Bringing Brother Home

Here's a video clip of the girls with little baby Alessandro -- their first time seeing him.

Funny side note: When Daddy came with the girls to the hospital room to pick us up, Mommy was still in the shower. From there, I could hear Daddy showing them little Alessandro. "He's not in Mommy's tummy anymore," he explained. After some "ooh-ing" and "awe-ing," I come out of the shower to say hello. Ava looks at me and, while pointing to my tummy, quickly says, "Mommy, are you having another one?" OK, it may take some time to get rid of the whole pooch, but give a girl a break!! I shed nearly 15-lbs in one day!!

Welcome, Baby Brother!

Little Baby Brother, now called Alessandro Andrea, was welcomed yesterday! We are all very excited by this beautiful bundle of joy (and I am so very thankful for no longer being pregnant)!

I was so surprised at just how easily everything went - when we finally got it all started! Paul and I weren't sure that the OB observation was going to admit us when we arrived at 4am with the "right number" of contractions again. Just like the last time, there were the "right number," but they weren't doing too much in allowing labor to progress. However, with my OB back from vacation and scheduled to come in in a few hours, they let me see her in the hospital rather than the office. She came in around 10:30am when she broke my water. By noon-ish, I'd requested my epidural and I was ready to push at about 2:45pm. Little Alex came soon after - at 3:25pm, and Paul and I had "won our prize." There was only one complication during heavy labor when his heartbeat did drop enough to concern the doctors. He recovered fine and all appeared seamless to me, but I found out later that they did contact the anaesthesiologist to set up an emergency c-section. Turns out, there was some placenta abruption and that is probably what upset little Alex. Lucky for us, he recovered and we were able to finish the VBAC.

Both he and I were tired after his birth and, after Daddy went home to be with the girls, we took a nap. When he woke, he latched on both sides like a pro. This left me thinking smugly that having one was really super easy. He's got a great disposition, a face like Ava's and dimples like Bettina and his cousin Braxton. Just as Aunt Ainsley guessed, he's got a lot of hair, which looks like it will be a bit curly. We are truly blessed by this little spirit and look forward to introducing him to his sisters, who will come to help bring him home tomorrow.

Tim Russert - What a Country!

A long time ago - perhaps 12 years? - I started watching Meet the Press most every Sunday morning. At least more Sundays than I'd go to church, at the time. I was never very political before, but Tim Russert, the host, broke it all down in a way that made it very easy to follow and get excited about current events and issues effecting politics.

A year or so after I started watching, I found myself rooming with a really nice gal, about my age, who did the same volunteer position I did for our sorority but for another school - she in Washington DC and me at UC Berkeley. We were flown out to Ohio to get our annual training. After sharing a couple of days with her, and noticing she'd check her email at every opportunity, I asked what she did for a living. "I'm in television," she answered simply. After more questions, I pull from her that she not only works on Meet the Press, she's the Executive Producer. She's just making sure that everything's cued up for tomorrow's guest and that Tim has everything he needs. WOW, I think. Such a nice and humble girl with a huge responsibility dealing with someone I really admire. On top of all of that, she does a great job running the local chapter of our sorority, and I know how much time that takes!

Well, Betsy and I continue to be friends, long after our stint as room mates in Ohio. We email often about how to solve certain problems, never forget to send Christmas cards, celebrate the births of our children and call each other when in town to get together for a drink (well, she traveled more often than I did). The one time I was able to travel to DC, it was for a sorority convention. Betsy and I made time for a drink (even though I was pregnant) and she even introduced me to Tim, who was there as a guest speaker. Tim even gave me a copy of his book, Big Russ and Me. I was surprized just how much I enjoyed reading it.

When I heard about Tim's death last Friday, it shocked me two-fold. He had the ability that I so admire in people that makes you know that he's listening to you; he's one that lives in the "here and now," attentive to details and curious about people. Even though my visit with him was relatively short, I had his attention the whole time. He was curious about me, my opinions and was a pleasure to be in his company. For the loss of someone like that, it is a great tragedy. However, my devestation was doubled knowing that, if Tim was at work at the time of his death, surely Betsy had a front-row seat. It must have been a very, very difficult day for her and my heart bleeds for her. I immediately emailed her my thoughts, knowing she probably won't go through her email for weeks.

