Julia's Newborn Photos

I cannot thank Erin enough for the photos she captured of our two babies.  Erin's work has frequented the blog - she's been photographing our family since our maternity session with Lily in 2012!  Her business, Erin Alies Photography, was recently recognized by GRKids as a top 10 photographer in the 2017 Grandtastic Awards.  And there's good reason - we had to reschedule our original date and she was super flexible.  She offered up a couple of dates/times, arrived with her suitcase full of goodies, and turned our sunroom into a little studio.  Erin even remembered some of the stuff she'd used in Lily's newborn session (recognize that blue headband?).  Julia was wide awake and needed two separate feedings during our session.  Erin waited patiently, played with Lily, and even took Julia from me when she was all worked up in a fit of rage from being posed all afternoon.  She's extremely talented and I highly recommend her!  Just take a look at these amazing photos!

Julia - 1 Month Old

When I started this blog over five years ago, never in a million years did I think I'd be sitting here writing another "one month" post.  And as I look back at Lily's monthly updates (or bi-monthly when things got crazy), I wish that I'd gotten out my camera more and captured something similar to this.

It's hard to believe that Julia is a month old already.  We were discharged from the hospital on Easter Sunday, a little over 24 hours after she was born.  Our hospital has gotten rid of their nursery in an effort to better prepare mothers for caring for their babies, so I really pushed to be at home in my own bed.  Everyone keeps asking if it's easier with Julia but I truly don't know.  Our experience with Lily was so different that being home with Julia right away is just different.  That being said, knock on wood she's a pretty chill baby.  That is something we did NOT experience with Lil.

Julia only lost one ounce before we left the hospital and another half an ounce by the time we went in for her newborn appointment a day later.  We were sent home from that appointment with the goal of getting her back up to her birth weight by our next weekly appointment.  Then she started projectile vomiting and I started crying as Lily's horrible first few months came flooding back into my mind.  I was shocked when she weighed in at 8lbs, 3oz.  And I wanted to kiss the doctor when I was told we could start Julia on baby Zantac right away.  It's made all the difference.  With Lily it was several weeks and a new doctor before we were able to get it.  

Today, Julia weighed in at 9lbs, 6oz; is sleeping five hour stretches at night; having long periods of being awake during the day; napped in her crib for the first time; loves boat rides; and can't get enough of her big sister.

When I got pregnant I had serious mom guilt.  Lily was my baby and I really struggled with how much her life was about to change.  We had so many people tell us it would be great because she's older and could be helpful and would understand what was happening.  But I'd argue her fully understanding ahead of time wasn't always a good thing.  Lily had more meltdowns before Julia was born about us forgetting her than we've had now that Julia has arrived.  It's been tough for sure - Lily's watched the iPad more than I would have liked - but for the most part the transition for her has been a lot easier than I anticipated.  

Lily's Preschool Graduation

I might have teared up a little bit.  It's official - Lily has graduated from Appletree and will be finishing up her final days there next week.  She'll return in the fall with Julia for their after school program.

I dread next Friday - not because I'll be home with two kids all summer (well OK maybe that too) but because of how sensitive Lily is about leaving and not seeing her friends.  Many of them she's grown up with since the very beginning of her time there.  A couple of them we will see at Pine Ridge in the fall and then another few we will see in middle school.  Some will filter into different middle schools and some are in different districts all together.  We'll try to stay in touch with some of the families but I'm fully aware of how busy life gets.  

So here's to the class of 2030.  YIKES.

Julia Patrice

As I was signing the hospital admission papers I asked what the date was - I knew it was close to midnight - and the nurse replied April 15th.  Mike couldn't help but laugh as I asked if she was serious.  It was also at that point I realized all of the paperwork was in Spanish.  Minor details.

Rewind to Thursday night into Friday morning when I started feeling labor pains - inconsistent contractions yet different from the ones I'd been having for weeks.  I dropped Lily off at preschool and worked from home for most of the day.  I had three important things on my to-do list before I could actually go into labor.  At least that's what I was telling myself.  I got through everything, caught up with my amazing co-worker covering my leave, and headed off to the OB for my 39 week appointment.

I tried convincing the Dr. that no one wanted to deliver my baby on Easter and we should just go on down to the hospital but at only 3cm dilated she wasn't budging.  She reassured me that it was progress - the previous week I hadn't shown any signs of progress so this was good!  And after all, my OB Dr. Anderson was on call all weekend.  She delivered Lily and it was fate.  Go home and rest she said.

So I picked Lily up from school and home we went.  We made dinner and picked up the house and then my contractions started to get more regular.  I should have gone to sleep but of course I had to catch up on the latest episode of Designated Survivor.  About 10:00 I knew she was coming soon.  We called my brother who came and picked up Lily.  This was the first time I cried.  As she looked at me over Mike's shoulder, still half asleep, she gave me a little wave and said I love you, as Mike took her out to the car.  Our entire world was changing.

I tried to sleep but my contractions were just getting stronger and closer.  When we finally got admitted into triage, I was 5 cm dilated and my contractions were about 5 minutes apart.  Dr. Anderson poked her head in to let me know they'd be moving me to a delivery room and we took a short walk down the hall, where our nurse, Kelsey, put in my IV and drew blood in between contractions.  We had been in the delivery room for a very short time when I told her I felt like I needed to push.  She said it was likely just some pressure of her moving down but she'd check me again - I was 9 cm and Kelsey was on the phone calling in the doctors to deliver.  Thankfully I had opted not to have an epidural from the beginning of my pregnancy so I was mentally prepared when I was told there was no time for drugs (unlike with Lily when I didn't know I wasn't allowed to have one).

I pushed for a very short time and then at 3:06am there she was - 7 lbs, 3 oz and 21 inches long.  According to Dr. Anderson, a very big baby for my body which was evident with fourth degree tearing, five layers of stitches, and the multiple blood vessels I popped in both eyes.

At three and a half weeks later, I still feel the labor consequences.  Miralax is my best friend.  TMI?  It still hurts to sit, drive, and get out of bed.  Progress is being able to walk to the mailbox.  While my overall experience with Julia was better than with Lily, I wasn't prepared for the difference in recovery time.  Not only was Lily smaller so delivery was "easier" with her, but she was in the NICU being cared for by a team of great nurses.  Resting was on my time and physically recovering was much faster.

I want to say sorry not sorry if I haven't returned your phone call or text message right away.  My doctor and our pediatrician have both stressed taking time for myself.  And so, I'm taking time to be selfish - to sleep the day away, catch up on Netflix, read the stack of magazines I haven't had time for, and sometimes ignore the rest of the world.  I am so grateful for our community of support which has helped me to be able to do this.  With Lily, we had just moved into a new house and didn't know anyone in Cascade.  I can honestly say we haven't cooked a meal since coming home from the hospital.  This past weekend was the first time I folded my own laundry.  Without being asked, Lily's teachers have shown her extra love and kept me updated that she hasn't missed a beat.  We're slowly adjusting to being a family of four - I just keep reminding myself that someday I'll sleep through the night again.