Momma's Take

So Andy has done a pretty good job of keeping everyone up to date with what has been going on. But I figured I'd give my take on the whole experience anyway! Our first nurse was great! She was very friendly and comforting. So the contractions really weren't that bad...at first! So before they got bad, I asked at what point I could get an epidural. I didn't know if there was a specific time frame it had to be done in or what, but if there was, I didn't want to miss it! She asked if I was ready for it and I said that I wasn't sure, because the contractions were still bearable at that point! So she was looking out for me because she came in and told me the anesthesiologist was coming up to do someone else's and that I should just get it while he was up there. PERFECT!!! Except for that whole emergency thing Andy mentioned earlier! By the time he got to me, she said he had a long list of people waiting on him...but I was first! (Thank goodness!!)

The epidural was one of the most amazing things I've ever felt! We could see my contractions on the monitor, but I couldn't feel a thing! Although I think the nurses get a kick out of getting you the epidural and then making you turn on your side or lift your butt up when you can't feel anything and it is dead weight!! You feel yourself trying to lift up, but nothing is happening. Very bizarre, but amazing!

So the day was very long, as I think Andy also mentioned. They had me hooked up to the fetal monitor so we could see Julia's heartbeat and my contractions. Well there was also a computer in the room with all of the other rooms and their monitors that Andy was able to see. So he enjoyed comparing my contractions with all of the other rooms. You know Andy...Mr. Competitive!! So he would make comments like "Oh, I hope she's had an epidural already!" or "You've got a long way to go compared to Room 7."

After we got to the Mother/Baby section, we were put in a semi-private room. Luckily we didn't have a roommate because Andy would have had to leave if that were the case. Lucky for me, Andy took right to being "Daddy of the Year" as he calls himself! As I was pretty much stuck in bed, getting up only to go to the bathroom (which was a process in itself!) he took care of Julia all night. I realized that on Wednesday afternoon, I still hadn't changed a diaper! Andy had changed them all! I was so impressed with how he just took over and was so patient and loving!

We have also been attempting the whole breast feeding thing. I'm pretty sure I've decided that it is for the birds! Julia's first nurse didn't help me one bit. I even asked for her help and she wasn't that responsive. Her second nurse was very willing and eager to help and show me exactly what to do. This was helpful. The lactation consultant also was very helpful. I thought things were going well...until we came home! I have never seen a child scream bloody murder when her mom tried to feed her. She will suck on her hands, a pacifier, a bottle, even on Andy's shirt, but not on the boob! I try to feed her, she screams her head off, Andy takes her, she calms right down, he gives her back, she continues screaming!!! She is definitely a daddy's girl!! He has the magic touch that momma can't seem to find! So I'm pretty sure we are switching over to the bottle. She has had a couple already and seems to be more responsive to those. I just can't take anymore of the screaming everytime I feed her and wondering if she is getting enough to eat!

All in all, this has been one of the most amazing and unbelievable experiences I've ever had. Seeing this beautiful baby makes everything better....even if she is screaming! It's all worth it!!

So we are going on our first road trip tomorrow to Grandmom and Pop's, which is an hour away, so we will see how that works out for us!

~Courtney