I watched Tim's memorials on TV. Each time, Betsy played an important role. She sat next to Tom Brokaw as part of the panel that first Sunday. She was one of the many speakers at his service and I watched as she sat composed and poised, full of wonderful memories and insights into Tim and his life. I marvel at and thank God for people as poised, humble and just plain good people. I hope we learn to be as patriot, supportive, interested, invested and loyal as Tim Russert. Friends like Betsy inspire me to be just so.

Nearly 40-Weeks

Tomorrow, we reach the 40-week mark of this preganacy. You would have never convinced me two-weeks ago that I'd still be pregnant today. I was so convinced that I'd be early. In fact, I was so sure I didn't want to be pregnant, that I literally took my suitcase to my last OB appointment and demanded they either break my water or schedule a c-section for me (I still have that option, right?). Between the heat (in the 90's in the City, cooling only to the mid-80's at night) this week and my weight and bulk, sleep has become a serious issue. I've only been able to manage between 2-4 hours a night, waking every 1.5 hours, and I see birthing as my only reprieve.

With my regular OB still enjoying Legoland, I meet her replacement - someone new to the group. Unfortunately, I'm not able to convince him or guilt him into doing much to help me. "You know we can't induce you," he says. How about breaking my water? "I'll do that if you're already in labor, but you're not yet. If you want the C, fine, but the first opening we can plan won't be until Monday afternoon. Again, if you're in labor and change your mind, I'll do it over the weekend, but you have to wait for the labor." He looks at me puzzled at my impatience as we discuss semantics of "just a few days." Nobody seems to understand - I leave, defeated, but also with another appointment to see my regular doctor at her first opening, Monday. She assured me I'd deliver before then - perhaps, if this kid's still stuck inside then, I can guilt her into doing a bit more.

The one thing the new guy was willing to do was strip my membranes - for the 3rd time. He did a good job, though, stretching another 1.5 cm. He encouraged me that everything looks very ready: 80% efaced, 3.5 cm dilated and "very soft." Well, as it did the other 2 weeks, the striping sent me into contractions again, but nothing with any type of regularity. It made me a bit sore, PMS-y, walking like I was carrying a log between my legs, and sure I'd check into the hospital by Saturday. There was an upside as the 21st is a common birthday in our family: my birthday, the girls', and baby Braxton were all born on the 21st. Perhaps, we could have all my parents' grandchindren born on the 21st of a month!

I tried everything permitted. I even schuduled a hair appointment, thinking that Murphy's Law would help. My nervous hairdresser had obsessively thought of what to do should I start giving birth while she's doing my hair, but never had to act on it. Even Murphy's Law isn't as strong as this kid's resolve to stay cozy inside.

All dressed up and nowhere to go? Well, at least yesterday afternoon, it seems as though contractions are starting to organize a little bit. Yesterday, they were about 1/2-hour apart moving to about 15-minutes apart last night. Is today the day? I'm starting to become a cynic, yet I'm stubbornly still driving with packed bags in the car. The contractions didn't go away during the night, but I didn't stay up and time them, either. We'll just have to try not to think about it...hope for the best (today) and plan for the worst (organizing another sit-in at my OB's appointment tomorrow!).

Anticipation....

"Will try anything!" including Skipolini's Prego Pizza
Remember the old Heinz commercials? "Anticipa-a-ation is making me wait..." So feeling that right now. Two days ago, at my last OB appointment, the doctor again stripped my membranes in an effort to start things along. I'm still at a little over 2-cm dilated, but "it's a softer" cervix now, which, apparently, is suppossed to be better sign of readiness. She predicted it would happen over the weekend: "Saturday or Sunday," she says. "Make an appointment for next week, just in case, but I'd be really surprized if I saw you again next Monday."

You see, she's going to Legoland this week with her 2 and 4-year olds. Perhaps she said "sometime over the weekend" just to make me feel better. After having my membranes stripped for the second time, and yet one more Prego Pizza dinner from Skipolini's (we brought the whole family this time: party of 13 - as if the increased number would also increase our odds and not just our cheering section), but nothing but a bit of heartburn has happened.

Yet, I continue to try to make the house ready, just in case. I do a load of laundry every day and check to make sure I have at least 3-days worth of food in the house for "whoever" will be here with the kids. My sister will leave back for home tomorrow, so it's not likely going to be her. Wouldn't it have been a great Father's Day present if Daddy's little man showed up today? Well, we only have 9-more hours for that Father's Day present. Otherwise, it's just more of the same waiting game.

