There are lots of things I'd like to write about. Unfortunately I really don't have much time to spare on a daily basis. But let's start at the beginning: Joan's birth.
We were scheduled for a repeat c-section on the morning of May 20th at 8:30 am, and were told by the doctor to be at the hospital by 7 am. Everyone that was coming was here the day before: Josh's parents and sister, my mom and my aunt. We all went out to dinner to a fabulous restaurant and I enjoyed a big meal, the last as a pregnant mama.
The next morning we woke up bright and early to get ready to leave. I thought we would just leave without waking up Evan, so we wouldn't disturb him, but Josh got him so I could give him a kiss. I must admit, I was in a bit of a mood that morning. I guess mostly I was emotional, and I was focusing on the negatives of the situation: Evan won't be the only one anymore, will he be ok? And now I'm having surgery, and recovery is such a drag, and I'll never be pregnant again, or have this kind of beautiful belly; life will never be the same, having two kids so close together is crazy, how will I ever get anything done?, etc, etc... I was excited about meeting our little girl, but I was overwhelmed by the change in reality.
So we got to the hospital, found Labor and Delivery, and we told we were late already. The doctor said be there at 7 am, but they would have liked us to be there at 6:30 am. So they started prepping me right away. The OR nurse came by, the anesthesiologist came by, the anesthesiologist's assistant came by, the doctor came by, and soon enough it was 8:30 am and time to roll. So they took me to the OR and left Josh in the room while he got into his blue scrubs and they got me ready.
Getting a spinal tap was interesting. The only thing you really feel is the local anesthetic shot, but it's so close to nerves and bones that you really feel it, more than a shot anywhere else. Then you lie down and your legs start getting numb. Next was the catheter (and I'll spare you any details of that). In no time, as I was trying not to throw up, Josh was there next to me. I told the anesthesiologist I was getting really nauseous and he gave me something to ease the nausea. Good thing too, I was to the point where I was either going to try to throw up or pass out. Or it felt that way. It was just a few minutes before I started feeling that "pressure" they tell you you'll feel when they're pushing the baby out, though it really wasn't much pressure, it was far more light than I expected. The anesthesiologist's assistant told Josh it was time, and did he want to take a look. So he did. My husband saw my insides, just after they pulled Joan out.
I was waiting to hear her cry, and it took what felt like forever (surely just a couple seconds, though). Then I was starting to get really nervous, though trying hard to keep my cool and be patient. She was crying, or trying to cry, but there was so much fluid in her throat that it sounded as though she was drowning. I know it's very common with c-sections babies, but still it made me nervous. After a good 30 seconds she was crying normally, and I could breathe again.
I could see her from the distance, and Josh went to see her. After the pediatrician checked her, they were ready to take her outside. They showed her to me, and I gave her a kiss. And Josh and Joan went to our recovery room, to have some daddy-daughter, skin to skin time.
By the time they rolled me to the recovery room, Josh was happily enjoying his time with our girl, but also willing to hand her over so we could start breastfeeding. And as soon as our nurse gave us the ok, we did. And she's great at it.
Then we started the process of picking a name. We knew right away with Evan, but this time around it took us almost 4 hours to figure it out! But I think we decided on the perfect name. She's absolutely a Joan. Joan Elizabeth. Our beautiful little girl.
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