First week and first bath

follow up

Thursday was the day we were supposed to get out of the hospital and begin our new life with four kids at home. I had noticed most of the day Wednesday that Charlotte was looking more and more yellow. I knew her bilirubin count was going up, but I wasn't prepared for how high it was. My nurse came in at 3 a.m. on Thursday morning to do everything they need to do at that crazy hour. She told me about the results of the test, and she mentioned words like "brain damage" and "stay longer in the hospital." I was tired, and now I was stressed. I guess I never paid attention to the fact that babies sometimes stay an extra day or so to be under the lights. Now, after talking to people, I realize how common it actually is. I really learned a lesson in perspective, gratitude, patience, and unconditional mother's love.

Charlotte spent all day, except for feedings and a blessing from her dad, in the nursery under the lights. We spent a lot of time at the nursery window watching her. I was discharged at about 4 from the hospital and we went to pick up the other kids.

Dinners from the most wonderful friends, neighbors and family members started showing up that night and continued until the next Friday night.

After eating quickly and kissing the older kids, I went back to the hospital at 7 to be with Charlotte for her feeding then and at 10 p.m. I was willing to sit there all night, but with the nurse's reassurance, I decided to go home, sleep, pump, and come back at 7 a.m. It was a hard thing to leave my baby that night, but as I sat in the nursery I thought of all the people I know who have had to leave their very sick babies for weeks or months and made countless trips to NICU. I cried as I realized how blessed I am, and how healthy Charlotte is. She did so wonderfully on the lights at the hospital that I brought her home at 9 a.m. Friday morning, and she only had to be on the bili blanket for one day. We were all so glad to have her home. Having our whole family together has been so wonderful!

The miraculous arrival of Charlotte Rose

We are so happy to announce the safe, healthy arrival of our sweet Charlotte Rose. Our family is so blessed to have these four strong, precious children in it. I couldn't ask for more as a wife and a mother than this wonderful family of mine.

I got the call at 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15th. The hospital was ready for us to come in and be induced. I was so excited that I didn't sleep at all the night before. The boys and Lucy had spent the night at my parents' house, so they could get off to school and have a normal day.

I was hooked up to my IV and then to pitocin by around 8:30. Dr. Watabe came in and immediately broke my water. Contractions were strong and very consistent from the beginning, so I had my epidural by about 10. I have to say that this epidural was perfect. It did everything exactly the way the anesthesiologist said it should. I wasn't in pain, but I was still aware of what my body was doing. My nurses in labor and delivery and in mother/baby were all fantastic. I had some of the most wonderful care.

My nurse kept expecting my body to dialate more quickly, but as long as it didn't take as long as it did with Lucy, I was happy. I kept progressing, so Shea and I were happy and relaxed. In case you didn't know, there isn't much on t.v. during the day. We enjoyed "How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days" and Shea enjoyed lunch from the cafeteria downstairs. We spent most of the morning and early afternoon as just the two of us and the nurse sometimes. We had a lot of good conversation about our sweet family and our many blessings. I have been filled with so much love and gratitude to my Heavenly Father these last 5 days.

Candy arrived at 2 ish to chat and see how things were going. My mom and dad came with the kids at about 4. The nurse checked me at 4:15 and said I was completely effaced and a 9. Not 10 minutes later the doctor checked again and said I was ready to push. We were surprised, but excited. Everyone left the room and started walking down the hall to start their wait. I started pushing at 4:42, and sweet Miss Charlotte Rose was born at 4:44! It was the quickest, easiest delivery ever! She was healthy and beautiful and here! Her heart rate was unstable and she had a slight temperature, so the nurse placed her on my chest and I loved having her warm little body right next to mine. Amazingly, her heart rate normalized and her temp disappeared with a little mommy time.

The kids and the grandparents got to come in soon after Charlotte was born and meet her. There was such a special spirit in the room as my amazing husband and four sweet children were all there together. We enjoyed our time with the baby for quite a while. I got to eat dinner, which was a surprise. I have never felt good after delivering my babies. I always get sick for a few hours and am miserable while Shea is in the nursery with the new arrival(s). This time I felt great!

more to come...baby girl needs to eat in order to keep her sweet cheeks the right size!

Photos of Baby Charlotte

Labor Day

For us, Labor Day this year involved almost no labor. It definitely didn't involve the type of labor that brings a baby, but that's okay. I'll wait another week and be induced next Tuesday! That will give me time to get my hair cut and colored, my visiting teaching done, some volunteer time put in at the school, and two soccer games for the boys hopefully won. At least I have a few things each day to anticipate, which will make the waiting seem faster.
Yesterday we spent almost four hours swimming in grandma and grandpa's pool. My kids were in heaven playing for that long with their good friends and each other. Shea picked up lunch so I didn't have to prepare it, and after showers at home we headed to Holli and Phil's for a family night luau. It was a perfect evening in their perfect backyard with yummy food that, once again, I didn't have to make. We were assigned shredded cheese and diced peppers, and Shea took care of that. What an awesome husband I have! He really does spoil me. He even demanded last week that I get a cleaning crew in to deep clean the house because he knew how wonderful that would make me feel. I just have to give that man some credit. He really is amazing, and I've been extremely whiny and miserable for the past little while. He takes it all in stride, lets me vent, and then continues to take care of me.
Also, I think we've mostly settled on a name for this little princess. I hesitate to blog it because I do and don't at the same time want people's opinions. So far, today, her name will be Charlotte Rose. We'll see if she matches that when she comes out! I would say I was waiting to see what she looks like, but all my kids look so much alike that that doesn't make any sense. She'll probably look like the rest of them, which I think would be absolutely wonderful.

It's finally September!

2 weeks from today, and I am definitely counting! We are excited to welcome this new baby into our home and our family.