Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The First Few Months

I meant to post this months ago, but my newly acquired momma brain kept me forgetful. I would add a little every time and forget to post. But not this time!

For all my man readers (#yeahright) who have eagerly (again #yeahright) awaited the announcement of our baby girl - it's finally here!

I am oh-so pleased to announce the birth of our baby girl Harper Mae.  She was born September 20th at 11:45pm . . . only 15 minutes before her due date and an extra day in the hospital for mom.  At birth she weighed a total of 8lbs 14oz and measured 21.5 inches long.



She came out quiet after a stressful labor and eventually had her lungs aspirated, but other than that she was nice and healthy!  I say eventually because it seemed like forever, but in reality she was quiet for maybe 15 seconds before she started crying and coughing up fluid.  Silly girl didn't realize you're not supposed to try breathing before entering the world.

The first few months of being a mom has been crazy. . . crazy amazing that is!  No, but seriously.  While it has been hectic the sleepless nights, dietary changes, aching body, and hours of crying have been so worth it.  In all honesty, our sweet little baby girl has been pretty perfect.  I know I have a mother's bias, but she really is a good baby.  Now that we have her reflux under control she only cries when she's hungry, tired, has bad gas, or needs her diaper changed.  One day she'll be so embarrassed I've posted this.  But until then, I'll blog away!

 This is the face of someone whose had the pants scared off her because she's in labor for the first time ever.  This was a few minutes after being admitted to the hospital at 3:45am and I'm pretty sure I was thinking something along the lines of, It hurts this bad and I'm only how dilated?!  Dom thought it would be smart (which it was) to take pictures of my progress throughout the day.  Below you'll see a before and after of the epidural.  Guess which is which?  It's not too hard!


I then proceeded to get only a little rest.  For some reason I could only fall asleep on my right side, and I had to switch sides ever hour until I really got into it.  
Here is my two-cents on epidurals: they're wonderful things.  This being said, make sure you're really far enough along before you get one.  The extra hour or so of pain will be worth it in the long run.  And get a second opinion on your dilation before you call the anesthesiologist.  You don't want to be over 24 hours between meals and have to push a baby out, trust me! I was at a 3 and the nurse felt me at a 5, and said at that stage the epidural wouldn't slow down the process. But my 24 hours of laboring and 3 hours of pushing will drastically disagree with that. 
This is the last picture taken before that great and dreadful moment.  TMI?  Probably.
Aaaaand she was born.  Hooray!

 


And so now I'm a mom.  Crazy, right?  It's the best thing in the world though.  It's a lot easier, and yet harder than anyone tells you it will be.  She is my world.

I haven't done a very good job of updating this blog.  For pictures of Harper over the last few months, please see my photography blog www.meganfosson.blogspot.com