Lucy's Hospital Story

You asked for it, so here you go.  This is the story of one of the most amazing days of my life and the few that followed it.

And if I haven't mentioned it yet, I really LOVE Lucy! {and those aren't just the hormones talking}

We arrived at the hospital close to 6:00 am.  We were supposed to be there at 5:30, but I just couldn't get going that morning.  I had spent the night before curled up in a ball on the floor pushing on, what I thought was Lucy's rear end, begging her to stop moving like that.  Well, it wasn't her rear, those were mild contractions.  How was I to know?  With Jack my water broke and I went from 0 to 60 flat with contractions.  With Maggie...absolutely nothing.  It had been a while.

After I got set up in the hospital and played the "waiting for my turn in the O.R." game, my contractions intensified.  Like a whole lot!  I was breathing through them, crumpled over in pain, and about to start cursing my husband {just like in the movies}.  It was not pretty.

But on the flip side, how excited was I that Lucy picked the same exact day that I did?  Kindred spirits I must say!

I began to feel suspicions that my water was about to break.  Once the nurses saw my contractions on the monitor they informed Dr C and all that waiting on blood work etc. was forgotten.  I was immediately taken to the O.R. room where my water broke right as  I was stepping up on the table.  One very quick epideral later and Lucy was born at 8:39 am.

First words out of the Drs mouth's were, "that's a good sized baby" and "she is definitely a Lucy".  {Dr C always knows how I question the gender until I see it for myself}.

Lucy was indeed a good sized baby...9lbs 1oz 20 inches.  She is my biggest as of date, actually ever {by 2oz, but my shortest}.  And boy did she scream...a lot.  More than the other two combined.  I can't lie when I say it made me a bit nervous.

Until...they placed her sweet cheek up against mine.  Instantly she stopped and all in both of our worlds was never the same.  She stole my heart in that moment.  Pure love...it is truly amazing and such a blessed gift.  I'll say it again...I really LOVE Lucy.

{and this is as big as this picture is going to get...my, my I had no clue how wrinkly I had gotten in my old age--and unfortunately, b&w doesn't hide the wrinkles either--I tried}

We spent the next five days in the hospital.  I was ready to go home after four.  But, Lucy needed to stay and be on the bililight.  She was slightly jaundiced.  I felt like my days of holding and snuggling my newborn without interruptions were robbed right out from underneath me.  So disappointing.  So I just stared at her {a lot} and spent many moments hovering over her with my hand on her chest.  I did sneak her out more than once {probably why the process was prolonged}.  But, I am happy to say, she is jaundice free and home and healthy.

Between bililight treatment, she met lots of family.  The most important being her new big sister and big brother.  Maggie was very unsure, but also very intrigued initially.  She wanted Jack to do the touching while she watched from a distance with her hands glued to her upper body.  Over time Maggie realized that Lucy wasn't going to bite and then fianally she wanted her turn for some little sister love.

Jack, on the other hand, was an immediate pro.  Big brother jumped into his role like he was born to play it {which i'm guessing he was}.  He cooed in Lucy's ear, introduced himself, told her how pretty she was, and oooohed an ahhhed over her.  He is seriously the most amazing big brother.

He even talked me into feeding Lucy her first bottle....of formula at that.  I couldn't resist his sweet request.  

Big Brother and big sister repeatedly asked for their "turn to hold Lucy".  Lucy was such a sport.  Not one complaint out of her.  Praying that she stays this easy going!

And just like that we were a Family of 5!  The Fab 5...Party of Five...Fivetastic!  Life has changed.

And speaking of five, we finally headed home on day 5.  Lucy wore her "going home" best.  And I, as an adrenaline rushed, totally enamored  Momma, could not quit loving all over her.

And Mommy and Daddy proudly walked out with the newest addition to our family.  This is the calm before the storm. {and in no way am I implying anything with Lucy herself, it's a family affair:}

Thanks for sharing in our big hospital stay and the beautiful birth of lovely Lucy.  We feel absolutely blessed beyond words {and sooooo tired}.  Be patient with our updates.  They will come...

Welcoming Lucy

We welcome with immense love our newest addition...

Lucille "Lucy" Elizabeth Cibula

August 23, 2012 8:39 am

9lbs 1oz

20 inches

Lots of sweet pink details coming when we get back on track around here.

