change, but for now she sleeps soundly and isn't fussing every time a pacifier falls out (since she doesn't have one), so I guess I'll be OK with that.
- Best of all, she is a very happy and content kid so far. Loves food and is a good eater, screams only when it is important (food, diaper change, burps), and just loves watching everyone.
We love her! Happy one week Caitlin!
2 comments:
Thanks for sharing! I love hearing the birth story. How cute that Andrew was so excited to meet his sister and use his "baby" voice :). I'm glad that everything went smoothly, and I must comment on how incredible you looked just after Caitlin was born, so beautiful!
Sounds like she was like my Grace...easy!!! Enjoy the cuddling and the sleeping. If she is like Grace it will last and last!! I'll cross my fingers for you!
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