So What Did You Do This Week? I Had A Baby!

As some of you may have heard already, we had our beautiful baby girl this week! Big surprise! I woke up Sunday morning with a "stomach ache" that Tylenol wouldn't cure, and was tracking contractions by noon and into the hospital by one. Iris Helena joined us at 1:02 AM- suffice it to say, this labor was quite a bit different from my 5 hour Riley labor! We got to hold her once before she was taken away to the nursury, then the Special Care Nursery, and then to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). She's early, obviously, so her lungs are a bit under developed, and she also has a stubborn case of pnemonia. We haven't been able to hold her since that first time, which is pretty hard to take, and it's so difficult to see her covered in wires.

She was born 19 inches long, 5 pounds and 13 ounces, and full of sass! The NICU nurses tell us that she has no difficulty making her wishes known, even under all the sedation! We named her Iris, thinking that such a sweet and gentle name would rub off- but it looks like we have another Riley on our already full hands! We're so excited for her to get better so we can take her home. Riley doesn't understand why she can't see her, and it's causing her some stress, I think. Iris's antibiotics will take 7 to 10 days to run their course, and then we need to concentrate on getting her lungs up to scratch, and then we'll be able to bring her home. So, sometime between 2 weeks to a month. I'm optimistically thinking it will be 2 weeks to the day.

Thank you so much to all the people who helped and supported us while I was in the hospital, and who are continuing the help now that I'm out. (By the way, I feel fantastic!) We appreciate it more than we can express. It was so nice not to have to worry about Riley on top of everything else! Thank you!

I Have A Strong and Passionate Spirit

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

All Right, Already....

I've been waiting on Eric to get me access to the pictures we took, not only while at the cabin a while ago, but on other fun outings. It's yet to happen. I haven't posted about the cabin, or much else, because I wanted to include pictures. Alas. I'll get them eventually and post them, but it's not happening now.

We had a great time! Huge thanks to Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Gerry- they are so generous and kind. We really appreciate it! Also, thanks to the plethora of babysitters who also made this little trip possible for us. It was a much needed and appreciated vacation. As predicted, we got down there and didn't do much... by choice. Eric fished and I read- he felt bad and was so concerned that he was ditching me. I kept trying to get him out of the cabin so I could get back to my book! I didn't feel abandoned at all. We brought steak and potatoes- one of my favorite meals- and actually ate together! That hasn't happened for a while.

Eric fished again in the morning, and we trekked to the Burger Barn for lunch- delish. And then- dun, dun, dun..... Eric taught me to fly fish. I should say "taught", in that I "learned"- heavy sarcasm. It was much more fun than I thought it would be, and I did actually catch a fish... on accident. Eric took a picture of me casting as proof for all you scoffers, which I was excited to post. Maybe later. I really did enjoy it, but the idea of spending enough time at it that I'll look as smooth and confident as Eric is kind of daunting. He's a pro.

We went into Duck Creek to buy a frozen pizza after that, and ate it in front of a fire. How nice. A good time was had all around, and we left much too early so that I could get home in time for Emmylou. Thanks again to everyone who made it possible!