Monday, October 8, 2012

Happy one week Ava!!

Ava's one week old!!
Today was her first doctor's check up. Weighing now 6.1lbs and 19 inches long, and going on strong. I couldn't be happier. Dr Hsu was so nice and Ava really enjoyed him. Didn't cry until he stuck the wooden stick in her mouth.

She has been an awesome baby. Eats and sleeps 2-3 hours. Night time she can stretch to 3.5-4 hours of sleep. I have to say I am pretty happy. Daddy is super happy. He claims his chest to chest is working haha!

I'm breastfeeding her and she's latching well. I began pumping to help my supply and also get ready for the future with work. Ava is an eating machine! She doesn't cry unless her diaper is wet or dirty. Last night Paul and I had the funniest moment ever. We decided to take Ava from our mom and watch her for the night. We changed her diaper literally 8 times. She would pee, then eat. Then pee, then lays there. Then pees again: this time we were like omg what is going on? Then she pooped, as Paul was wiping she squirted more! Omg we died laughing and then she continued to pee again. She just laid there staring at us like what?? Paul was like omg!! He's such a trooper. He changes her diaper and has conquered the swaddle. Better than me! Needless to say us three were in our bathroom laughing our heads off. Love my family!!

I have to say I cannot believe I have such a darling baby. I'm so in love. I cannot wait for more adventures with her. Love her.


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Welcome Baby Ava

She has arrived!!

On a fall day, October 1st to be exact, at 759pm, our sweet baby girl arrived weighing 5lbs 13 ounces and 18.5 inches tall.

We are so happy!!! We couldn't love anything/one more. Truly an amazing moment.

It all happened on October 1st in the early morning. I notice the days before my belly was hard as a rock. Was I having contractions?? Now that I know how they feel, no but lots of tightness. Then later around midnight, I noticed the baby started moving so much, but it felt very different. It went on for several hours and i couldn't sleep. I must have googled every forum and read blogs and sites about my symptoms. Over and over, I kept thinking is it time??

Finally, I heard a "pop." I quickly jumped out of my bed and ran to the bathroom. I went to the bathroom and noticed blood. I thought to myself, "YES!!" So I called my doctor and went over to Paul. Told him I was bleeding and the funniest thing, he jumped out and threw clothes on so fast I didn't even blink. Lol

Got the doctor's okay to head in and so we packed the car- this time I knew it was the last time putting my awaited suitcase in the car. My mother in law arrived a few days before, assuming baby would have came, and was there to help. She's been such an amazing help. Nice to get some time to spend with her, especially before the baby.

So we headed in, and I wasn't dilated or thinned. I'm thinking what!? Why??? Guess she wasn't ready. I was scheduled to be induce Wednesday the 3rd, and so they decided to just keep me in and induce me Monday.

We got into another room and got the "penthouse suite" so they say. Huge!! I was definitely feeling this is going to be a good delivery. I started feeling contractions. Kept practicing my breathing. Every contraction, my mil could see my face, she kept repeating "you can do it. No epidural." Haha I laughed and shook my head no. I was too scared to feel the major pain.

So up to 2-3 mins apart contractions, I got the epidural. Can I tell you it was heaven?? I was so relaxed and felt good, that I slept well. The doctor and nurse would check me and not much change would happen. I got a bit frustrated but I knew she would come. The pitocin medicine works. It wasn't as painful as people say, but the epidural kicked in before anything else.

So the doctor estimated that by 7pm she would arrive. Anxious, I kept looking at the clock. It was a relaxing waiting. Watched tv, napped a few times, talked with Paul and my mother in law. Lots of good stories about Paul as a baby. My family came all in the evening to see her but by 7pm, no baby.

I was wondering what's going on? Doctor Crawford came in and checked, only about 5cm dilated. He gave me this look like WTh? Lol he continued on saying, that he noticed her head is big. He assumed she must be a 7lb baby. To my shock, I was like oh dang. So he suggested a c-section.

So this whole 15 hours waiting thinking I'm going to have the baby vaginally. Prepared myself to accept that it was okay for months, and now a c-section??? I looked at Paul and was a bit scared. He held my hand and smiled at me. Everything is going to be okay. So we agreed and said do what you need to do because honestly I didn't want a ripped hole haha.

So, quickly the nurses prepped and pulled me away. My family all stood in a line. Giving me a hug, touch, hand as I was pushed away. It was like a farewell moment. I started to tear.
I got into the surgery room, first thought grey's anatomy where is mc steamy and mc dreamy??

My body shook from the anesthesia but I felt nothing so that was a good sign. As I layed there, I prayed and tried to relax. Paul came him. He rubbed my forehead and hair and comforted me and the show began. I didn't feel anything but just movements. It didn't hurt. I was kinda envisioning what was going on.

Next thing, I felt a big pull and I hear her crying. Paul's eyes got big and I could see his smile through them. He's so brave. I think I would have passed out, but he watched the whole thing with the camera ready in his hands. When he heard her smile, he got up and immediately followed her. He got to cut the cord and watch her being cleaned and taken cared of. As for me "hello!!" Just laying there. I could hear everything and her Ava's cry. I started to cry. The anesthesia guy wiped my tears and told me, she is beautiful. At this moment I wanted to tell the doctor "ok hold a sec. Stop trying to put me together and let me see my baby!" I think that was a hard part for me, but I could hear in Paul's voice he was so happy with joy. It comforted me.

After everything was said and done, she was in my arms. I have never seen anything more beautiful. I cannot believe this is mine! I cannot believe that 5lbs. miracle was just in me. I was in love.

As the nurses pushed me out to the room, the hallway was like a parade w a herd of people waiting. My whole family was cheering, holding they iPhones snapping away haha and telling me they loved me. I was so overwhelmed I cried again. Paul was walking with a huge cheese!! like he won first place. Such an amazing time in our life. I was in the recovery room for a little while so the family slowly came in to see the baby.

This has been such an amazing moment. The family is so happy. My brothers were so in love. My dad was happy and i could tell he was emotional. My mother in law was excited.. she kept saying grandma feed you fried rice! haha My aunts and uncles and friends were all there. It was truly one of the happiest days of my life.

Thank you to everyone who was texting and comforting me that day. It was a moment I will never forget!! It has been a little over 2 days now that she's here and she has been a great baby!! Paul and I cannot stop staring and holding her.

So our family now begins.. A new chapter. I cannot wait!!