Labor Talk, Daisy's 1st checkup and other things

{for the record, I can't stand the pictures taken of me during my entire hospital stay but, I'm trying to get over it and am posting a couple of them anyways. I know I will be glad I did someday down the line}
A lot of you have been asking about how labor down went down, so I thought I had better jot down my thoughts while it is still fresh in my memory. If you have any questions just let me know and I will get back to you on it as soon as I can.

Delivery day:

-not sure starting the induction at 6:30 AM was an ideal time because I probably could have benefited from a little more R& R time in my own bed before starting a super, duper long day of exhaustion. I might not have slept well the night before the induction but, I slept better then than I have since little Miss Daisy joined us (not surprising:)

-Joey was awesome! He blogged better than I could have imagined and I'm sure you would all agree:). The videos were all his idea and I'm so glad he took them and posted a couple because they are such a treat to look back on now. Joey stayed quiet and calm all day for me (that is how I cope best with pain and fatigue) even though the day was super long for both of us and I'm sure he was feeling antsy. He brought his Ipod and we listened to worship music and Enya quietly in the background all day long. That was wonderful! He got me anything I needed when I needed it and was there to wait on me hand and foot. I have never seen Joey as concerned and upset as he was when I was suffering through labor without pain relief. He says that was the roughest part of the day for him because he felt so helpless the entire time. I feel very blessed to have such a rockin' hubby!

-We were blessed with lots of visitors. Thank you to everyone who stopped by as well as to those who couldn't come by but, sent us encouraging text messages and phone messages throughout our stay. You were all there in spirit!! Joey's mom, Sister, Aunt and two Uncles and Great Grandparents were first on the scene. Our neighbor friends and folks from church visited as well as the other 3 families who had their babies recently (I like to call us the 4 pack:). Thanks everyone!

-I will never make my self suffer through a bad epidural again!! I suffered long and in silence because I was afraid to sound like I wasn't tough enough or like I was complaining. If contractions were centralized in a left leg or a left booty I would have had an amazing labor but, I could feel everything else 100% and I shook intensely through every contraction honestly more out of pain than the epidural effects. Finally, a bit after 5:30 PM or so, I broke down and began sobbing when Joey leaned down and asked me how I was doing. So glad I have a hubby that helps me to stand up for myself! The next time the nurse walked in to check me, Joey and I both told her that I was in excrutiating pain and that the epidural hadn't been working right from the get go. She noticed that I was really flushed, red and hot, so she also checked my cervix and at this point I was already dilated past 8. They hadn't checked me in a couple of hours so she seemed very surprised that I had progressed that much. She immediately upped my epidural considerably and within 20 minutes I was no longer able to feel the contractions (I was in HEAVEN!!) and all I wanted to do was sleep...but, then just like that at a bit after 6 it was time to push. I was having dizzy spells and seeing stars from the intensity of the epidural, exhaustion combined with pushing but, the nurses and doctor's were fantastic and encouraged me kindly and patiently through the entire pushing process. Seriously, they were amazing coaches and made the super long, painful day all worth it and kept me focused to the very end. Joey held up my left leg up for me since I couldn't feel it (until 3 AM the next morning!) and was a wonderful, amazing support and encourager as well! He never got woozy and stayed very attentive to the process the entire time which surprised me. Way to go Joey!! :)

-I pushed for about an hour and a half but, that pace was perfect for me since I was sooooo tired at this point and also super drugged. The nurses were great about going slow to help minimize tearing and to give me the chance to rest between each set of pushes and I am so grateful to them for that. The hour and a half flew by to be honest. I know the epidural had a lot do with that but, I was so motivated by the fact that after 40 loonnnnggg weeks, our baby girl could be in my arms any minute! It felt surreal!

-I used a mirror to help encourage myself through the pushing phase and I am so glad that I did. I used to think that would be weird or gross but, all I cared about was seeing my little girl come out healthy and strong and the mirror gave me that motivation. As soon as I saw her coming through I had renewed strength and it gave me all the umph that I needed for the last handful of pushes.

-Pretty much immediately after her birth, they placed Daisy on my chest and immediately I felt a whole slew of over powering emotions race through me. I had felt so little of that emotion during my pregnancy mostly because of hormones but, also because it is hard for me to get excited about things until they staring me in the face (literally in this situation:). The second I saw my baby girl's beautiful body, heard her first gasp and cry for air, saw her helpless body...ohhhh, words cannot sum up that moment or those feelings. It was absolutely life changing all in one instant. I love her SO much!!! I know Joey was feeling the same thing because he was crying and shaking from his excitement. In one of the videos he filmed I can hear him crying in the background and it is priceless to me. Daisy loved had us hooked from the second we laid eyes on her!

