First Week

I have so many photos from Chelsea's first week home that I can't even see straight much less comprehend composing that many individual posts.  So instead...a little hodgepodge.

Our pretty girl.

Daddy's girl...love the munched face.

Rocking with Pop.

Milk drunk.

Her first hair bow.  There will, of course, be many more.

Meeting Papa.

Chillin' with Uncle Mikey.

Sweet face.

Of course, 'The Boy' showered her with toys in her crib at home.

And chugged his trains along her crib.

Such a sleepy girl.

Sweet little hands.

Our first outing to see the pediatrician.

Meeting Dr. Hurwitz.

I'm glad it's not me.

Auntie Mariel came to visit and even changed a poopy diaper.

Getting a little sick of this train thing.

Love being home with our girl.

Welcome Home, Chelsea!

The next morning, we waited patiently to hear whether or not we could take our girl home.  We had some Starbucks, visited with family, let 'The Boy' bond with "Baby Sister".  My discharge orders were ready to go so we just needed Chelsea's billirubin levels to be within a normal range and then we'd be home free.

"I feed baby sister."

The littles with Gigi and Pop.

Chelsea and Grandma.

Finally, we got the good news.  We were all able to go home!  It was about 11:30 when we got discharge and by discharged I mean kicked out with a quickness.  Good riddance awful hospital.

This jacket and bonnet are what I wore to come home form the hospital. Too bad it was super hot out and she sweat the whole way home.

So sad that this came out blurry but I took it so quickly.  They were really rushing us.

Heading home with our newest addition.  I look like a serious train wreck!

Welcome home, Chelsea!

'The Boy' headed home with Gigi and Pop.  He wanted to go back to the hobspital.

My little helper.

"I want to kiss her!"

Chelsea's reaction to being home.

We are now all settled and so excited to see what adventures await our family of four.

Day 2 in the Hospital

When 'The Hubs' came to visit on Saturday, he took one look at our princess and said, "does she look a little yellow?"  He brought her to me and through my burning, exhausted eyes, I notice it, too.  And she didn't just look a little yellow.  She was super yellow and on her way to Big Bird yellow.

About an hour later, the pediatrician confirmed that she had jaundice because our blood types didn't match.  That meant she would need to be on a billi bed for 24 hours.  I was beyond emotional over it.  I would have to spend another night in the hospital...alone.  What was even more exciting was that the screaming baby next to us also had jaundice and had to stay as well. Boo!

My mom helped calm me down and helped me get my first post partum shower.  I put on my own nightgown and bathrobe and felt so much better.  I was able to suck it up and get through another day and night in, may I say, the most disastrous hospital in the universe.  Thankfully, Chelsea slept so well that night.  She was taking in so much formula to flush out the jaundice and it filled her belly real good.  I was so tired, that even though that other baby screamed the whole night long, I slept through it.

Working on her suntan.

Chelsea's First Day

Recovery was rough.  For both of us.  Our bodies had a hard time adjusting to the train wreck we had just been through.  The days in the hospital following her birth were emotional and trying, to say the least.
After the delivery, I continued with complete numbness to my right leg for about five hours.  I couldn't move and wasn't able to get to my postpartum room right away.   I ate lunch and drank what felt like a gallon of the most delicious apple juice that had ever crossed my lips.  I was able to sit up and felt comfortable again.

Then, I got a bit dizzy and short of breath.  I felt like I was going to pass out.  My blood pressure had bottomed out.  I had to lay on my side and just as I was going to tell the nurse I thought I may need some oxygen, I was out.  Asleep.  And I missed her first bath.  Thankfully, 'The Hubs' documented it for me.

I got to my post partum room sometime in the late afternoon and we visited with family.  I got up to use the restroom soon after and felt like I had been hit by a bus with the point of impact being the site of my epidural gone bad.  Nothing a little Vicodin couldn't fix.

Me and my girl.

The girls.

Daddy's girl already.

Meeting Mimi.

Hanging out with Pop.

Big brother was well entertained.

He even held his baby sister and asked if he could give her a kiss.

And then, for what I suppose will be the last time, he shared every toy he had with her.

The pink bear is from 'The Boy'.  He made it for her at Build-A-Bear.

Auntie Janelle came to visit and even went and got us dinner at McDonald's.  Thanks Janelle!

Eventually, visiting hours came to an end and it was just me and my girl.  I was ready for some special bonding time with her.  She was a great baby and didn't cry much and slept well.  Too bad the girl next to me was a not nice word and her baby never. stopped. screaming!

I was so thrilled when morning came and 'The Hubs' and 'The Boy' came back to visit.  I was so proud of myself for getting through the first night alone and was really looking forward to coming home.  Unfortunately, Chelsea had other plans.