A couple hours after Madison was born, my mom and Brooklynn came to the hospital to visit. Joe walked out to the parking garage to walk them in and show them how to find our room. I asked him to record Brooklynn coming in for the first time from his angle, and I did the same. I was SO excited to see her! I have never been away from her for that long, and I felt like it had been forever since I had gotten to hug and squeeze her! I was also excited to see how she would react to her new baby sister. When they walked in, Brooklynn was excited to see me, but seemed unsure and scared of the fact that I was holding a baby in my arms. She was afraid at first and just wanted to keep her distance and look at Madison. Eventually she warmed up and touched her and gave her loves. It was so nice to have my mom there and to hear how things at home had been going. I hadn't worried about Brooklynn really at all knowing that she was in such good hands. I felt so blessed to have my mom there with us for this major event in all of our lives. I know she loved being with us too, and loved holding her new granddaughter. She held Madison while Joe and I cuddled on Bookie!
My mom said Brooklynn hadn't really eaten much. I have heard of that happening when kids or animals are away from their parents, but I didn't think Brooklynn would ever do that. She is such a good eater! Joe had ordered my lunch to be delivered to my room, and Brooklynn sat on my lap with me and ate and ate and ate! It was so fun to have her with us, and to get to spend time with her. We had both missed her so much! It was also fun to see my mom with both of her granddaughters.
We had the sweetest nurses while we were there, and the one that was there with us the day of the delivery was one of the sweetest! We found out she lives in Silverlake too! I kept thanking her over and over again for all that she was doing for me. When you're in the situation of not really being able to care for yourself, and you're dependent on others, it is very humbling. I was so grateful for her and for how kind she was. She came in our room later that afternoon to let us know that all of the postpartum rooms were taken, but they were trying to get some people checked out and rooms cleaned. She also mentioned that there were some rooms that had been redone on that floor that were much nicer than the others, and hopefully we would get one of those. It just depended who was leaving and when they could get the rooms clean.
I loved just spending time with my little family and my mom that day, and being able to just relax. Joe and I were both so tired, but somehow after the baby comes, it seems like we just run on adrenaline and excitement. My mom and Brooklynn stayed until after 6, and then we knew she had to get Brooklynn home and fed, bathed, and ready for bed before she was too exhausted because it would make everything so much harder for my mom. My mom called a little bit later to let us know they had hit traffic on the way home, but Brooklynn had done so well. She also wanted to know if we lived in the Silvercreek subdivision. In the dark, she had pulled into the wrong neighborhood, but it was just the one before ours. That was her only mistake with driving the entire time she was here! I was so worried about her before she got here, and she ended up being a champ at commuting in Houston!=)
Our nurse came in to let us know that none of the postpartum rooms were available still, and that they had decided to put us in one the signature suites and comp it for us!!! We were totally thrilled!! We had always joked about wanting to stay there, but I think it's like $400 a night! When we finally got moved over around 8pm, we couldn't have been happier! My "bed" was much more comfortable, Joe had a pull out couch instead of having to sleep on the window seat, there were two televisions, the bathroom was SO much nicer, and the food was fabulous, and it felt like we were in a nice hotel room instead of a hospital room! We got much better sleep that night.
On Friday my mom and Brooklynn came and spent most of the day with us. We ate lunch together, Brooklynn napped in my arms, and then my mom and I just kicked back and relaxed while Joe took Brooklynn to the Children's Museum. It was nice to have so much time to just do nothing, relax, and hold my baby. We had thought about trying to go home Friday, but my mom suggested that we stay another night since we had the suite. She wanted me to just enjoy my stay and try and rest before I had to go home and take care of a toddler and a newborn. She was so sweet to take such good care of Brooklynn while we were away. I know that created a strong bond between them. Brooklynn loves her "Nama."
We got to go home before noon on Saturday. It was so fun being able to take our sweet little girl home. When we took Brooklynn home I think I was slightly terrified! With Madison, I felt so much more comfortable, and very excited to get home to Bookie and my mom. Madison was a champ on the ride home, and she has loved car rides ever since.
We were so excited to be home! Joe went in and brought Brooklynn outside when we arrived, and it was so fun to see her reaction. She just kept saying "baby" over and over again. I got to rock Brooklynn and put her down for her nap, which was so nice. This time I didn't have my big belly to get in the way. It felt nice to have my body back to myself, and to be able to hold Brooklynn! I had missed being able to hold and rock her and put her to sleep. I was glad to be home with my sweet girl and with my mom!
Monday, December 8, 2014
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Madison Grace Berg
This was typed up starting November 13, 2014
It's been a crazy and very special week! A week ago today, my mom flew in to Houston to be here to take care of Brooklynn while Joe and I were in the hospital having our second baby girl! Brooklynn was so excited to see her and followed her around everywhere that day. Instead of saying "hold you" to me, she was saying it to "Nama." We spent the day practicing how to get to the hospital, and shopping at Sam Moon and Costco. The GPS wouldn't give audio directions, so mom wanted to run through how to get there a couple of times. So glad we did that, because she was a pro and didn't get lost once. I knew Brooklynn was in the best hands, and I was able to relax and enjoy my time in the hospital.
