Michelle Smiles

Teaching my children to question authority, except mine.

Lucid again

July30

First off – wow. Bowled over by all of the bloggy land love. Thank you all so much for cheering me on during and welcoming Tessa after. I’ve had several real life people express awe at all of you being here for this wonderful occasion. Being so far from most of our friends and family it was wonderful having a virtual waiting room full of all of you waiting for news.

Now for what you came for – details and photos.

My doctor broke my water at 7 am yesterday. The nurse said she never gets to use words like “copious amounts” in her notes but breaking my water qualified. It was rather amazing and a bit painful. About an hour later, I was sitting on the bed talking to Steve and there was another geyser – water running off both sides of the bed and flooding puddling on the floor. The nurse came in and said I now officially had the most water in my that she had ever seen in her years of nursing. (Heh…that doesn’t even count what I’m still holding on to in my legs and ankles.) I couldn’t stop laughing and imagining it happening at the grocery store “Clean up on aisle 5”. I was having regular contractions so they decided to hold off on the pitocin (no idea if that is the correct spelling – it is the med that helps jump start labor). Around noon, the pain was getting worse and they want to start pitocin so I received my epidural. I was stoned off my ass for the next 4 hours. Didn’t feel a single contraction from then on. Epidurals rock.

I hit 4 cm at 4 pm. My doctor said she was starting the active labor clock then and she wanted to see some progress in the coming hours or we would have to make some decisions. At 8 pm, I was still stuck at 4cm. Steve went out to get himself something to eat while I tried not to growl at him since it had been 24 hours since I was allowed anything but ice chips. He had barely left the hospital when I was informed we were heading down for a c-section. I freaked out until they tracked him down. We all headed for the operating room. I was a little freaked by it all happening so fast (the c-section, obviously not the labor). I didn’t enjoy the c-section experience. It didn’t hurt exactly but wasn’t comfortable either. Knowing they are tugging out your innards while rocking you around on the table is rather disconcerting. Tessa didn’t want to come out but they eventually managed to get her free and clean her up. Steve and I immediately started crying when we heard her cry.

She is beautiful and perfect. She has been wonderful so far. I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night but that was more my fault than hers. I catnapped while she slept on my chest and fed every few hours. I will admit to some trepidation that I couldn’t possibly love another child as much as I love Sabrina but I quickly fell in love with Tessa. I am completely enchanted by her. It is different from our first days with Sabrina but no more or less amazing.

As for me, I was shocked by the amount of pain immediately following the c-section. And I continued to be shocked by the pain through the night and this morning. They still didn’t give me the okay for food this morning and I started getting very sick to my stomach. I told the nurse that I was going to be sick if they didn’t feed me so they brought me broth. Didn’t help. They gave me percocet and 2 saltines. When the lactation consultant came to see me at 11am this morning and found me unable to pay attention to her and in tears, she immediately rounded me up some food. Too late, the pain killers were too far ahead of the food and I ended up tossing my cookies. I felt horrible for hours but once the pain killers got out of my system, my day started looking up considerably. I still have some pain at my incision site, but nothing I can’t handle. I’m moving slowly but I’ve showered and been moving around a good bit as the day has moved on.

We are both enchanted with our beautiful girls.  Many of you have asked what Sabrina thinks.  Unfortunately, she was here during my not-so-lucid period today so I wasn’t able to interact much.  She said baby and hi and wasn’t amused that mommy didn’t pick her up.  Otherwise, no real reaction from her that I noticed.  Abuela has been keeping her happy at home.  Steve and I both miss Sabrina a lot so he went home to stay there tonight.  We look forward to us all being under one roof.

posted under Pregnancy
81 Comments to

“Lucid again”

  1. On July 31st, 2008 at 8:28 am Gibb Says:

    Okay, those pictures are way better than the “I was just born and I’m still blue” picture from before. Not that we didn’t appreciate that picture too! Newborns are just pretty creatures…I don’t care what anyone says. So there! Take care, take it easy and feel better.

