Author Archives: Nicole

The Birth Experience Part 2 – During

Click here to read Part 1.

So where was I?

Oh yes – I was just walking to the operating room and getting ready to meet my baby. Walking to the operating room was weird. I mean, how many times do you see people in movies and on TV walking calmly to a room where they are about to be given loads of drugs and then cut open? No, the trip usually involves a guerny and tearful farewells and best wishes from loved ones. Not for me. I had to walk in my hospital gown (witch thankfully are a little less revealing than they used to be so at least my butt was covered) pulling my own IV drip.

When I reached the operating room it looked strangley familiar. I have a strong feeling it may have been the very same room where I delivered Thomas but I suppose all of the rooms look alike and I WAS under the influence of drugs and in labour with Thomas over two years ago so my recollection could be hazy. But wouldn’t it be cool if i was the same room? Let’s pretend it was. 🙂

Now for the moment I had been dreading – the spinal injection. A very important part of the process to ensure I feel no pain, but scary nonetheless. It was a little painful but once that medication kicked in I was feeling a lot better – for a few moments at least. 

In my last post I talked about how the anesthesiologist mentioned that I may feel a little dizzy and that this would be a normal reaction as the medication kicked in. Well I don’t bother medical professionals when something is normal. I am not the sort of person who will go to the doctor for a cold or a stomach bug. I prefer not to bother people when I am suffering a “normal” illness. I figure it will pass. So when I started feeling a little dizzy I just kept laying there like everything was normal. I answered questions and included myself in the conversation and continued to do so even when the room started spinning, the voices started to get further and further away and the nausea kicked in. I even began contemplating the logistics of throwing up when I could barely move my head (How can I best miss my hospital gown so I don’t smelllike puke when the baby arrives).

After what felt like an eternity, my slowing heart rate must have given them a clue because FINALLY someone asked if I was feeling OK and I had the opportunity to tell them (albeit carefully so as not to disturb my quesy stomach) that I was a little nauseous. “Oh we can fix that!” was the reply. Really? Then why didn’t you tell me that while you explained the process? Why did you tell me it was normal to feel this way? Sure enough, a little something added to my IV and I was back to reality again in time to see Kei joining me in the room.

I’ll skip the gory details of the delivery only to say that they cut me open, pulled out the kid and there was a lot of blood. Kei has it all on video if you ever have the need to see it. I’ve seen it and can look past the gore to the miracle of birth but those with weaker stomachs may not be able to do the same. The feeling of a c-section is a little difficult to explain. There’s no pain, just waiting and a lot of tugging at your mid section. There’s also a feeling of helplessness that I’m sure doesn’t exist when you are actually “working” through labour. Of course my mind wandered occasionally to the fact that I was naked from the waist down and that about 5 people were gathered around my nether regions, but I didn’t dwell on it (much).

After about 10 minutes (I guess) I heard the screams of my baby boy as he was lifted out. They showed him to me over the curtain and I remember thinking two things 1. that he looked just like his brother and 2. he had enormous purple testicles (apparently this is normal). Once I had got past these two details I started worrying. Tests during my early stages of pregnancy had come back with a 1:100 chance that my baby would have Downs Syndrome. This was the moment of truth. Thankfully my fears were unfounded and I cursed the 20 weeks where I had this little statistic in the back of mind for no good reason. He was perfect!

Kei went with the baby while they performed tests and again I waited until I was finally able to see him again. They brought the scale over to my line of sight and I was able to see him as they weighed him for the first time. Holy Cow! 8 pounds 1 ounce! It may not seem that heavy but after you have had a 6 pound 8 ounce baby you are just not as prepared for such a healthy size.

As I expected all along he was beautiful, with a head of dark hair and gorgeous dark brown eyes. They even let me hold him for a little while as they stitched me up and I can only describe that moment as surreal. Suddenly I was the mother of two boys and all the waiting had ended. He was here and my life was again going to be different from this moment forward.

Coming soon: Part 3: THE BIRTH EXPERIENCE – AFTER… the finale. I really meet my little boy and I tackle the fear of breastfeeding failure and bonding with this latest addition to my family.

The very first alien

Watching ET tonight and it brings back a couple of childhood memories:

  • My grandmother taking me to see the movie at the theatre when I was a little girl. I was visiting her over the summer holiday and I have clear memories of seeing this movie with her.

  • My dad’s vist to America on a business trip. He bought back gifts for the three of us – a Speak and Spell for my brother (there’s one in the movie which brings back the memory), a Speak and Math for me and a Cabage Patch rip off doll for my youngest brother who must have been about five at the time. I remember it had little fabric testicles sewn on. I guess that’s the biggest thing that distinguished it from the real thing. Ironically the Speak n Spell has recently re-entered  my life through multiple viewings of Toy Story.

I forgot how funny this movie is in parts – and how tragic. Really enjoying this little trip down memory lane.