Joe and I checked in to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital at 9pm on Wednesday, November 5th. The waiting room was PACKED when we got there, and we ended up not getting a room until about 1:30am. We were both SO tired, to say the least. By the time I got changed, answered questions, got an IV hooked up, and got ready for bed, it was about 2:30. I was dilated about 3 cm and told I could sleep until 5:30 and then they would start me on Patocin. I never felt much pain as far as contractions go. With the shift change, a new nurse came in to check on me around 7:15 and asked how I was doing. She said the drs would be by around 8 to break my water. A text that I had gotten from my sister-in-law when she gave birth to my niece a couple of years ago, vividly flashed through my mind. "ALWAYS GET THE EPIDURAL BEFORE THEY BREAK YOUR WATER! THIS HURTS SO BAD!!" I told the nurse I really wasn't in much pain at all, and asked if it was okay to go ahead and get the epidural anyways before they broke my water. She said that was a good idea, because once my water was broken, that cushion would no longer be there and the baby's head would put a lot of pressure on me. You don't have to tell me twice! Epidural was in and water broken around 8:15. I was checked around 10am and told I was at a 6. Joe and I had a bet going from earlier that day and I had said I would have her around 11:30 and he said 1:30. I hadn't been checked again at 11:30, but James was working nearby and Joe asked if he could go meet him for lunch. I told him that was fine, just keep his phone on him and don't go far. They decided to eat at the cafeteria there in the hospital. Around 12:15 the nurse came in to check on me and I told her that I was feeling a lot more pressure down there, so she said she wanted to check me. She said I was a 9! The baby's head needed to drop just a bit and my cervix needed to thin just a bit more. She said "Where's your husband?" I told her he had met his brother for lunch at the cafeteria. She told me I should probably call and get him back to my room asap. When I called I told him "I'm at a 9, the nurse said get back here." His response was "Okay, do I need to like leave my food and come right now, or in like 5 min.?" The nurse was right there so I asked her and she said he could have 5 minutes. James and Joe came in the room soon after and I had my oxygen mask on. They visited for a little bit and James helped turn off the alarm for the blood pressure machine that kept going off because my arm was bent and it wasn't registering. Then he took a look at the monitor to see what my contractions were doing. He said they weren't super regular so his guess was that it would be a couple more hours till I delivered. It had taken me a long time to go from a 9 to a 10 with Brooklynn, so it wasn't hard to believe. The nurses came in again a few minutes later and started checking me again, and James said he was going to head back to work.
It wasn't but a couple minutes after he left, the nurse said "Okay, this is it! She's right there!" A couple other nurses had come in too and were getting things ready. The next thing I know, they are asking me if I want to feel my baby's head!! I reached down and they helped me feel her head! So crazy! Next thing I knew, Dr Cook was there in the room and he and the nurses were saying "She's right there. Don't laugh, don't push." Everything was happening so quickly! I told Joe to grab the camera and hurry over next to me. Dr Cook and the nurses said "Okay, here we go!" I think they had me push one time. My legs were so numb. After I pushed they said "Okay stop!" The cord was wrapped around her neck, so they took it off, and then Dr Cook said "Ok, Bre, reach down and pull your baby out!" WHAT?!?!? Did I dare do it? I wasn't expecting him to say that! It all happened so quickly and seemed so surreal. I reached down and they helped me get a hold of her, and the next thing I knew I was pulling her out and then there she was, laying on my chest crying. So so crazy!! I was overwhelmed with emotion and the tears started to flow. I can't really explain the emotions that overcomes me when I finally get to hold the sweet child that I have carried for 9 months. All of the discomfort, the sickness, exhaustion, and pain are all worth it in that moment. She was so little and her sweet little cry was music to my ears! An incredible feeling of love overwhelmed me and brought me to tears. Madison Grace Berg was born on November 6, 2014 at 12:58pm. She weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 inches long. Dr Cook gave Joe the tool and told him to cut the umbilical cord. He hadn't done that with Brooklynn, because he was kind of terrified and grossed out by the idea. I think this time though, in front of Doctor Cook, he didn't want to seem like a wuss, so he went for it! Everything always happens so quickly. Just like that, it was all over!
I got to hold Madison for a while, and got her to eat, and then got to cuddle her for a long while before they took her to do her measurements, foot prints, etc. I always love and cherish that time when I just get to hold my babies. We are so blessed to welcome another sweet little daughter into our family. We love her so much already.