38 Weeks and Desparately Uncomfortable

I'm supposed to still have 2-more weeks to go. I suspected that I would be at least 2-weeks early, as it's been my family history: both my sister and I were quite early (me by nearly 3-months and Ainsley by 3-weeks; even Ainsley birthed 2-weeks early). Already, I'm carrying this baby 2-weeks longer than the girls - 2-weeks and a day, to be exact. This is good, I know, but I keep having dreams and fantasies about how labor's going to start and give me the eventual relief from this heavy load I'm carrying. At over 46-inches around at the widest part (which is nothing compared to the 54 I was with the girls), I've got sciatic pain in my lower left back, between my shoulder blades when I sleep for more than 2-hours, and "Baby" is sitting directly on nerves that, when rubbed, causes me to involuntarily bend and collapse my leg. Itchy skin on my tummy is a bother, as well as other unmentionables from the load-bearing weight that should resolve itself after the birth. I went out shopping for new nursing bras and am amazed at the size of the monstrosity they give me: 34G (that's 5 cups sizes larger than my usual monstrosities)! They only have 2 in stock, so I get them both.

I get winded brushing my teeth or blow-drying my hair. I drag a stool over to the counter when I cook and I haven't been able to reach the toys lost under the couch for months. I slash at them with a long-handled broom which either rescues them or send them further back into the abyss. Twice a month, the cleaning lady and her son made a small pile of the books, puzzle pieces, tiny doll shoes, etc. that can finally be reunited with their like parts.

Looking at the positive, it's supposed to be beautiful weather all week long. The girls have been almost as desperate to go swimming as I have been to feel the freedom of buoyancy. They put on their swimsuits nearly everyday despite the fact it's only 65-degrees outside. Today, however, it should reach 91-inland; 80 by the Bay. I've pestered everyone I know who belongs to a pool for a playdate. If no one responds, I'm thinking I'll just hop the fence ;-)

There are signs of birthing soon, however. Last week, my OB "helped" by manually stretching me (ouch!) another 1/2 cm so that I'm a little over 2 cm dilated and almost all effaced. That night, my contractions were frequent enough to call in and they sent me down to the hospital. It was a regular fire drill: Paul's mom was called at 10:15pm to watch the girls while we bumbled to pack things into Paul's truck and wind our way to the hospital. True to "everyone's" story, I nagged Paul about him taking the longest route to the hospital invented as well as driving the stiffest car (I'm never riding in the truck again until after this kid's born!). Ended up that the contractions weren't doing too much to change anything. They gave us the option to check in or go home - we went home and things quieted down even more.

We got a call from my uncle this morning who tells us he and my cousin (the one that was deployed to The Gulf and currently on leave and visiting home) and family were going to come down for a visit. Elated, it's the only reason I'm glad I haven't given birth. I figure after their visit, I can celebrate by having a pizza dinner at Skipolini's. They have a pizza, called the Prego Pizza, that's guaranteed to send you into labor within 24-hours. Does it sound like I'm ready??? I'm ready!

The Big Ballet Recital

Today was the big day - the ballet recital!! Miss Jenny decided to practice and dance in the big auditorium instead of the classroom since it was available. This was neat for some kids, since they liked being on stage and having extra lights, but it intimidated others who cried and refused to dance with the rest of the class. Luckily, our girls were OK with the change.
Grandma, her friend Inga and Daddy all came to watch the girls preform. It was clear that my girls really only understood a couple of moves by name: plie' and very-official-sounding "bunny hop." The rest of the time, they were just copying Miss Jenny, which is perfectly fine.

In the first video above, Ava (the wobbly girl to the right of the one with the fluffy skirt) attentively follows Miss Jenny while Bettina sort of aimlessly wanders around.

At least the "bunny hop" (above - with Bettina as the first bunny and Ava the second) was a little easier to remember!

This last one is the passe' - Bettina is third followed by my childhood playmate Simone's daughter Paige; Ava is 5th. They also learned to do first and second positions, arabesques, "tippy-toe turns," and a curtsy. All and all, it was a very cute event. We went out for a cookie afterward to celebrate!