Monday 25 February 2008

A Week and A Day


Here are some of the photos we've taken during the week. It's been tough and sleepless these last eight days, but incredibly wonderful at the same time.


daddy's little girl - Pedro has been incredible

we toasted Isabella birth and homecoming with champagne

Monday 18 February 2008

MORE PICTURES




Birth and Recovery in Pictures






Family and Friends,

April is doing good in her recovery, and was already walking today. She will likely be released from the hospital tomorrow. It feels like she was just giving birth this morning, and I have had barely any time to spend in front of the computer, but I wanted to download some pictures and let you know a little bit about the birth of Isabella.

April started contractions shortly after writing her last blog entry on Friday evening, sometime around 6:30 p.m.. We thought that they were Braxton Hicks because there was no pain and they were barely noticeable. By 8:30 April went to bed and when I went to bed at 1140 April was already having painful contractions. We called the hospital and at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday morning we were driving through fog to the hospital. Shortly after arrival the midwife that examined April determined that she was already 5 to 6 cm dilated. April actually toughed out being that dilated without complaining or freaking out! She was very calmed the whole time on the way to the hospital and showed herself very brave. It was a long 6 hours before the midwives allowed April to give in to the urge to push and an hour later Isabella came out into this world. Isabella was a little to rough coming out and caused a type III tear on April (the worst tear a pregnant woman can suffer). It was at this time that I heard April scream for the first time since she had gone into labor; before or after, April just stayed focused and carried on with what I, to this moment, consider uncanny superhuman strength. Because of the tear, the doctor decided to have April taken into the operating room for reconstructive surgery and stitching. After a 1 and a half hour procedure, April came out in high spirits and happy to be reunited with our daughter.

So, Isabella is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. Every time I see her she is somehow changed, the color of her hair seems to change from strawberry blond, to light brown, to red. I spent the day today (18 Feb) visiting with April and Isabella. The visiting times were arranged in such a way that I was able to spend every other two hours with them from 10 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.. April wanted me to convey her thanks to all of you and to let you all know that she appreciates all of your gifts, get well wishes and comments.

Sunday 17 February 2008

BIRTH DAY!!!!!

We are very Proud to Announce that our baby daughter, Isabella Aida, was born on February 17, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. weighting 8.2 lbs. April suffered some tearing and is recovering well at the hospital. April, Isabella and I send our love to all of you and I will be posting some pictures as soon as I get some time to mess with the computer. April and Isabella should be getting back from the hospital by Tuesday.

Saturday 16 February 2008

+1

We're still waiting, still walking, still impatient - I've had three people looking expectantly at me all day. Don't mind that little baby countdown ticker to the left - for some reason it's beginning to count UP, obviously freaked out by the fact that I've gone past my due date. I have been having some Braxton-Hicks contractions this evening though, so I hope to take that as a good sign since I hadn't had ANY before. Now I'm off to try some acupressure.

Friday 15 February 2008

40 Weeks...



...and not even a Braxton-Hicks contraction. After accidentally sleeping through my midwife appointment yesterday, I got to see her today - much to my disappointment - I had been hoping that I'd have given birth by now. BUT today is, after all, my official due date. I now have exactly seven days to produce a baby before more invasive measures are taken to coerce her out. I'm extremely puffy and increasingly uncomfortable. I'm denying our public the last belly picture because my face looks like a marshmallow with humanoid features. The photo you see above was taken this morning after my appointment. Keep sending out your birthing vibes!

Thursday 14 February 2008

Not a Valentine's Baby...

No baby...yet. So far, most people have seem to think this baby is coming out by tomorrow - I hope you're right! Technically, this could still go on for a while!

Sunday 10 February 2008

Friday 8 February 2008

39 Weeks

This week's belly shot was taken at the end of the day, just as I was about to go to bed! I had a bit of a scare earlier when I realized in late afternoon that I hadn't really noticed the baby moving all day. She almost always responds if I rub or push my belly or if Pedro talks directly to her, but she didn't budge after numerous (and increasingly frantic) attempts. So we rushed over to the community clinic to get someone to check out the baby's heartbeat and my vitals just to make sure everything was fine. Of course, as soon as a doctor put the cold jelly to my navel, the baby started moving. That sense of terror and helplessness that proceeded the visit was terrible, though. I cannot say enough how thankful I am that I can just walk into the clinic and get seen right away without having to mess around with insurance paperwork or other bureaucratic concerns. It's hard to believe that almost ten months of pregnancy have passed and we're about to have a baby. I'm including a photo of the positive pregnancy test that I took all the way back on June 26th, 2007 - the very first of many exciting surprises for us!

Sunday 3 February 2008

38 Weeks

After Pedro's company "holiday" party