Emelia Rose Bard

    On thursday 7/18, I had a routine appointment but it was my first time being checked. I was closed up and no where near ready. Dr Jones told me to go on my vacation and enjoy myself. Considering I was overdue with Logan, I was not counting on going early with bb2. I did have my bags fairly packed though just in case. I also put my favorite yoga pants in my hospital bag rather than my suitcase for vacation. I packed everything we needed for vacation into 2 large tupperware bins and had everything we needed to survive for the week.
  I posted about vacation, so day 1 of vacation was covered. Drove 2 1/2 hours away, chilled by the lake and went to bed. Matt and I woke up at 7am, and Logan was still sleeping. Matt went to go get himself a cup of coffee and I laid in bed. I looked at Logan sleeping and thought about how fun this week is going to be. In the same breath, my water broke. I hadnt moved or done anything to make it break, I was just laying on my back. I got up and ran to the bathroom in my room. My mindset was like "Oh my gosh". I called Matt upstairs and he slowly came, thinking I was just calling him because Logan woke up. I had a towel around my waist and he looked at me like "uh..." " My water broke". The look on my face must have said it all because he believed me right away.
  Logan stirred and Matt got him up while I went to my moms room to tell her. Her face was priceless too. We rushed to get our unpacked stuff a bit more organized. I took Logans stuff and put it into 1 bin or on the bed and Matt brought our stuff to the car. The whole house at this point knew what was going on. I thought about what to do about my water being broke and grabbed a bunch of Logans diapers. Yes, I put a diaper in my pants. And went out the door. Saying goodbye to my son and family. I started getting light contractions that were time-able at 12-14 mins apart and lasting almost a minute. I called my dr about 30 minutes into the drive since service was crappy. It was the same dr who told me to go on vacation. Jokes on me!  About an hour from the hospital Matt asked if we could stop so he could pee. Sure, why not?
   The whole car ride, we talked about how maybe it wasnt my water. But I knew it wasnt pee. Maybe we will be back in NY in a few hours. I didnt feel more water pour out and I was starting to doubt myself. Until we got to the hospital, and I gushed as soon as we got out of the car. Got to L&D and they handed me a gown. I soaked the bathroom floor. I dripped to the bed. The nurse asked the dr if she wanted to test it to see if it was my water. the dr looked dumbfound "She soaked the floor! no question it was her water". Dr Jones checked me and I was barely at 1cm and I was having no noticeable contractions/ It had been about 5 hours since my water had broken by the time I was settled. The dr asked if I wanted to just go ahead with a repeat C-sec and do it now and get it done. Uh.... I forgot about that. Sure.
   So we now had consent forms and talks and preparations and people coming in to explain and stuff that was a bit of a whirlwind. We texted a few people and called some others and headed down the hall. It is so much different getting a c-sec when your fully coherent. With Logan, I had labored all day, pushed for 5 hours and been on Magnesium. This time, I was fully there. We go into the bright white sterile room and there are people everywhere.
   The anesthesiologist was amazing. He was almost like my own personal doula and kept me grounded by talking to me and explaining everything and couching me through how I felt. He would tell me when I was at the nauseous phase and when I would stop puking, He was telling me what they were doing and how it was going. He was telling me over and over that the way I was feeling (or not!) was okay and keeping my head grounded while not being able to feel my legs and such. I dont think I could have done without him (besides the use of his meds!). Matt was holding my hand. He was good too. Everytime I squeezed he got worried I was feeling pain and the anesthesiologist assured him I was not in pain, and I wasnt. I got anxious knowing we were about to find out if bb2 was a boy or girl. They could not get baby out. Baby was stuck up high and not budging. They were pushing on my stomach and pulling and pushing and more pushing. Apparently they even got the vacuum out and eventually the baby was out.
   The dr asked Matt if he wanted to announce the gender. So Matt looked. And looked. And took his sweet time telling me. I couldnt see his face expression under the mask. Then he said "I think its a girl". You think?? who says that??!!??. The dr then said "Its a girl Kristin" and I was bawling. Apparently Matt couldnt get a good look while they were rushing around with her. They did her once over and decided she needed oxygen. They couldnt bring her to me because I was puking as they closed me back up. Off she went. I was taken back to my room and Matt was able to go visit her.
   He used facetime in the nursery and I got to see her. Then the pediatricial came in to tell me about her. We knew about the lip, but were being told the palate was cleft also (not a surprise). She needed oxygen and they felt she would be better cared for at Baystate in the nicu. I signed papers and was told Baystate would send their team over to take her, but it wasnt a rush situation. I couldnt see her because I couldnt move but was assured I would see her before she was transferred. Everyone wanted to know a name, but I had no name till I could hold her and see her. We had a few on our list and it was up to me to make the final decision (I have a good husband).
   The Baystate team came and got baby ready to transport via ambulance. They brought her into the room and I was able to hold her. I had 6 people plus my husband watching me meet my daughter and giver her a name. Awkward. They took her away and I sent Matt on his way also. I did not need to hear him trying to sleep on an uncomfortable couch all night, and I wanted to get some good sleep. I could not go be with my baby because it was Sunday and insurance was not available to approve my hospital transfer. I had an amazing nurse that night, who made me peanut butter toast as soon as I was ready to eat. She walked with me a few times that evening and night and brought my pain meds on time. I got some sleep between facebook, texting and browsing the interwebs for girl clothes and looking for a bedding set.
 
