Month: November 2022

EEW: Week 3

Bath Time

Gigi has been unbelievably helpful to her entire family these past few weeks! We are so grateful to her for all she’s done to help our family. Tonight, she and Dave bathed Eloise while I caught up on the million other things that needed to be done.

Together At Last

When we finally made it home, it was one of those “all is right with the world” feelings. The joy of bringing Gigi and Eloise together is one of the most complete feelings I’d ever felt. I sat down in the chair in the nursery, and Gigi snuggled up on the floor to read to her new baby sister. A goal that had been in the works since the day we told her I was pregnant.

Let’s Go Home!

Wearing the exact same outfit (hat and all!) Gigi wore when we brought her home from the hospital.

We couldn’t wait to get Eloise home to meet Gigi, but somehow, it ended up taking us (read: me) forever to get ready and actually leave the hospital. The nurses and staff kept coming by to “check on” us and ask if we needed help with our bags. I’d just given birth — I felt well within my rights to take my sweet time! Dave did his best to keep his frustration with me to himself 🙂

Snuggled up, waiting for her Uber in the hospital lobby

It was a rainy, rainy day! It took a lot of time for the Uber to arrive, and when it did, the car was covered with dog hair… I wasn’t thrilled for my newborn baby’s first car ride to be rainy or hairy, but c’est la vie. We buckled in and I tried my best to ignore the fur clinging to my black pants and the car seat.

Meeting Papa Bob

After Papa Bob dropped Gigi at school, he came up to the hospital to meet Eloise.

He came back a second day, again, after he’d taken G to school. We kept it a secret from Gigi that he came to meet Eloise. It didn’t seem fair Gigi wasn’t able to come (and I let everyone in the hospital know it, too!)

The Next Morning

The next morning, we really felt like parents of two. The desire to be in two places at once was real, but, fortunately, Gigi was in the best of care with her Papa Bob. We also made sure to stay in touch with lots of FaceTime calls, and Dave stopped by the apartment that night to give Gigi a squeeze from all of us.

Such a joy getting to bear witness to Dave meeting his second child.
Our tiny love. So glad she’s here.
A selfie with my baby. So tired, but so happy.
Gigi, checking in on her baby sister!
Tired girls

Sisters!

The next morning, Gigi got to meet her baby sister!

Although it wasn’t the meeting we had envisioned (the hospital, due to Covid, has a strict ‘no kids’ policy). Georgia Grace was so proud and just thrilled that her baby had finally arrived. Saying that Eloise is so lucky to have her as a big sister feels like such an understatement. Gigi really will be the best big sister ever — I have every confidence.

Eloise Elizabeth Is Here!

Once Dave and I got to the hospital, we checked in and waited for our room to become available. Because we’d already come to the hospital twice thinking our baby girl was on her way, I didn’t feel certain it was going to happen… until the nurse brought us to our labor and delivery room. It was spacious, new, had a great city view, and was filled with medical devices and equipment that assured me baby girl’s arrival was imminent. I changed into my gown and socks, and waited for the nurse to return to take my vitals and place my IV.

Pausing for a selfie! Our last pic as parents of one.
I love these pics! Reminds me of one I took of Dave when we were waiting to be admitted to our room when Gigi was born. I promise he wasn’t as stressed as it appears!

We arrived at the hospital around 3pm that day. By 630pm, we were ready to get started. By 8, the pitocin was dripping, and contractions were coming. As with my labor with Gigi, the anesthesiologist placed the epidural very early into the process (so as to increase odds of success). Once the epidural was in place, the anesthesiologist came by every 20 minutes or so to test to make sure it was working. It took about an hour, but we finally realized that the epidural wasn’t going to be fully effective (again). And as the contractions got stronger, we realized just how ineffective the epidural would be: the upper part of my abdomen was FINE. The lower part – my belly button and below – was a different story: I felt EVERYTHING. I told Dr. Waterstone I was concerned because of my lengthy labor with Georgia Grace, but Dr. Waterstone assured me this time would be different, telling me, “This is your second baby — that baby is going to fall out!”

As midnight neared, the pain became unbearable. I truly, truly didn’t think I could handle it. But just as that thought entered my mind, Dr. Waterstone entered the room to let me know it was time to push: the baby was coming. I was very fortunate to have been my nurse’s only patient that night. She held my hand and cheered me on the entire time. Dr. Waterstone was also helpful to have on the team, encouraging me along, but my biggest advocate, supporter, and team member was Dave. His reassuring words and calm demeanor got me through it. 

Somewhere between 20 and 30 minutes of pushing later; and our sweet girl had arrived. Eloise Elizabeth was 7 pounds 8.6 ounces and 20 inches in length, perfectly healthy and absolutely beautiful. She was born 1:19 in the morning on Wednesday, August 9, and in that moment, our little family was finally complete.

Right away, I got to hold Eloise and it was love at first sight. I was so grateful for our baby who we had worked so hard to bring into the world. Eloise latched right away (and pretty much stayed put until we left the hospital). 

After the epidural wore off my legs enough for me to (sort of) stand, we were able to go up to our room. It was very late, but just like our first experience birthing a baby, we were met by a nurse who proceeded to spend an hour orienting us to the hospital and everything that lay ahead. When she finally left, we slept, exhausted but utterly overjoyed for our sweet baby girl’s safe arrival into the world.