Quinto día de Lydia

Day five finds the Brown family adjusting nicely to its new rut. Rowan was particularly happy this morning when we arrived at school, for there were two red fire engines out front. It seems one of the children had an allergic reaction to something they ate which clearly requires a minimum of two emergency vehicles. Rowan's initial excitement was dampened when he found that Lola was not in class today, as she was home with a stomach ailment. Poor Lola, we hope you're better soon.

Our home care nurse visit was this afternoon and we found that Lydia gained 4 oz. since yesterday! Her weight was a little low compared to her birth weight, but now it all checks out fine. The nurse was also mighty impressed with her hat, which awkwardly is not shown in the above photo. The photo's hat is similarly cute so it has been substituted.

Marmie, Papa, Major Skffington, Fitzy, and George all returned to Indy today after a helpful visit begining the day before Lydia's arrival. As Angela said in a prior post, all played a big part in Lydia's arrival and I'd like to add my own thanks to them. I would most like to thank Marmie for her support of us in the delivery room and Joe for making a kick-ass chicken pot pie for the Superbowl.

Day Four with Lydia

Lydia has spent 4 days with us and so far she fits well into our daily routine. She demonstrates a keen ability to eat, sleep, and be cuddled. For the past 21 months our favorite pastime has been watching baby-TV, and she has given us a whole new channel of entertainment.

Lydia had her new baby checkup at our pediatrician this morning and was given high scores for her lack of jaundice and acceptable measure of weight loss. We thought she may have had a heat rash, but it turns out the small red bumps she has are related to the hormones swimming around in her bloodstream. This common occurrence should pass soon. She measured 20 inches in length compared to 21 at birth, so either baby measurement is an inexact science or she shrinking. Even so, at 20 inches she's in the 75th percentile. We'll have another checkup at two weeks so we'll be able to make another observation of this fascinating phenomenon.

Rowan and Lydia

One of the big questions prior to Lydia's arrival was how Rowan would feel about his new sibling. Both Angela and I were thinking he would be none too fond of this new sink for his parent's time and attention. Is it possible that he might start punching Lydia as most older siblings are inclined to do? Yes, we're talking about your Scott and Adam.

Rowan was indeed unsure about Lydia and did have a mighty cry when he saw Mommy feeding her, but since then he's started to warm up to his little sister. We were able to get them together for this photo shoot where Rowan hugged and kissed her. He has also attempted to give her a pacifier, offered her cheese, and said "Bye Bye Lydia" on the way to bed. With this successful start we will start working on Rowan's abilities to change her diaper, give baths, and do laundry. We're looking forward to how these two grow up together and hope that the fact is being documented on the blog won't give them a complex.

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!