Home and healthy

We've transitioned back to our new life at home today, just a bit over 48 hrs after Lauren's C-section. Yesterday we had more happy visitors, and Papa even got to steal away for a day outing with Diego to go fly a new kite (special 'new Big Brother present'). Our care was outstanding, from our very favorite OB-GYN Dr. Flum to the warm Pediatricians, and especially the amazingly compassionate and supportive nursing care. And the great view of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound and the Space Needle along with fairly good room service three times a day made the whole experience weirdly reminiscent of a vacation (for me at least). Yes it's on the early side to be going home just two days after a C-section, but we've got a great support system waiting for us (read as: here comes the parade of Abuelas and Grammys and Aunties and Uncles and Abuelos and can you believe nearly two weeks of of work for Daddy!). Besides, Lauren really needs some rest in her own bed (I almost said a good night's sleep! Ha!).

As the incisional pain wears off, the breastfeeding gets easier, and Diego heads off to more and more 'little boy' activities, we'll no doubt grow more adept at being a family of four. For the time being it all feels a bit chaotic!

24 wonderful hours

Charley is now a day old and we love her more by the minute. She's sleeping well, getting the hang of breastfeeding, and of course continuing to look pretty in pink. Lauren is recovering rapidly, already walking around and freshening up. Thanks to all the special visitors in person and in spirit via the massive flood of email and text messages yesterday!

FINALLY!! Charlotte Alivia is here!

She took her sweet time (just about 24 full hours of labor) and ended up having to take the alternative exit to get to us, but now she's here!! Charlotte Alivia Ramers joined us around 8:30 and is large, pink, and thriving (9 lbs, 12 oz). Mom and baby are doing extremely well. Thanks for all your wonderful thoughts and loving energy. Many many more posts to come...

Slow and Steady

So last night turned out to be a little bit of a false alarm. Steady contractions from around 3:00-9:00 PM, then enough of a break to get some sleep at home. Lauren woke up again around 3:00AM with some more minor ones, but they didn't really get going until induction around 9:15 AM. A few dramatic hours of high-flyin' labor pains and we were ready for an epidural, which took effect a little after 1:00 PM. Now we're resting comfortably, still watching steady contractions march by on the monitor at about one every three minutes, and waiting for cervical progress.
Don't worry, Lauren promises there WILL be a baby by the end of the weekend, one way or another.

Here we go!

Christian here. 7 PM. Beautiful sunny day in Seattle. Yellow rays beaming through the tall trees in our backyard forest. Sprightly springtime birds chirping outside our bedroom window. And strong, regular contractions 5 minutes apart!

Astrology Explains it All

This baby girl was waiting to be an Tauras! She's a bull!!! You see, all along I've assumed she would be an Aries. I've read all about Aries, and while we have no Aries in the close family, I figured that she would be the different one. Well.....she has been waiting to be a Tauras, just like her Abuela Anna who was born on May 5, "Cinco de Mayo." So, you see, she knew she wasn't an Aries and needed to wait until after April 21 to arrive. By Sunday, we are hoping, this bull baby girl will be here.

Sorry, dad, unfortunately you missed correctly guessing the birth day. Maybe you'll get the weight and length right.

41 Weeks and no progress

I am in good spirits, despite the fact that today's visit to the doctor didn't produce any more news on when this baby is coming. I had a non-stress test which involved an ultrasound to measure amniotic fluid levels (good...no worries there) and her heartbeat/movement and my contractions for a 30 minute period. The tests all showed that the baby is doing fine, she is healthy with no problems or stress, and that 7 days past my due date, she is still thriving.

