Friday, February 27, 2009

First Day Home and Introductions!

Dear Isabelle,

You are finally home with us! It feels so good to be home. We introduce your fur sister to you. Zoë is sooo gentle...she approach the carseat very slowly and gently. She also kissed you behind your ear and you squirmed...hahahah...so cute and we see a little smile across your face.

You did very well that night! Slept through the night with no crying and only waking up for feedings. Mommy and Daddy are still trying to get the hang of taking care of you...we are learning. We learn that if you cry, we better figure out what is bothering you NOW or in 2 minutes, you will go into full blown SCREAMING fit! Give us a chance, Isabelle!

Love, Mom

Hospital Experience & Recovery

After being in the Recovery Room for a couple of hours, I was wheeled into the post partum section of Labor and Delivery. Apparently, February 24th was a very busy day at post partum because all the regular rooms were filled up. So we were upgraded to one of the Deluxe rooms! It was a little bigger than the regular room and more comfortable for Alex and I. I was put on an IV drip for the next 2 days.

We had sooo many flowers delivered, gifts and visitors! Dan and Micah came the evening of the first day. Although I know I looked like hell, but I was happily welcoming visitors to break up my mundane day. Audeline and Connie came on Wednesday afternoon during lunch and Chef came in the evening. He brought Isabelle the most beautiful gift of Dior! I am a little scared because he is starting her off on the wrong foot! Her daddy now has to work extra hard to buy her all the luxuries. Janet also came to visit on Tuesday and Wednesday evening. She had a good time playing with Isabelle! She also helped doggysit Zoë for us, which we are very appreciative of as I am paranoid of doggy kennels.

Isabelle did not leave our room the whole entire time...if she needed to leave for tests etc, Daddy would follow her. He kept a very watchful eye on her. The protectiveness has already started! She was very good during her stay at the hospital. We started breastfeeding in the recovery room and it seems she is a natural at it. It was Mommy who had a lot to learn! Our nurses and helpers who tended to us were all super nice! They made our stay very pleasant. The food of course wasn't good...but Dan made us a filet mignon take out on Thursday! I was starving as I was on a clear liquid diet for the whole of Tuesday and half of Wednesday.

Although our stay at the hospital was a pleasant one, I couldn't wait to get home so after Dr. Bhadauria and Dr. Lee checked us and Dr. Pang checked Isabelle, we were deemed healthy and was able to get discharged on Thursday evening. I was admitted to the hospital at around 4:30 am, Tuesday, February 24 and discharged at around 6:30 pm, Thursday, February 26. That's not bad for a emergency c-section patient!

I was quite uncomfortable for the first few being home due to soreness and bruising around the incision site but have been slowly recovering and feeling better and better each day! It's good to be home and to be eating home cooking by Daddy.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Fast Forward >>>> Isabelle Alexis' Birth Story

The little drama queen been breeched since 36 weeks. I've done EVERYTHING to get her to flip but to no avail. Anyways, we scheduled a c-section for Monday, Mar. 2 and on Monday, Feb. 23, we had an OB appointment to discuss the c-section. Everything went well that morning, we went in, spoke with my OB, she assured me of everything and addressed all my concerns. She checked me and said, "oh your cervix is still nice and closed...so we'll see you one last time on Friday, Feb. 27 and then if she hasn't turned yet, the c-section is a go-ahead."

So after the appointment...the day went ahead as normal. Alex and I went to the farmer's market, went for lunch and did some grocery shopping at 99 Ranch market.

That night at 3:30 am, I woke up to some stomach pains...and I had to use the bathroom so I attributed the pains to that. After I went to the bathroom, the pains still did not go away. At 4 am, I couldn't talk through the pains anymore and I told Alex that we needed to head to the hospital. He was thinking it was false labor and was dilly-dallying when I asked him to time my contractions. We got to the hospital at 4:35 am. While they were wheeling me into the active labor room, my water broke. Then once in the room, they tried to check how much I was dialated and when they did, I was already fully dialated and unconsciously pushing. Alex said he saw little feet coming out. I finally yelled out that Isabelle was breech (I was in sooo much pain before to say anything) and they immediately went into full emergency mode. I was quickly wheeled into the ER.

