Daddy's Little Girl

Jeff was also somewhat helpful during the birthin' on Friday. After they broke my water around 1, the contractions started getting really painful. I asked them to please send the drug lady in ASAP, but in the meantime, we had to think back to our Birthin' School training about how to manage the pain. As I was taking deep breaths, I was trying not to completely crush Jeff's hand. The Pain Management lady finally came, and was just about to start putting the line in my back when she was called away next door for some emergency intervention. I had to sit upright, very still, looking out the window, and once again, Jeff was able to step in and volunteer his hand for crushing duty.

After what seemed like forever, Pain Lady finished up my epidural and I was able to get some relief, but not as much or as quickly as we were expecting. Turns out, thanks to all the delays, I was already pretty well along by the time the drip started, and therefore the medicine wasn't going to fully "catch up" with the pain. It turned out to be fine – most of the pain was taken care of, and I was still able to feel and move my legs and was aware of other sensations during the birth that I hadn't experienced during Rowan's.

After we got settled in our recovery room, Jeff had to drive home to check in on Rowan, who was feeling mighty poorly. He came back to spend the night in the uncomfortable chair next to me and help with Lydia. Then on Saturday, Rowan's fever increased and he threw up, so Jeff had to take him to the doctor and ended up staying with our poor little guy (who has an ear infection) most of the day. Lydia and I had a very relaxing day of eating, sleeping and watching mass quantities of HGTV.



After spending another uncomfortable night in the chair, Jeff is more than ready to take me and our new little girl home where the beds are comfy and we can hang out with Rowan, who must be starting to forget he ever had a mommy.

Proud Grandparents Much?

Here's Marmie and PaPa posing with their third granddaughter. They don't look too happy about the new addition, do they? I don't know what we would have done if they hadn't been able to come over and help us during this exciting time.

Mom was there with me and Jeff for the birth, just like she was for Rowan. Then, right before I due to start pushing, we got word from Emilee that Rowan was sick at school with a fever and she was going to pick him up and take him home. Which thank God Emilee was able to help us take Rowan to and from school yesterday – what a good friend!

And thank God also for PaPa, who was able to be at home and take care of Rowan in his time of need. They sat in front of the TV and watched some Yo Gabba Gabba and Sesame Street while I was here pushing out his new baby sister.

Thank you, my Support Team, for jumping in and helping – it was kind of a hectic afternoon, but I think we can agree it was all worth it when you look at that little apple-faced girl in the photo above!

Introducing Lydia Rose Brown

Lydia Rose Brown was born at 3:18 p.m., weighs 7 lbs., 14.5 oz., 21 inches long, curly black hair, and blue eyes. The delivery went smoothly and once Angela made it to 10cm, Lydia was out in about 10 minutes. Lydia has taken to eating quite well and is resting comfortably on Mommy. Both Mommy and Daddy are relieved that pregnancy and delivery is over and we can start being with our new little girl.

Smooth and Steady: Now with Updates!

Going on hour 3 since arrival and it's been pretty relaxing for me, the Birthing Command Center Commander. I've watched some ESPN, checked my Facebook page, and ate a bag of potato chips. It's not all fun and games though, I had to go back down to the van to get Angela's overnight bag for her fluffy white socks. The things I do for her.

Angela has been having contractions 3 minutes apart, and on a scale of one to ten, her pain level has been at two. They just upped her dosage of pitocin so maybe things will be getting more exciting soon. You can see that she's also been relaxing in front of her Mac and reading Go Fug Yourself.

11:45 Update: Angela can't decide if the labor is becoming more painful, or if she's just hungry.

1:00 Update: Breaking News! Angela's water has been broke, she's 4-5 cm dialated, and the contractions are becoming more painful.

2:40 Update: Epidural went in at 2:15 and relief is here. Angela was 8 cm at 2:15.

2:55 Update: And we've hit 10 cm. She's ready to come!

And So It Begins

Here's a photo prior to our departure this morning. As you can see, we're well prepared with our bags full of computers, cameras and chargers. As I type this from what I'm calling Birthing Command Center Alpha, we have full access to the internets. Angela is all hooked up to the machines that go BING. She was given her initial drip of pitocin at 9:00 and she should start feeling the magic happen within the hour. They will control the dose so she reaches 2-3 minute contractions. No telling yet when Tiberia will be arriving, but Angela is currently dilated 3cm, which is one more than she was on Monday.

Things Jeff Won't Miss About Being Pregnant

It seems there's undue focus on how Angela has been feeling and not enough about how I've been coping with the pregnancy. I've compiled a list of things I will and will not miss about these last 41 weeks.

Things I will not miss:

• Sleeping next to a Vampire (Angela's propped up sleeping position)
  
• Guilt associated with drinking delicious beer in her presence
• Seeing Angela go through months of nausea
  

Things I will miss:

• Automatic designated driver
• Pregnant Mother Parking
• Satisfying thump of a pregnant belly
• Concrete evidence of my manliness
• Leaving work for baby doctor appointments
• Being able to use the name Tiberia

It's been rough on me for sure, but hopefully by this time tomorrow we'll be celebrating the arrival of our daughter and the beginning of our new life.

Things I Won't Miss About Being Pregnant

Currently, Jeff and I are anticipating that there will be no more babies produced from the Barr-Brown Marriage Alliance. As a result, I have been trying to think of the things I will and will not miss about being pregnant, in order to fully appreciate the experience before it's over for good.

Things I Will Not Miss:

1. Wearing the above red pregnancy coat
2. Panicking every time I feel a sneeze coming on
   
3. The nighttime heartburn that dictates sleeping sitting up
4. Not being able to drink
5. Having to watch every little thing I eat or else gain ten pounds in a week
6. Feeling conspicuous out in public because of my huge gut
7. Baby feet in my ribs
8. Breathing like a fat guy
9. The general, all-over bodily discomfort
   
10. Not being able to pick up Rowan and carry him
    

Things I Will Miss:

1. Having an excuse to not have to pick up Rowan and carry him
2. Feeling the baby squirming around inside
3. Having people ask how I'm doing and having them be all sympathetic and stuff
4. Using exhaustion/nausea/impending birth as an excuse to skip exercise
5. The improved complexion and hair
   
6. Rowan blowing raspberries on, laughing at, and patting my huge gut (although theoretically, my stomach could still be this size after I leave the hospital)
7. The excitement and anticipation of creating a new person for our family