It's been a crazy and very special week! A week ago today, my mom flew in to Houston to be here to take care of Brooklynn while Joe and I were in the hospital having our second baby girl! Brooklynn was so excited to see her and followed her around everywhere that day. Instead of saying "hold you" to me, she was saying it to "Nama." We spent the day practicing how to get to the hospital, and shopping at Sam Moon and Costco. The GPS wouldn't give audio directions, so mom wanted to run through how to get there a couple of times. So glad we did that, because she was a pro and didn't get lost once. I knew Brooklynn was in the best hands, and I was able to relax and enjoy my time in the hospital.
Joe and I checked in to Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital at 9pm on Wednesday, November 5th. The waiting room was PACKED when we got there, and we ended up not getting a room until about 1:30am. We were both SO tired, to say the least. By the time I got changed, answered questions, got an IV hooked up, and got ready for bed, it was about 2:30. I was dilated about 3 cm and told I could sleep until 5:30 and then they would start me on Patocin. I never felt much pain as far as contractions go. With the shift change, a new nurse came in to check on me around 7:15 and asked how I was doing. She said the drs would be by around 8 to break my water. A text that I had gotten from my sister-in-law when she gave birth to my niece a couple of years ago, vividly flashed through my mind. "ALWAYS GET THE EPIDURAL BEFORE THEY BREAK YOUR WATER! THIS HURTS SO BAD!!" I told the nurse I really wasn't in much pain at all, and asked if it was okay to go ahead and get the epidural anyways before they broke my water. She said that was a good idea, because once my water was broken, that cushion would no longer be there and the baby's head would put a lot of pressure on me. You don't have to tell me twice! Epidural was in and water broken around 8:15. I was checked around 10am and told I was at a 6. Joe and I had a bet going from earlier that day and I had said I would have her around 11:30 and he said 1:30. I hadn't been checked again at 11:30, but James was working nearby and Joe asked if he could go meet him for lunch. I told him that was fine, just keep his phone on him and don't go far. They decided to eat at the cafeteria there in the hospital. Around 12:15 the nurse came in to check on me and I told her that I was feeling a lot more pressure down there, so she said she wanted to check me. She said I was a 9! The baby's head needed to drop just a bit and my cervix needed to thin just a bit more. She said "Where's your husband?" I told her he had met his brother for lunch at the cafeteria. She told me I should probably call and get him back to my room asap. When I called I told him "I'm at a 9, the nurse said get back here." His response was "Okay, do I need to like leave my food and come right now, or in like 5 min.?" The nurse was right there so I asked her and she said he could have 5 minutes. James and Joe came in the room soon after and I had my oxygen mask on. They visited for a little bit and James helped turn off the alarm for the blood pressure machine that kept going off because my arm was bent and it wasn't registering. Then he took a look at the monitor to see what my contractions were doing. He said they weren't super regular so his guess was that it would be a couple more hours till I delivered. It had taken me a long time to go from a 9 to a 10 with Brooklynn, so it wasn't hard to believe. The nurses came in again a few minutes later and started checking me again, and James said he was going to head back to work.
It wasn't but a couple minutes after he left, the nurse said "Okay, this is it! She's right there!" A couple other nurses had come in too and were getting things ready. The next thing I know, they are asking me if I want to feel my baby's head!! I reached down and they helped me feel her head! So crazy! Next thing I knew, Dr Cook was there in the room and he and the nurses were saying "She's right there. Don't laugh, don't push." Everything was happening so quickly! I told Joe to grab the camera and hurry over next to me. Dr Cook and the nurses said "Okay, here we go!" I think they had me push one time. My legs were so numb. After I pushed they said "Okay stop!" The cord was wrapped around her neck, so they took it off, and then Dr Cook said "Ok, Bre, reach down and pull your baby out!" WHAT?!?!? Did I dare do it? I wasn't expecting him to say that! It all happened so quickly and seemed so surreal. I reached down and they helped me get a hold of her, and the next thing I knew I was pulling her out and then there she was, laying on my chest crying. So so crazy!! I was overwhelmed with emotion and the tears started to flow. I can't really explain the emotions that overcomes me when I finally get to hold the sweet child that I have carried for 9 months. All of the discomfort, the sickness, exhaustion, and pain are all worth it in that moment. She was so little and her sweet little cry was music to my ears! An incredible feeling of love overwhelmed me and brought me to tears. Madison Grace Berg was born on November 6, 2014 at 12:58pm. She weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 inches long. Dr Cook gave Joe the tool and told him to cut the umbilical cord. He hadn't done that with Brooklynn, because he was kind of terrified and grossed out by the idea. I think this time though, in front of Doctor Cook, he didn't want to seem like a wuss, so he went for it! Everything always happens so quickly. Just like that, it was all over!
I got to hold Madison for a while, and got her to eat, and then got to cuddle her for a long while before they took her to do her measurements, foot prints, etc. I always love and cherish that time when I just get to hold my babies. We are so blessed to welcome another sweet little daughter into our family. We love her so much already.
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