They didn't have time to put an epidural in me so I was totally knocked out on general anesthetic. They locked Alex out of the ER because it was not a regular c-section. It was the scariest thing I've ever experienced! But I was lucky that Cedars had the Chief of Inpatient Obstetrics, Dr. Matthew Kim, on staff that night. He immediately determined it was a footling breech situation and delivered Belle. At 4:53 am, Alex heard a loud cry from the OR and was relieved. They then finally let him in and took him to the baby warmer/clean-up area and he got to see the little Isabelle and cut her cord.

Isabelle was born on February 24, 2009 at 4:53 am. She weighs 5lbs 14ozs and is 18 1/2 inches long.

I was sooo scared for my little Isabelle...but am so glad everything went well. My labor in total lasted for about 2.5 hours! It was an intense 2.5 hours! I swear, if the she wasn't breech, I would have pushed her out in 10 mins without any drugs because they would have had no time to give me any!

I found out that when a baby is breeched, contractions are more intense because the mother is supposed to curb her pushing and let the contractions work to birth the baby...that's the only safe way to birth a breech baby...but seriously, when I had the urge to push, nothing could stop me except just pushing!

Anyway, she is now quietly sleeping in my arms while I type up her birth story...she's so worth everything I went through! This is why I call her my drama queen!

Happy Birthday, Isabelle!!


Monday, February 23, 2009

The Countdown...Day 7

Dear Belle,

We are counting down the days till we finally meet you! Today is day 7 which is also Mommy's 1st day of maternity leave.

We went to see the baby doctor today and did another ultrasound. Your position is still the same. We also had another non-stress test and talked with our doctor about our c-section procedure. She addressed all our concerns and we are feeling less anxious about it now. We are experiencing some irregular contractions and minor cramping but everything else seems to be on track! I think you are also getting ready for the big day!

Love, Mom

Friday, February 20, 2009

Knowing Your Roots

Dear Izzyboo,

To make sure you know your roots, we have enlisted your 爺爺 and 奶奶 to help pick out a chinese name for you. 爺爺 picked out a beautiful name—Chen Si Ling (曾思铃). Si (思) means to ponder, to think, and Ling (铃) means bell. So I guess your name will mean "pondering bell"...will you be a great philosopher when you grow up?

Mommy and Daddy absolutely love this name as it totally suits you! Maybe we can also call you "Ling Ling" for short! Your full name will be Isabelle Alexis Si Ling Chen.

Love, Mom

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Your Big Day

Dear Isabelle,

So in deliberation with the doctor, we have decided to schedule a c-section date for your grand arrival. The doctor says that there is a 50/50 chance that you still might turn to the engaged position. However, it would be better for us to schedule something just in case you don't. Mommy wants to bake you in me for as long as I can so I asked the doctor to schedule the surgery as late as possible. The doctor came up with March 2, 2009 at 9:30 am. So I guess, if you don't do the flip, we will have you in our arms on that day!

Another reason why that day is sooo very special...it's also your Daddy's birthday! He will turn 33 this year and you will be my birthday present to him. YAY! You just helped Mommy save some money...what a good little girl you are!

Now we just hope you co-operate and stay in Mommy's belly till the 2nd!

Love, Mom

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Baby Care Package from Vancouver!

You are already getting spoiled, Belle!

Your Uncles and Aunties from Vancouver sent over a wonderful care package full of cute outfits for you. We also got a couple of bibs, lots of wash cloths, brush and comb set and a baby manual! We are sooo thankful to them for all their love and support! Mommy cannot wait to take you back to Vancouver to meet all of them.

Love, Mom