OUR FIRST BATH

Ok, if this is not the cutest thing you have ever seen then...I don't know what but its darn cute!! Of course she cried like a wild banshee the entire time but instantly stopped when I held her up in what I call the 'sumo' pose (her cheeks look like a sumo wrestler).

THIS BABY THING IS HARD!

Look people, let me tell you something.

All the parents who try and glaze over the first 6 weeks of having a newborn at home with comments like; "Its a challenge but its so much fun" or, "Its just the lack of sleep that's getting to us" or (and this one is my favorite) "He/She was such an angel, sleeping through the night at the first week and hardly ever crying." are either CRAZY or they are LYING to you. Yes it IS a challenge - FUN....um.... not necessarily. Lack of sleep is just the tip of the iceberg, the endless hours of crying, the worry about doing something that would eventually be their demise, the racking your brain for that ONE thing that will soothe this savage beast, the endless hours of crying....you get the picture. And for those who have that 'angel' baby - you will get yours, oh yes, maybe not now but someday your sweet offspring will square off with you and make you wish they were tiny and perfect again. I like to think that Rya will be the most congenial of teenagers to make up for her squirly ways as a baby by always doing her homework without being told, tidying up 'just because', being 5 minutes early for curfew every time, only dating boys when she is 18 and in college, saving herself for marriage....(don't kill the dream people - this fantasy is how I get through my days ok.)

P.S. Notice the bags underneith my eyes and the faux smile that says "It took me 45 minutes to soothe her and if that flash wakes this baby I will kick your ass!"

A BIT OF TROUBLE

Everything was going along wonderfully in the hospital until the second day. Rya swallowed some 'goo' on the way out and had the first of a series of choking incidents where she stopped breathing and turned blue. Luckily the incredible nursing staff was nearby every time so she could get the appropriate care. We stayed an extra day in the hospital for observation and to learn infant CPR from the NICU docs (a dreadful thing to do when you think you might have to use it on your OWN child one day). Fortunately, her little system became stronger and she grew out of this phase. We felt so blessed to have such a wonderful support system of family, friends and especially the doctors and nurses at the hospital - some of which we consider true friends.

Needless to say, it was terrifying and sent me into somewhat of a tailspin when we settled back at home. With only 20 hours of sleep in 7 days, the extreme stress of her choking issues and raging post delivery hormones - I developed severe post partum depression. It is an embarrassing thing to admit - I guess most moms don't because maybe they think that others will judge them for not being ELATED over the birth of their little one but I think more women should be open and honest about it so we can support each other. I never once thought of harming myself or Rya - thank god. My more notable symptoms were insomnia, loss of appetite, vomiting, nervousness and extreme anxiety that resulted in debilitating panic attacks. We had prepared ourselves for this by discussing with my OBGYN the possibility that I would get PPD (depression runs in the family). Mike took control and called the doctor, who put me on Lexipro and that really helped.

Again, I urge more moms to talk about the difficulty they have after childbirth - even if its not PPD but just the feelings that go along with the incredible life change that children bring with them. I will tell you, after my mom-friends told me they had some of the same feelings that I was having it made me feel SO much better about myself as a new mom.

THE DELIVERY

The delivery was...dare I say...fun?! We choose to induce so we could guarantee that the experience was 'hosted' by our OBGYN, and not some cranky on-call doc that we did not know. Long story short:

• Contractions HURT.
• Epidurals are niiiice.
• Pushing is freakin HARD.
• Looking at your lady bits in a mirror when a tiny human is coming out of them is just plain surreal.
• Having your husband right by your side telling you he loves you and you are amazing as HE sees my lady bits in this state is even more surreal.
• Hanging out in between pushes is much more entertaining when the doc and nurses are rocking out to the ipod playlist that your husband lovingly crafted.
• Cannot begin to explain the emotions of seeing her for the first time - or the high pitched squealing/crying that I was making at that moment.
• Not a stitch to be sewn, was up walking a few minutes afterwards and took two Motrin a few hours later...........i am woman HEAR ME ROAR!

Rya West was born on November 7th, 2008 at 3:41 P.M. at 21" long and 6 lbs 11oz - and to us, simply perfect.

FINALLY

It took three years of winging it, NOT winging it, peeing on sticks, copious Internet research, doctors appointments, surgery, crying, laughing, crying again, peeing on MORE sticks and doing "it" like crazed monkeys to create this little girl. I tell you, it was all worth every bloody second of it. We cannot thank everyone enough for all the expertise, support, love and prayers that helped us fulfill this dream.