September 10, 2009 ~ 5:00 AM
My alarm goes off. I couldn't eat after 6, so I was getting up early to eat something with lots of protein to get me through the day.
5:28 AM
Still in bed. 5 AM is too early to be getting up
5:40 AM
I finally get up because I know I have to eat and drink something. 2 slices of peanut butter toast are the verdict.
10:30 AM
By now, I am dying of thirst. Of all the coolness we've had over the summer, this day just has to be one of the hottest. I'm trying not to move too much and we're making the final preparations to leave by 11.
11:00 AM
We meet up with my parents and take off for our drive down to Lansing. As it was a scheduled c-section, I needed to arrive by noon for the prep work and our time slot was 2 PM.
Sparrow
Seriously?!? Do the nurses and anesthesiologists not compare notes? I was asked the same questions by 3 different people. Not that I have, but honestly... how many people are going to admit in front of their mother that they used illicit drugs during their pregnancy? I'm guessing... not too many! Amazingly, everything was running smoothly and I even made it down to the surgical room a little early. The anesthesiologist was excellent and was very professional and made sure I was very comfortable. In surgery, everyone acts a little different, a little more relaxed and personable. I learned the anesthesiologist and my doctor have children the same age who play on a flag football team together. I'm sure not every surgery is so relaxed, but when they know there aren't complications and it's planned....
So I later learned from my husband that when they have done the spinal and everything is supposed to be numb and they do a feel test to make sure it's taken effect.... yeah, they made the first cut. Yikes! My favorite comment by far while on the operating table, as it were, was "Yeah, she's a lot skinnier than most." I may have been a little out of it, but when I looked at Shawn for confirmation, he was like, "Yep, you heard them correctly." Would have been the thing that made my day, except that it was the same day my baby girl was born and nothing could have topped that!
She arrived in the world at 3:08 PM rather quietly, not unlike her big brother Benjamin. While we were still in the surgical room, she really started trying to suck on her blanket and even turned her little head towards daddy's chest as he held her. It simply amazes me that though she'd never nursed, she already knew exactly what to do and where she needed to go for it. Once we were in recovery, I took her and she did nurse a little. However, I was so tired and still not quite with it, that she did have some formula. That is a downside to having a c-section is that you have many more drugs than even an epidural that holding your newborn for awhile is just impossible. I certainly do not regret my decision to have a scheduled c-section because Benjamin had to be born c-section after trying to deliver and him turning sideways, and I felt it was the safest for both her and I. As I type this, she is sleeping peacefully in her bed next to me and I wouldn't change a thing.
Her Name
This is something very special to me and I chose it long before I was pregnant. It just came to me one day and I really don't even remember why or how. Ella is my grandmother's first name and she and I were very close. I was the first grandchild and spent most of my first week at her house with my mom. She has now been gone nearly 9 years now, but I still think of her very often and wish she could meet her great-grandchildren. Elizabeth is my mom's first name. I don't know what I would do without my mom. Each of our children have a part of their name after a family member, but Ellie's full name comes from two very special ladies. I'm just starting to be able to tell people, who don't already know, the origin of Ellie's name and why we chose it without getting too emotional. We are still mostly calling her Ellie as it is a bit difficult to call her Ella just yet. I'm sure though that as she gets older she'll be hearing "Ella Elizabeth!" when she gets into trouble!! If she grows up with the godly, compassionate, loving, generous (I could go on and on here) spirit that the heritage of her name holds, she will truly be a phenomenal lady.
With all my heart, I love you, my precious Ellie. Happy birth-day.