Do I Look Ready?

Tomorrow is the day.  The big day we meet Lucy.  There were certainly moments in the last week or so that I thought she might have plans of her own.  But, so far baby girl has held out for her planned c-section date.  Virgo baby it is after all.

Before Maggie's birth I was filled with so many emotions.  I knew I wanted her, I knew I couldn't wait to meet her, but I was down right scared.  I would have stayed pregnant another year had I been given the choice.  Once she arrived, all that changed in an instance.  

This time, I couldn't feel more different.  I am soooooo ready to not be pregnant.  Goodbye swollen ankles,  goodbye ridiculously painful heartburn, goodbye insomnia, goodbye 30lb bowling ball under my shirt, and speaking of shirt...goodbye maternity clothes.  {note I didn't say goodbye stretchy waistband yoga pants}.

But the most substantial difference this time,  I'm not scared.  A little anxious, yes, and still wondering how I will mange THREE loves.  But, totally ready to meet this sweet bundle of pink joy.  I can't wait to have that overflow of motherly love that consumes you until exhaustion takes over.  I can't wait to spend days in the hospital just bonding with Lucy while she snuggles her little newborn head up under my chin.  I can't wait to smell her, count her fingers and toes, and swaddle her up in pink.  

Yes, I'm actually ready this time.  Most importantly mentally, but also technically.

My suitcase is packed {with lots of pjs and one, "I hope I can fit into this outfit" to go home}. 

Lucy's bags are ready to go {and so preciously girly}.

Lucy has "hello brother" and "hello sister" gifts ready to give her doting siblings at the hospital.

And seriously...do I look ready or what?  I don't think she could fit another ounce on her if she tried.

Welcoming baby Lucy tomorrow around 7:30 am...send us your prayers.

Happy Birthday Grandma

We celebrated Grandma's birthday this weekend.  All she really wanted was for Lucy to arrive on August 18th, instead she got a lake day.  Complete with grandchildren, homemade birthday cake and some really cute gifts.

Since the weather has cooled down a bit, my kids were slightly reluctant to take a dip.  Clay was able to coax Jack in with the idea of a raft and a paddle.  I still don't think Jack ever even got his hair wet!

Maggie on the other hand would not even consider it unless Mommy got in.  And well, Mommy is really pregnant.  So I decided a bathing suit and 39 weeks pregnant just don't mix {especially in public}.

Yes, I felt awful.  But, Maggie entertained herself nicely on the docked boat.  And it wasn't long before Jack joined her and they went "adventuring in their imaginations".  A couple stops included swimming with the dolphins {this is really Jack's thing right now}, an iceberg to play with penguins, a race to escape a giant walrus, and a swamp cruise.  Rarely do my kids get bored.  Overtired yes, bored, not really.

But the best part, and the whole reason we made the lake trip, was to celebrate Grandma.  It's been a looooong time since we have been able to do that in person.  It's usually a mailed gift and a phone call.  This was so much better.

We sang her Happy Birthday, had a great homemade lunch filled with salads-chicken, pasta, spinach, and potato, and Grandma opened her gifts {and yes, in that odd order}.  Maggie had a great time helping to pick out Grandma's goodies. They both love shiny and sparkly.

The favorite homemade part of lunch though was the cake.  Maggie and I baked it while Jack was at school on Friday.  Maggie was so super fascinated that when it went in the oven it was near white and when it came out it was tan {I really need to bake with her more often}.  But she had a blast using the mixer and breaking the eggs. {I warned everyone to watch out for egg shells}.  Everyone luckily survived.

In true Maggie fashion, she wanted pink icing.  Jack said Grandma's favorite color was green, so we compromised.

We saved the cake decorating for after school on Friday.  I drew an icing line down the middle and gave each kid a side to decorate.  And wouldn't you know...they did the same exact thing!  Now, if I hadn't drawn that line there would have been a battle.  Go figure.

So the finished product was all pink with green icing polka dots and strawberries.  The kids wanted sprinkles but I couldn't stand the thought so we opted for strawberries and it was delish!

Yum!  I'm pretty sure the kids agreed.  Happy Birthday Grandma!  Next up is Lucy's Birthday!