Sleeping–5 Days Old

I put Eliza down for tummy time but she decided it was nap time and not play time. I love how she is just tucked into a little ball. She looks like a little bean! Also, she definitely has jaundice here!

Zoe checking out what is going on.

Starting to squirm:

4 Days Old Photo Shoot

John is an amazing wedding and family photographer (http://www.johnsharpephotography.com); no question. When we had Eliza he has had fun documenting her and has become a newborn photographer as well. However, he has his own style and doesn’t do the typical newborn photos. However, he wanted to try some other styles…

Here we tried to do the hanging baby pose and it was comical… we won’t be trying that again!

I love Eliza’s expressions in these pics! She is such a character.

Saggy bum.

Something either tastes gross or she is about to get mad…

And don’t forget about Zoe! She is in major need of a haircut:

Toga baby!

Before we moved to Minnesota, I worked at American Institute. One of my good friends I worked with made this beautiful crochet blanket for me to use when I had my baby. I was so excited to pull it out when I found out I was pregnant. It was the first baby gift anyone gave me (She was 4.5 years early)

My good friend Alisha made this adorable headband for Eliza. I just love it. (And she makes amazing cupcakes too!! http://cravings-alishascupcakes.blogspot.com/ I wish I lived in Utah so I could buy some fruit pizza cupcakes)

First Doctor’s Appointment and a Bath - 4 Days Old

Eliza had her first doctor’s appointment on February 10. Her doctor doesn’t know I am a resident but it was fun being a mom instead of a physician.

Weighing in at a whopping 6 pounds 13.5 ounces!

Dr. Plotnik checking out the hips:

Listening to Eliza’s heart:

And a sponge bath in the kitchen sink:

3 Days Old

My mom came up our first full day home from the hospital. It was so nice to have her there to run a few errands and buy things we didn’t have but needed.

I love this picture of my mom with Eliza and Zoe sleeping on the couch:

Thanks mom for all your help. I love you.

Going Home–2 Days Old

Leaving the hospital was crazy. Eliza was delivered Sunday at 4:41 pm. I was definitely not ready to go home on Monday; however, by Tuesday morning I was itching to get out of the hospital and get home. When it was time to leave I was a little scared and couldn’t believe they were letting me take this little newborn home. I had no clue what I was doing and felt completely unprepared.

A few photos before we left the hospital:

I can’t believe how small she is in her carseat!

When we got home Zoe was excited to see us. Little did she know how her life was going to change. We’ve tried hard to still give Zoe attention but she is definitely not the center of attention anymore. Here she is smelling the new addition to the family. (Note: I don’t let Zoe get in Eliza’s face but let Zoe smell her during this first introduction.

Our goal was to take pictures of Eliza with all those who came to visit. Well, we at least did it with her first visitors…

Barb, our next door neighbor.

The Hurley’s from the ward.

The nurse warned us we may be up every 2 hours during the night so we went to sleep at 8pm! Fortunately Eliza was/is a great sleeper and we actually woke her up for feedings the first couple nights home. Once we knew she was gaining weight and eating well, this definitely stopped!!

Any Resemblance?

If you look at these pictures taken in the hospital, who does Eliza look like…

John:

Or Emily:

I can’t decide.

The Delivery

A quick recap of Eliza’s delivery story:

On Friday, February 4 I had my 38 week appointment with my OB. I left work and told everyone I would see them on Monday. One of my attendings pointed out I might not see them on Monday if I went into labor. I laughed since I was sure I was going to go past my due date. During my appointment, I was dilated 2cm and my OB stripped my membranes. Saturday I treated like it was my last day without a child (little did I know how true that was) so I slept in, cleaned, and did a bunch of errands.

John and I went to bed around 11 pm. Shortly after we went to bed, I started  having contractions. I woke John up and made him start timing my contractions. We downloaded an app on our phones which was made to time contractions and was VERY helpful.

I told him earlier that day he needed to pack a bag for the hospital which he didn’t but once the contractions started he jumped out of bed and started getting things together! We both were in shock since we didn’t expect her to come early. Around 12:30am I called L&D for advice when I should come in. My contractions were about every 5 minutes and they told me to come in when the contractions were closer together, approx every 3 minutes. So I stayed at home because I did NOT want to get sent home from the hospital. Around 5am I told John I was sick of the contractions and it was time to go in. So we got our stuff together, John took Zoe outside, and I did some laundry. We got to the hospital and I was dilated to 4cm and was relieved they weren’t going to send me back home. Lucky for me, my OB was on call during that weekend.

Working through a contraction:

I labored for a few more hours and then when I was dilated to 5-6cm I decided it was time for an epidural. I am going into anesthesia and will be giving epidurals as part of my job but I never realized how amazing they were! I was in so much pain with my contractions and vomiting from the pain. Then as soon as the epidural was placed (around 9am) the pain was mostly gone. I had planned on getting an epidural but didn’t know when was the appropriate time to ask for one. I could still feel pressure but I could now relax. When nurses would walk into my room they would mention I must have an epidural because I was smiling. So I am a big fan of epidurals and will be requesting them on subsequent children.

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My dilation had slowed so I was placed on pitocin. Around noon they ruptured my membranes. And then at 3pm I was complete and started pushing. I have been in many deliveries and have helped moms push, but it is so different being on the opposite end of the table. It is hard to figure out the correct way to push. After one hour I was still doing fine and didn’t feel too exhausted. However, as time went on, I was getting tired with pushing. Also, Eliza’s heart rate would drop when I pushed which was scary. All I wanted was to get her out safely. My OB asked John if he wanted to help deliver the baby. John is very queasy around blood and so I didn’t think he would even want to cut the umbilical cord but he gowned up so he could catch her.  Finely, after one hour and forty minutes of pushing and a large episiotomy, Eliza was born at 4:41pm. Dr. Goralski delivered her head and shoulders and John pulled the rest of the body out and put her on my belly. He also cut the umbilical cord and never passed out!!

Eliza’s First Picture, captured by my mom (notice John’s gooey hand in the bottom of the frame from pulling Miss Eliza out)

John cutting the umbilical cord

It was the most amazing feeling in the whole wide world. This little girl I had been carrying around for 9 months was finely here and I could meet her. I could not believe how much hair she had. And the best part was seeing John with her. He was so amazing! I would just stare at her and think, wow, we made this. And also, I just pushed this peanut out of me! She weighed 7 lb 5 oz and I was grateful she came early because I had a hard enough time getting her out, I can’t imagine if she would have been bigger. It was amazing that I could love something so much even though we had just met.

She was so purple at first.