2 Weeks Old

(Bryleigh Eden - 1 Week Old)



(Bryleigh Being Held By Enrico)



(Brad blowing out the candles on the cake that Kyla helped make)



(Bryleigh sleeping after Thanksgiving dinner)



(Kyla sleeping with her "other" Grandma Kitty after Thanksgiving dinner)



(Go Gators Bryleigh!)

Well, Bryleigh Eden is 2 weeks old and things have not slowed down in the household since she arrived. She had her first doctor's appointment on Friday the 16th and she was 8 lbs 2 ozs and 21 inches long. When she went back on Wednesday the 21st, she weighed 9 lbs! She has a huge appetite and is doing a great job nursing. Hopefully she will help Mommy lose all of the left over baby weight!

I am having a harder time with my recovery because of the unexpected C-Section. I was really looking forward to the easy recovery from a natural labor and delivery. Instead, I am discovering all of the things that I cannot due because of my abdominal muscles being cut! The next time I hear another woman talk about how wonderful a C-Section is and so much easier than a vaginal delivery...she is going to get an earful from me! Plus, this is making me reconsider my recent daydream of getting a tummy tuck and boob job! Sorry Brad, but I don't think I can handle the pain and limited abilities again...

Over all, I do have to say that HypnoBirth worked for me and is a wonderful tool for any expectant woman to use. Even after 2 1/2 days of active labor and being stalled at 9cm, I was still doing well, walking around and not feeling any pain...just pressure and a little discomfort. We were blessed many times over during this time with some wonderful nurses (Kelli, Linda, & Gail) that helped out in so many ways, as well as having Denby, our HypnoBirth instructor, stop by and spend many hours helping us maintain my level of self-hypnosis.

I didn't start feeling any pain until they administered Pitocin to "help put me over the edge"...and when that didn't work, I agreed to the epidural because I knew in my heart that a C-Section was going to be needed. Bryleigh was in the head down backward facing position, but she was crooked and having trouble moving down. Every time the Pitocin was increased enough to help labor progress, her heartbeat dropped and she went into distress...so for her safety, we decided to have the C-Section. And at 11:53 am, she was born...and gave a hearty cry shortly afterwards. She was 8 lbs 7 ozs 20 inches long with her father's outside linebacker shoulders!

We stayed in the hospital for 3 days and had alot of wonderful visitors, including a wonderful surprise visit from Enrico who was an exchange student that stayed with my family in 1993. I could not believe my eyes when he walked into my room...and was pretty sure that he was a hallucination from all the pain meds!

The past two weeks have gone by in a blur. Bryleigh and I have kept busy spending time together. We have done a little entertaining by celebrating Brad's birthday on the 20th and then had Thanksgiving at the house. Didn't have the guts or energy to brave the insanity on Black Friday, but did visit a couple of stores that did not have the crazy crowds.

Today, we have spent another quiet day at the house recovering from all the activity from the past few days...and watching College Football. Cannot believe that regular season is over again and the Bowl Games are just around the corner! Bryleigh is wearing her first Gator outfit and looks so cute. Special thanks go out to her "Aunt" Denise for giving it to her, as well as her Big Sister Kyla for giving her the stuffed Gator.

Tomorrow should also be another busy day. We are planning on taking Bryleigh to church for the first time...followed by a huge family breakfast and then decorating the house for Christmas.

Well, I think that I have caught you all up on the past two weeks...so I will close this for now...

Kara

P.S. I finally did get my Eggs Benedict on Thanksgiving morning. My wonderful mother made it and I am a happy mommy!