the singing bird will come

Friday, September 12, 2008

First kiss from Sophie Lu & a sweet welcome home!

Daddy surprised me and brought Sophie Lu (who wasn't yet sick) to visit when Sasha was only 16 hours old! I have video too- I'll have to look for that...

The first kiss of many to come from her big sister Sophie Lu!

Such kissable Baby Sasha lips, too (less than a day old)!

While I was away, Daddy and Sophie Lu made us this beautiful welcome home sign & hung it over the garage (of course, I cried when I saw it)! It felt so so wonderful to be home!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

5 Days Old!

Baby Sasha had her 5 day check-up today, and all is well! The greatest news is that she has already surpassed her birthweight of 8lbs 4.4oz. She now weighs 8lbs 8oz! I'm so happy about this, because it means that she and I are doing a good job at nursing (something I had been warned may be hard to do after a C-Section). The C-Section wasn't half as awful as I thought it would be. After 23 hours of excruciating contractions around 2 minutes apart with no progress past 5cm dilated half way through (no progress whatsoever for the 2nd 12 hours), the OB and my doula finally talked me into consenting to the C-Section (they even consulted other doctors & a midwife). They explained that with hard labor like this, I should have been dilating around 1.2cm an hour, but they were seeing no change. I was shaking and crying hysterically in opposition, but since Sasha's condition was beginning to look unstable, and my water had been broken over 24 hours (risking infection), they explained that I had NO choice- that they could say with 100% certainty that I would not deliver my baby vaginally. Truly, I was heartbroken... but all is well that ends well; and now I have my perfect, beautiful baby girl to attest to that. Apparently, she had been trying so hard to get down the birth canal that whole time... her head was completely cone-shaped (unusual for C-Section babies), and she was quite bruised up. But my cervix would not open- it just wouldn't no matter what we tried (different positions, etc, even pitocin at the end). I guess it shouldn't have surprised me since I was never able to miscarry naturally either (and I waited months the first time). But like I said, it was all worth it; and I'm so thankful that we are both recovering so well. :)

Thanks to everyone for the beautiful emails and comments of congratulations and well wishes! As for the comments regarding make-up in the operating room- believe me, I didn't look all that great up close... my make-up had been on for over 24 hours- the secret is good ol' cheap Covergirl waterproof eye make-up and 18 hour lipstick. :)

We came home to a very sick Sophie Lu and Ollie. Both have coughs/colds, and Sophie has pink-eye in both eyes (I wish I had known this before I let her hold Sasha that first day). But as soon as they both recover, I'll be taking lots of photos of my three angels together (so long as I can catch them)!

I'll update again in a couple days for Sasha's one-week birthday! :)

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Introducing...

We are so happy to finally announce the birth of our precious baby girl...

Sasha Lili Lushan

born September 6, 2008 at 6:16pm by way of emergency C-Section. Our tiny princess weighed in at 8 lbs 4.4 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long! She has dark blue eyes and a beautiful head full of light brown hair. She loves to nurse and to stay close to Mommy and Daddy! We love her so much!!!

Some photos from the big day...

"Mommy, where are you?" One of the reasons I was so sad about the C-Section was that I would miss out on the instant contact and one-on-one time with my baby girl. I think she missed me too, but Daddy did a wonderful job looking after her...

I could barely see her as the doctors worked on both of us, but I think this is the moment that I first heard her cry...

And then Daddy showed me my beautiful daughter. I was and still am in so much awe of her!

She held on to Daddy's finger so tightly. As they worked on me, I just focused on this scene. Daddy was so emotional, and he kept having to remind me that this was really happening.

8 lbs 4.4 ounces!!!

Finally, I got the chance to hold my daughter

We were both so proud!

And SO in love...

She had a quick bath and then came back to Mommy to nurse for the very 1st time! We both did great! It really is such a miracle...

The face of my kitten... our precious angel. And she's all ours!

Welcome to the world, sweet Sasha Lili! You are so very very loved~

*Sasha was named in honor of her big sister Sophie Lu Yushan. Lili Lushan means "Beautiful gift of prosperity and virtue."

Monday, September 1, 2008

Silly Pirate Girl!

I am still sooo behind on both Sophie & Ollie's blogs (and I'm trying really hard to stay within a week of being current w/ Sasha's before I get behind there too)! I took these photos way back in July! Sophie Lu is constantly coming up with the silliest outfits. She love to play dress-up and just cracks me up with her fashion choices. I thought this pirate get-up was particularly funny! She really knows how to make me laugh! :)