Flashback

We have a LOT of painting to do in our newly renovated house. I am in charge of the trim while Kei is tackling the walls. Of course, you can’t paint without music so I managed to find my seriously underused ipod and plugged in in to enjoy some tunes. The best thing about not listening to your ipod in a really long time is that you discover all sorts of great songs that you forgot you owned.

This one is an old song from a band called Blind Melon – a band that sadly can play no more thanks to a drug overdose that ended the life of the very talented lead singer. Such a waste.

You probably remember the first song and the video that starred a little girl dancing in a bumble bee constume. The second song is my favourite by the band.

Interesting Fact: This Blind Melon album is the only duplicate that Kei and I had when we got married and combined our record collection. We have since come to appreciate each others’ musical tastes a little more (although I still don’t understand the Beastie Boys). He was all about rock, soul and eclectic music while I’m a pop girl. Seriously – it’s a wonder we ever got together in the first place.

Enjoy this little 90s flashback.

You Gotta See The Babay!

OK, so it’s time to really show off the baby. Samuel and I held a mini photo shoot in the light of the morning sun coming through our temporary bedroom window. It was 6:30am and for some reason I was feeling in a photography mood – and Samuel was awake – so I made the most of the opportunity. Here are the results.

I present… Samuel from every angle.

I may be a little biased, but I think he’s the cutest thing ever (tied with his brother, of course).

P365 Day 181 – June 29th 2008

Samuel and I woke up early and I took the opportunity to hold a little photo shoot with the morning light. Look at those cute little feet. I have a bunch more photos but I will post them later. I think they deserve a post all on their own (oh, and I haven’t finished editing them yet).

I also took the opportunity to take some “mug shots” for Samuel’s passport. His birth certificate arrived on the weekend so I have to get moving on it.

P365 Day 180 – June 28th 2008

Today was a real Mummy day for me. I took Thomas to a birthday party in the morning with a bunch of his daycare friends. Then we had Quinn over to play. He lives a few houses away but is sadly moving soon. OK, only a mile or so, but still… So I kept two toddlers occupied for a while as I looked after Samuel. It wasn’t too difficult – snack time, a couple of activities and then a movie (Toy Story of course). The 100 degree heat meant that we decided to stay indoors. Thomas was a little grouchy. I don’t think he’s used to sharing his own toys with others. Although he’s more than happy to share theirs.

Here they are doing their cheese faces (Thomas threw in a Laser shot as well). Then they both asked to look at the photo immediately. Ahhhh, the instant photo gratification that was missing in my childhood. We were lucky to see photos my Dad had taken within the same year. And that is no exageration.

P365 Day 179 – June 27th 2008

Friday was a beautiful day in Portland and Kei had the fabulous idea to get dinner down by the waterfront – actually ON the waterfront at a restaurant located on a pontoon. It took a little while to get our sea legs so we could avoid throwing up before dinner was served.

It was so nice just to hang out for a couple of hours as a family. Thomas followed dinner with an ice cream cone that was roughly the size of his head.

P365 Day 178 – June 26th 2008

Thomas is shooting his laser like Buzz Lightyear. I feel I have to explain this action up front so people know he is not making a rude gesture in their direction. Although I’m not sure shooting someone with a laser is really very polite…

P365 Day 177 – June 25th 2008

Last week marked my first week alone with two boys. Yes, I am aware that there are some mothers who do this every day without the luxury of childcare but frankly I think they’re nuts. It is exhausting managing a toddler and a newborn – espcially the toddler. The newborn is no trouble at all. He has no opinons or preferences or mind of his own. No, at six weeks you basically feed them, change them and put them down for a nap and you’re good. Thomas, on the other hand, needs to be entertained. If left to his own devices he could destroy the house. You think I’m kidding…

So to keep Thomas occupied for the week I set up some play dates. Wednesday was a trip to the zoo with my friend Laurie and her two kids. That’s Ethan with Thomas in the photo above. I just love how they look so cool while they pose for the photo.

The primary purpose of the visit was to visit the temporary Dinosuar exhibit. Thomas is a little obsessed with Dinosaurs right now so I thought he would love it. Well… he didn’t hate it. He was just pretty much terrified. The dinosaurs were animated and had sound effects. In fact the whole thing was very cool but a little too real for an almost three year old. I think Thomas still enjoyed himself but he stayed very close to me the entire time. In fact this is the only photo I was able to get of him standing “with” the dinosuars. He wouldn’t leave the stroller so I could get a picture.

We then spent a long time hanging out on the lawn while Thomas and Ethan chased each other. They had a great time together and I wish we could all get together more often. Samuel was a dream as always. I just have to feed him and keep the stroller moving and he is content.

P365 Day 176 – June 24th 2008

If I let myself get carried away (and if I weren’t limited by hard drive space) I would take a million photos of the rose garden near our house. I is breathtakingly beautiful right now in full bloom. And if you think the photo is impressive, you should really experience the divine smell. It is certainly welcome to someone who is changing diapers all day.