  2. On July 31st, 2008 at 8:34 am Jennifer (Just Moms) Says:

    Hey Michelle, Tessa is absolutely beautiful. Sorry you had to have a c/s, but as long as Tessa is healthy, that is all that matters. I hope the pain meds help you to feel better instead of worse. Take it easy and we can’t wait to see more pictures. 🙂

  3. On July 31st, 2008 at 8:46 am tonya Says:

    Oh my goodness! She is perfect! I am thrilled for you! I can relate to the c-section experience…have had 3 of them for 3 different reasons. Hated feeling like I couldnt breathe or move anything. The first one was definitly the worst as far as recovery. Loved the take home pain meds…woohoo!
    Take Care Momma–you did good, she is a beautiful bundle!!! 🙂

  4. On July 31st, 2008 at 8:54 am Steph Says:

    The upside about the csxn – your vajayjay is preserved! 😉

    Seriously though, Tessa is an absolute ANGEL baby! She is just gorgeous- and not at all Ed McMahon-esque like most newborns. She is absolutely beautiful!

    I am so happy for you all!!!!!! Take good care!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

  5. On July 31st, 2008 at 9:18 am Kelly Says:

    What a beautiful perfect little girl!

    Hope you are feeling better soon!!!!

    She looks alot like steve in the 3rd pic….its the cheeks!
    Congrats again!

  6. On July 31st, 2008 at 9:27 am Cynthia Says:

    I don’t know if I can stand the awesomeness of your second perfect child!! I am just so happy for you, and sorry you’re in pain, and bringing out the calendar to figure out when you’ll be able to have margaritas to celebrate!

  7. On July 31st, 2008 at 9:28 am karen Says:

    I, too, think she looks just like Steve. What do you think?

    I love my son more than I ever imagined I could, but I will forever long for that new little infant in my arms.

    You are blessed!

  8. On July 31st, 2008 at 9:40 am Leigh Says:

    OMG.. She’s just GORGEOUS!! Those perfect pouty lips and those (wanna kiss them) cheeks!! CONGRATS… I’m sooo happy for you!

    Leigh

  9. On July 31st, 2008 at 9:42 am Nancy Says:

    Hope you will all be home soon!
    Sorry you had to go through the c-section and hope you feel better real soon.
    she is beautiful!

  10. On July 31st, 2008 at 10:31 am terris213 Says:

    Michelle,
    Even in child birth your humor is intact! Thanks for the great story, but more importantly the beautiful pictures of your gurl. I can’t wait to hear how Sabrina reacts to the baby and to see pics of your WHOLE family soon. Congratulations and get some rest!
    terri in virginia

  11. On July 31st, 2008 at 10:31 am Cheri Says:

    Michelle, I am so very happy for you four! WOW!! Tessa is absolutely beautiful. How wonderful that we all got to share this amazing ride with you. I hope Sabrina gets some warm fuzzy mommy-time and big-sister time today. Lots of love to you, Steve, Sabrina, and the newest member of your family!!

  12. On July 31st, 2008 at 10:34 am jenn Says:

    Thank you so much for sharing! Tessa is gorgeous and, like others have also said, I can’t wait to see pics of she and Sabrina together.

    Congratulations again.

  13. On July 31st, 2008 at 11:18 am carla Says:

    thanks so much for this.

    almost called you a bunch already today but didnt wanna disturb.

    can you tell I ADOPTED? I thought youd be home 🙂

    xo xo,

    C.

  14. On July 31st, 2008 at 12:01 pm erinberry Says:

    Congratulations, Michelle, Steve, and Sabrina!

    Welcome to the world, Tessa!

  15. On July 31st, 2008 at 12:25 pm nora Says:

    Congratulations Michelle! Thank you so much for sharing and for letting us be bystanders in your family miracle! I hope you continue to recover well and enjoy some rest while still in the hospital.

    Those chubby cheeks are BEAUTIFUL!