I have not at all progressed from last week's exam, despite increased contractions. Nothing, nothing, nothing. So, the plan is to wait until Friday and see the doctor again at 10 am. That evening, I will check into the hospital and we'll start the induction process. I'm not thrilled with the thought of an induction, but understand that most doctors these days won't let moms go past 42 weeks, since the placenta starts to get old and the baby could go into distress. So, I have four days to get things going....Mom and I walked for 45 minutes at the YMCA today and then I swam for 15 minutes (the pool was closing). Tomorrow I'll swim and walk again. I can't say that I'm not frustrated, but I also trust that nature will take its course and that she will come when she is ready....hopefully that happens before Friday!

Thanks for the emails, posts, thoughts, prayers, advice and love....I appreciate everyone's calls and contact during this waiting time, which has seemed very long. It feels similar to the time we were waiting for Diego's birth certificate in Guatemala....we knew he was ours and we were excited to go home, but one piece of paper kept us from that special day 3 weeks longer than anticipated. I've been there before, I can wait it out again.

And still nothing

Five days now past the official due date. Yes, I'm sure it was very accurate. Nearly every woman I have met has told me stories of their late labors....5 - 10 days, so I am well within the range of normal, and really trying to be peaceful about the waiting. Two days ago Mom and Diego and I walked at Pike's Market....I climbed stairs and chased after Diego when he ran away. Got some good contractions going, but nothing sustained once I got home. Today, mom and I hit the mall in Bellevue to walk and shop, and still nothing.

In other news, it snowed today in Seattle. Well, first it hailed, then it snowed. Very strange.

Diego is gearing up for baby. He loves the cradle we have downstairs (a cherry wood cradle my grandfather, Poppy, made for me!) and he rides around in the Sit and Stand Stroller we bought at Target the other day. We're all set....just waiting for baby now....any day!!!

Not Yet

No baby yet. Keep checking back : )

Happy Due Date! Did anyone tell the baby?

April 14. It has been a day emblazoned on my mind since I took that "pee on stick" test at week 5 of conception. It has come and nearly gone now, and alas, no baby yet. She's moving and growing inside the belly, though. I can feel it and by the expression on most people's faces when they see me waddle by, I see it! Today, I heard her heartbeat - strong - and got the stats, "1 cm, 70% effaced." We scheduled a non-stress test for Monday, April 21 to test heartbeat and amniotic fluid levels. Other than that, the appointment with one of our doctors (my doctor is in China until the 21st) in the GroupHealth practice was uneventful. It takes me longer to walk from the parking garage to the office than the actual appointment. I am in no hurry to rush into labor, so we won't be inducing until the doctors feel it is absolutely medically necessary.

The rest of my day was spent running around south of Seattle. I picked up a recliner/rocker for our bedroom at the LazyBoy warehouse, made some returns to Babies R Us, watched a few shows on our DVR from over the weekend, and now I'm resting in bed as Diego watches Dragon Tales. My mother is on her way to Seattle now, just 3 hours away, and the rain is coming down pretty consistently outside. Nothing like our beautiful day on Saturday when it was nearly 70 degrees and felt like summer!

Thank you for the many calls, texts, emails and loving support from you all. I'm quite peaceful with this waiting period....not feeling anxious or scared or frustrated. Just waiting and resting and wondering.....at least I know it will be within the next 14 days or so. The docs won't let me go past two weeks, so we're in the final stretch. It's like the last 50 meters of my two mile track race back in high school. Check back every couple of days. They have wireless in the delivery rooms, so Christian will keep everyone updated once I get to the point where we go to the hospital. Love to all, The Ramers 3 (nearly 4!)

39 Weeks Today

Seven days until the due date. Not that this means all that much, but I suppose the countdown begins. Any guesses at day, time, weight, or length? I'm hanging in there. Better days come with better sleep at night, so today is a good day after a decent night's sleep (and by decent, I mean 3 hour stretches of sleep). Diego and I are headed to the YMCA so that I can swim and he can play in the Kid's Room. This week we have Guatemala playgroup, a friend from childbirth class coming over for coffee, a dr's appt. on Thursday, swimming lessons, and hanging out with Henry and Julian. Should be a busy week and keep my mind off of the impending April 14 due date!