Saturday mornings at Casa de Llama: fun with salad spinners
Pretty much sums the last week, sleeping and near mom
Monthly Archives: November 2016
November 11th, 2016
Grandma stopped by for a late-afternoon snuggle
November 9th, 2016
The day began dimly, but all is made better with these two
The boys making stir fry. “Chop!”
Ella checking out her play mat, looking all around
November 8th, 2016
Our little ghost on his monitor
Baby’s first bath at home, Desmond’s umpteenth
November 6th, 2016
Saturday morning everyone met up at great-grandma Kathy’s house.
Apparently it was story time
November 5th, 2016
After an early start to the day with early 90s educational videos, Dad caught the sunrise during a hunt for coffee
Got all of the discharge tasks completed early, ready to head home
Baby’s first car ride, to the tune of My Life is Sweet by Simon Joyner
Back at the house with Grandma and Des
Dad woke up Des from his lap. He said, “hi!” and ran over for a hug. Mere moments later, he said “baby sister” and ran downstairs.
Ma getting in some extra cuddles before taking Des for a cousin slumber party
Quick stick and dirt pit stop in the front yard
Grandpa came over to meet Ella, though it’s still near-constant napping
Cousins watching The Lion King
Desmond and Eleanor
Aunt Megan introducing cousin Viv to baby Ella
Pa getting some more baby time
Grandma brought Desmond up to the hospital after nap time to meet “baby sister.” He was excited to see her, comparing the size of his fingers to hers. Des was excited to gift a stuffed elephant to sister, and she reciprocated with a new book for her brother.
Des wanted to hold his sister, so with lots of support…
Of course there was lots of buttons for Des to explore. “What’s this ‘Nurse’ button do?”
A beautiful end to Eleanor’s first day
Eleanor Marie
Thursday began like any other day, getting Desmond ready for daycare, going to work. While Anne’s blood pressure was moderately elevated earlier in the week, further test results showed all other levels within norms. Anne had a minor headache persist through the prior evening and the morning, and being one of the signs we were to keep an eye on, checked with her nurses. While the perinatologist’s office said she was likely fine, Dr. Gernhart asked her to stop by for blood pressure check. Her pressure was again elevated during this visit even after a prolonged test, so she was admitted for a what was presumably a 24-hour observation followed by bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy.
In order for Anne to avoid some of the interventions that complicated Des’ delivery, Dr. Gernhart ultimately made the recommendation to induce. 37 weeks and six days. By mid-afternoon we had shifted into delivery plans. With Des at home with grandma, and Anne’s family joining us at the hospital, her water was broke at 5:10pm.
Anne continued to progress as the evening wained on. Lots of calm breathing, focus and back rubs. By 10:00pm the contractions were both regular and intense, so an epidermal was administered. The nurse was busy at one point when Dr. Gernhart called, so I had to answer the phone and give her the stats- 100% effaced, 0 station, 7cm. She said, “that’s what I was looking for, see you in a bit!”
Dr. Gernhart arrived at 11pm, and after a few minutes of small talk, measured and found Anne at nearly 10cm. She began pushing and we were all just so surprised how quickly we saw our little girl. The second labor really does go that much quicker. Six hours of labor and about 15 minutes of pushing later, we met our daughter, Eleanor Marie Shreffler.
With this being more of a normal birth experience, Anne was able to enjoy the moments following the delivery with increased clarity. We were so grateful as baby Eleanor rested on her stomach for over an hour before getting measurements etc.
Eleanor showing off her sense of humor pretty early 😛
Eight pounds, one ounce. 20.5″ long.
Our new little girl