I had a girl!
Emelia Rose Bard
7/21/13
1 pm
4lb 15oz
1pm

Vacation 2013

When I was younger, we used to take week long lake trips with the family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and grandpas boat. So as a family, we decided it was time (it had been 20 years since the last all family trip with the boat!). After a few years of wanting too and a another year of planning, we had a house. A big house. Everyone had a room and most had their own bathroom. Aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, our youngest generation, a few strays, and grandpas boat. This house was full, and the boat was more full. To get there, the boat was packed with a freezer that had preplanned meals for the week. It had outdoor toys for the little ones, and probably some yard work equipment to keep a few ladies busy. Our cars were all filled to the top with kids, clothes, food, stuff and junk. We had a week on the lake. How awesome does this trip sound? After looking forward to it since we payed a year in advance, we were on our way to Brant Lake New York. An easy 2 1/2 drive. I was 35 weeks and 6 days pregnant. My dr told me to go as I was no where near labor 2 days before leaving. Logan was born at 41 weeks so having a baby was the least of my concerns. I was going to be lazy while everyone took care of my kid, well planned.

On our way! He napped a bit and then watched Curious George.

This was our back yard for the week.

We had kayaks, row boats, canoes and peddle boats to use. Matt enjoyed our first evening there on the lake,

Logan liked making the boat go "beep"

Wonder what cassette tape is in the player.

Didnt plan for Logan to be wet but its vacation! anything goes!

This was dinner and a good view of some of the people in the house. Some people keft after a few nights, others came at the end of the week

And that concludes MY vacation. Baby Bard 2 decided to come at 36 weeks. Day 2 of vacation. That will be next post. For now, I leave you with my original plan of having my family take care of Logan on vacation. I did think I would be there sitting around watching and napping and maybe crocheting. Instead, I was not there, nor was Matt. Logan stayed the rest of week and enjoyed every moment of it. He had no clue what was going on at home.

But they put him to work to earn his keep. Even though at this point, he had payed more than any person there for a single occupant and he didnt even have his own room.

Vacation.

mmmm. I missed Sundae night :(

Glad I didnt have to bath him after all this playing.

At least he had a buddy to play with.

Logan had a blast. Thats what matters most. Good news is, This house is booked for next year and I have every intention of being there the full week! I will not miss sundae night again! 

Logans 2 year chart

Happy Birthday little buddy!

Mastered skills most can do-
Can name at least 6 body parts on a doll:   Nose, ears, eyes, mouth, head, knees, feet, toes, fingers, nipples
Half of speech is understandable:   Usually. depends on the topic of conversation.
Can make short sentences:   "I go poop" (even though he did not). Yes

Emerging skills half can do-
Starts talking about self:   "I go poop"
Can arrange things in categories:  not sure we have had him try.....
Can walk downstairs:   oh yes.

Advanced skills few can do-
Begins to understand abstract concepts like sooner and later: sort of ish.... but not really.
Becomes attuned to gender differences: not yet. He has a penis and im wondering how he will react when he sees sister does not.
Learns to jump:  oh yes