  16. On July 31st, 2008 at 2:47 pm Cathy Says:

    She is beautiful!!! Congratulations!! I’ve been without a computer for two days now and couldn’t wait to see pictures of sweet tessa and hear how you’re doing. Hugs from blogland and huge congrats!
    Cathy

  17. On July 31st, 2008 at 3:01 pm Ellie Says:

    WoWWa… MoMMa… She is simply beautiful~ GREAT JOB~

    I was going to say, you sure can tell who her daddy is… But, someone already beat me to that!

    I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo happy for you, steve and Lil Miss S~

    Hugs to you all and congrats~

    Ellie

  18. On July 31st, 2008 at 3:17 pm Maris from AB Says:

    Michelle,
    this is the 3rd time I’ve come back to look at the picture of her laying on your chest with her chubby cheeks. That is the best picture! She is so beautiful! Congrats to all of you again!! =)

  19. On July 31st, 2008 at 4:39 pm Busy Mom Says:

    Hooray!! She is beautiful!

  20. On July 31st, 2008 at 4:41 pm Busy Mom Says:

    P.S. you’re right about the meds being worse than the pain.

  21. On July 31st, 2008 at 6:24 pm AndreAnna Says:

    Hey, congrats! Just popped by since I see you on Cass’s blog all the time and knew you were due around the time we all were.

    Tessa is absolutely gorgeous and I just want to eat her little face. So many newborns! The world is now brighter!

  22. On July 31st, 2008 at 7:56 pm Jess from FTC Says:

    Oh oh oh, she’s perfect! What a beautiful little angel. Congratulations to the new family of FOUR!

  23. On July 31st, 2008 at 10:18 pm Kim Says:

    I typically don’t think that newborns are very cute – but oh my – Tessa is beautiful!!! I’m sorry that it didn’t go quite like you planned, but I’m glad that everyone is here and healthy!!

  24. On July 31st, 2008 at 10:56 pm Sarcastic Mom Says:

    You are both so beautiful! I was all teary reading this.
    Enjoy yourself, and take care of yourself, too.
    Much love (let me know if I can help any!)
    Lotus:)

  25. On July 31st, 2008 at 11:17 pm Debbie Says:

    I promise to go back and read your whole post tomorrow when I’m awake but I wanted to say how cute she is. Congratz on your beautiful daughter. You are blessed.

  26. On July 31st, 2008 at 11:22 pm cindi Says:

    Hi Michelle!!

    Ok, I’m a little late to the party at #75 to comment, but no less the enthusiastic!! What an amazing story your blog tells the last few days (and I always am fascinated by birth stories…but BLOG birth stories are my new fav). I couldn’t be more thrilled for you, Steve, Sabrina, and of course, sweet baby Tessa. Enjoy it all. There’s nothing like the euphoria of falling in love those first few weeks. And yes, TAKE THE DRUGS. Pain and fatigue don’t go well together. Hugs to you all.

  27. On August 1st, 2008 at 1:25 am Karen Says:

    Ohhhh… she’s just so beautiful! I’m so sorry you ended up with the c-section, and apparantly, the same reaction to percocet that I had (mad me toss my cookies every single time they gave it me). I hope you heal up quickly.

    Enjoy that beautiful baby!!!

  28. On August 1st, 2008 at 3:50 am Vicki Says:

    Oh Michelle,
    How wonderful!! I’m so happy for you and Steve and Sabrina. Tessa is lucky to come into the world to such a great family.
    I’m just so very excited for all of you!! Seegs just sent me the address to your blog so I could see the pictures. I’m amazed that you could blog Tessa’s birth story and so thankful that you did. Hope the next few weeks bring swift and uneventful healing and a great beginning to your new family.
    Much love to you all.

  29. On August 1st, 2008 at 5:10 am Heather Says:

    Wow! Even when she’s crying she’s beautiful. That doesn’t happen for most of us females. Enjoy! Congratulations!

  30. On July 29th, 2011 at 12:24 pm Michelle Smiles » Blog Archive » Three, trois, tres Says:

    […] […]

  31. On July 29th, 2012 at 10:19 am Michelle Smiles » Blog Archive » Happy 4th birthday Tessa Says:

    […] can’t believe my baby is 4 today. The day she was born remains the highest traffic day in my blog’s […]

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