All in all in spite of the unwarranted, horrific pain that I dealt with, the length of the laboring and the recovery that I am now going through...I would honestly choose labor over 40 weeks of unpleasant pregnancy. The 40 weeks of pregnancy were SO tough for me but, truth be told...as all women say, I would do it again for the miracle of life.

I am definitely hurting today, probably more so than any day since I left the hospital. I haven't been very diligent about taking my pain meds so that could be why and I am not very good about relaxing or taking it easy. I'm working on taking better care of myself though it's just a learning process even for me.

Daisy updates:

Daisy does not sleep at all at night but, I really can't complain because she is a wonderful baby. She just thinks that night time is from 3 to 10 PM....she is about to wake up as I am typing this at 9:50 PM. I have tried everything in the books to wake her during this time...undressing her, blowing in her face (gently of course), talking to her, taking her outside, letting the house be loud around her etc...but, she is in 100% coma mode. It is a work in progress and I know it will get much better in time. Don't get me wrong, I am SO wiped out but, it is all very worth it! I expected all these things thanks to friends who we have learned so much from, so nothing is really surprising me and though I am beyond exhausted at night when Daisy is wide awake and even more wiped out all day (hence why many of you haven't heard from me much yet..sorry about that:( I am loving and I mean LOVING every second I get to spend with Daisy. Even at 2, 3, 4, 5 etc. AM in the morning I can't get enough of talking to her, watching her cute little expressions change, kissing her feet and her soft cheeks and soaking up every moment of undisturbed time I get. Knowing that I have to go back to work in 7 short weeks is a great motivator for me to soak this time up like no other and I am doing just that. I am trying to become a better napper to get through this sleepless season, so if you don't hear back from my right away that is probably where I'm at. I love all your calls, text messages, FB messages and blog comments so please know that I will get back to you as soon as I get a free minute and look forward to catching up.

Daisy is BEAUTIFUL!!! I have seen many a pretty baby in my days but, to see one that is ours and that I get to stare at each and every day is such a treat:). lol. I see a lot of Joey but, also a bit of me in her so it will be hard to tell who she will look more like until she gets a bit older. Joey loves cuddling with Daisy, has changed more diapers than I have and loves kissing her face all over. I love seeing how she turns her head when she hears his or my voice in a room:). Daisy does not like having her diaper changed at this point and that is one time we can count on her getting fussy, granted I wouldn't like cold wipes on my bum either! We have remedied this by giving her a pacifier and it generally works well. I am a big fan of pacifiers for the record:). She is also a ravenous eater and has nursed like a pro since day one. I am so thankful that nursing has been going so well because I was actually expecting to have more difficulties in this area and I really to love the bonding time that nursing provides a mom and a baby. Things could still change but, Daisy came out of the womb sucking her fist so I'm hoping she keeps it up.

Daisy weighed 7 pounds 6.5 ounces at birth, was down to 7 pounds 1 ounce when we left the hospital and today at her "one" week appointment she was already back up to 7 pounds 7 ounces!!! Yeah!! Way to go Daisy:) Everything else went great at Daisy's checkup. She is healthy and progressing just as she should so all praise to Jesus for that! She pooped on our way to the appointment and while Joey was changing her diaper in the waiting room, Daisy peed everywhere...I mean everywhere. It was pretty funny. :-) She was well fed at the start of the checkup so she didn't cry at all and was such a champ while the Dr. poked and prodded at her. I was one proud mama! Oh, and filling out Daisy's paperwork as her "mom" for the first time was so weird! I know I am Daisy's mom but, my hand seems to disagree. I'm sure this will only take another form or two but, for now it is still sinking in that this little girl is ours at the end and start of everyday:). What a treat!

After Daisy's checkup today (4-3-2010) Joey and I decided to head over to Wal-Mart for our first official outing. I needed to get Daisy some more hand covers and a few other little things. First we ate at Subway in Wal-Mart and Daisy started to get fussy just as we sat down with our sandwiches (how are babies so smart?). I took her out of her car seat and we took turns holding her so we could finish eating. I held her the rest of the time while we walked around Wal-Mart and she was as happy as could be. So was I to be honest;). It was wonderful to get out on a warm North Carolina day and soak up the Spring beauty with my hubby and our new baby.

Sorry that this was so long but, since I haven't gotten to talk to many of you yet I thought this might be a nice way to at least stay somewhat informed on how things are going down over yonder. To be continued....:)