Friday, August 28, 2009

My Birth Experiences - A Side By Side Comparison

I am so thankful to God for both of my birth experiences, because they make me the woman I am today. Thought it might be interesting to compare the two, side-by-side and blow-for-blow.
Laboring with Lilly: Notice my one pillow I dragged to the hospital with me, the IV in my right arm, the hospital gown I'm wearing, and the machines and monitors I'm connected to. 12 hours of pitocin and oxygen masks, lying in bed. (This picture was taken right when I arrived at the hospital.)
Laboring with Everett: Notice I'm wearing what I'm most comfortable in, the lighting is nice, I've got lots of comfy pillows, I'm drinking what I want when I want, and there isn't a needle in sight.
Lilly's delivery: I pushed for almost 3 hours because I didn't labor down, never ever felt the urge to push, just purple-pushed when a monitor told me to. OB cut an episiotomy without ever telling me. First hands to hold her were the OB's and nurse's, First thing she laid on was a chux pad, and I look just a little disconnected and stunned.
Everett's delivery: Labored down (trying to buy time for the midwife to arrive!), pushed for about 17 minutes. I only pushed when I felt the urge, sometimes strongly, sometimes more gently. This allowed plenty of time for natural stretching, so no tearing and certainly no episiotomy. First hands to touch him were mine. The feeling can best be described as glorious elation, and I think Frank's face speaks louder than words.Lilly's first bath: Under a warmer, given by someone we don't know. Lilly cried the whole time.
Everett's first bath: A warm, candle-lit, herbal bath with Mommy. Daddy washed his hair. He was calm and alert.Lilly's Vitals: 7lb, 4oz 18 1/2 inches long

Everett's Vitals: 9lb, 9oz 21 1/2 inches long (And doesn't that look way more cozy than the flat scale?)

Happy 3rd Birthday, Lillian Cate!

I'm so thankful for my beautiful, smart, stubborn, silly, precious, loving, prayerful, honest, funny, perfect little girl. I'm so proud of the person she is, and who she is becoming. Mommy loves you, birthday girl!

Lillian Cate Rebarchik on August 25, 2006
Lillian Cate Rebarchik on August 25, 2007Lillian Cate Rebarchik on August 25, 2008Lillian Cate Rebarchik on August 25, 2009

Working Mommy and Other Randomness

We planned very carefully (with the Lord's blessing) when we would like to have our second child, and because of that I strategically avoided being big-pregnant in the summer AND ended up with 5 1/2 months of maternity leave. I somehow thought having a long maternity leave would make returning to work easier. It has not. My time home with them has been wonderful, especially over the last six weeks or so, that it has really broken my heart to go back to work on a regular basis. Fortunately, I work with some really amazing people, so my time away is filled with good conversation, laughter, and purposeful work. So, all that to say it has been a difficult transition back for me, but we are settling in nicely. The kids are back at Tassie's house, and love it. In another week or so, Lilly will start preschool... that's a whole other post in itself! Say tuned.

Here are a few pictures, just to catch up. They aren't at all related to the post. I know, I'm random.
Aren't they beautiful! Lilly's wearing princess panties, a long-sleeved pajama shirt, and a swimsuit. Quite the fashionista.
As of August 5, Everett can sit up on his own! Way to go, big guy! On the 26th, learned to log-roll as a form of transportation. That's right, folks. Our little man is mobile!