You're Beautiful and You're Here! WOW! What a different but equally wonderful experience your arrival was! No long labor or crazy long bouts of sleeping the day away. Everything moved quickly and smoothly, and after a few very short hours you were in my arms. Your daddy and I checked into the hospital about 6:15. The nurses were a little frantic because we were late, but once they realized that Dr. Shattuck did all my "blood work" at my last appointment they calmed down. Everyone was very nice and I was SUPER excited. I did not sleep much during the nite because I was so afraid that we would oversleep and be really late. I changed into my hospital gown and got into the bed. Then daddy and I took a few pictures so that you could see what we looked like while we were waiting for you. We filled out a bunch of paperwork and made lots of small talk with the three different nurses that were taking care of us. The nurse told me that I was having contractions that were only 5 minutes apart, but I could not feel anything. Then things really started to get moving. The surgical nurse, Denise, came in and said that things were about to move very quickly because the lady in the next room was also Dr. Shattuck's patient and she was about ready to start pushing. So she grabbed my IV stand, put up the arms on the bed, and started to wheel me out the door. And even though it was not my first c-section, I was still a little nervous. But, I knew that your daddy would be in there with me, and that you would be here soon, so I let all the fear go. When we got into the OR it was VERY cold!!! I remember that from last time....I wonder why they keep it so cold. Anyhow, they had not given me an epidural yet, so I was able to climb onto the surgery table by myself. That was nice. They had me sit up on the table with my feet hanging down on either side. Then the doctor came in to give the epidural. He was a tall friendly man and he was joking with all the nurses, everyone was in a very good mood. That made me feel nice and relaxed. I was very worried about the pain of the epidural. When I had your sister I was all doped up on other painkillers when they did the epidural, so I didn't feel a thing. And now the time was here. The doctor told me to hunch my back and be as still as possible. This was very hard because I was shaking like crazy from the cold. The nurses helped me to make my back very round and helped to keep my body still. Next thing I know he said "okay, all done!" I was amazed....I didn't feel anything! I told him what a good job he did and he wished us good luck. Then the nurses gave me some medicine to stop the shaking and asked if I could feel warmth moving up my body starting with my toes. I told them yes and they said it was time to begin. They laid me back and began setting up all the drapes. I could hear two of the nurses counting and checking all the instruments and tools that Dr. Shattuck would need for the surgery. Then they let your daddy come in. I was happy to see him. He was all covered in his little surgery clothes, but he was upset because they made him wear a girl hat. I think he still looked cute! Dr. Shattuck came in, said hello, and asked if I was ready to start. I told her absolutely! As things got started I saw the nursery nurse standing just to my left behind your daddy. She was ready with a blanket in hand. The anesthesiologist's nurse was standing at my head and kind of giving me a not-to-gruesome play-by-play. She would lightly stroke my forehead and hairline as she talked to me and that felt good. After about a minute, everyone asked if I was ready. Dr. Shattuck said "get ready," and the nurse told me, "okay, a little bit of pressure," and then nothing happened. So Dr Shattuck waited a few more seconds and then said, "okay here we go," and the nurse said, "now, a little bit of pressure," and again nothing happened. Then I heard Dr. Shattuck say, "Denise, get the vacuum please," and your daddy leaned in and said, "I think she's stuck." Dr. Shatuuck apparently used the vacuum and then said, "okay, for real this time," and the nurse said, "a little bit of pressure," and then I heard you cry! Dr. Shattuck lifted you out, called you short and fat, and handed you to the nurse. She brought you over to me so that I could see you and then whisked you off to the warming station. It was amazing, you looked EXACTLY like your sister! I felt like I was experiencing some major de ja vu! Then, while the nurse was checking you out and making sure everything was okay, I started to feel very sick. I let the nurse know and she gave me some medicine. They let me know that everything was good, and then your daddy took you to the nursery. Dr. Shattuck still had to finish up, so I just closed my eyes and rested. When she finished they wheeled me back to my room, and we made a quick "roll-by" the nursery. Memmie, Grandpa, Pappa, Grandma, Lauren, Andy, and your sister were all standing at the nursery window watching. Your daddy was in with you and the nurse was getting you all cleaned up. She held you up for me to see, and I couldn't wait to get to hold you. That was the first time that I noticed all your beautiful hair!!! It was dark and your head was covered. I think it is my favorite part of your newborn appearance. I waited in the room until they were finished with you in the nursery. Dr. Shattuck came in and told me how you were stuck and she had to cut some of my muscle, but that everything should heal just fine. Finally they brought you to me. You were VERY tiny, much smaller than your sister, and you snuggled up to me right away. I was so happy....I love you very much!
