It's The Age of Aquarius

Today marks my second baby's birthday. She's four today! I can't believe it's been four years already.

Sissy was my 9th pregnancy. She was born at 39 weeks (full term), 7lbs, 5 oz and almost 20 inches long. This was after I had been diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder that leads to miscarriage.

The "cure" for this disorder is blood thinner in the order of injections to the belly twice a day for the duration of the pregnancy.

The day I found out I was pregnant with her was the day of Buddy's last day of school and the school picnic. I came home, hot and frazzled, since the picnic takes place at a local park. It was the end of his first grade year. I really wanted some wine for the evening, but decided to take a pregnancy test...I mean, we had been trying, so even though my monthly friend wasn't due for another 5 days, I figured better to be safe than sorry.

Besides, I had a boat load of the $1 pregnancy sticks from the Dollar Store. I almost passed out when I saw 2 lines!

Luckily, I still had Lovenox (the blood thinner injection) left over from the failed pregnancy before and I had enough to get me started. I did my first injection that night.

Now, regular old time readers will know that needles don't bother me - I had been injecting myself daily for 7 years at that point with the medication I take to manage my MS. I went off that injection and onto Lovenox - instead of one injection a day, I now had TWO. Lucky me!

I went into the obs office the next morning for blood work, then again 2 days later. Everything looked great. A few weeks later, I had my first ultrasound that showed a strong heartbeat and a healthy little bean.

Because of my high risk (age, medical problems), I was closely monitored and even rented a hospital grade fetal doppler, so I could listen to her heart beat as much as I wanted. I typically did it in the morning and again before I went to bed.

I had about 25 ultrasounds with her. We knew she was a girl from early on. I refused all testing other than ultrasounds because I don't trust those tests (that's a whole different blog - I'll spare you the details for now).

As time drew near, we scheduled the c-section for February 2. I already had a January baby and the garnet birthstone. I wanted that pretty amethyst too! LOL.

After 39 weeks, I was a mess of bruises:



I had gained 13 lbs (not for lack of trying, though - I had a very healthy appetite!). Those are size 4 maternity jeans from the Gap - the only place I could find clothes to fit.

The Evil Twin and I made the trek to the hospital early. The nurses came in to shave me, but we all know I take care of that business myself. The one nurse said, "You don't have to bother, she's done the work herself." LOL. I'm serious, you honestly lose all manner of modesty when having a baby is involved.

Once again, the Evil Twin held my hand and sat by my side during the operation. My OB pulled her out and waggled her over the screen and said, "Hi, Mommy!" She was a mess! But so lovely. A lovely, lovely mess.

She was born on Thursday morning around 10:50 am and we were discharged from the hospital on Saturday. I don't think I laid her down for more than a few minutes the entire time! I loved on her, nursed her, slept with her in my arms, ate my meals while she nursed and longed to be home with my family. My WHOLE family. All four of us. I knew we were complete.



What a fat little sweetie! :-)

And now, she is four! She loves to color. She loves Spongebob. She loves photography, so she got a REAL (not a kiddie) camera for her birthday:



It's a 10 mp with all the bells and whistles. I found it for the same price as the 1.3 mp "kiddie" cameras and felt like, "WTH?" Get her the nicer one. She's very gentle with it and LOVES capturing all her favorite things.

She's my baby, but she's also my big girl. I love her more than I can express. Plus, we have cake for after dinner tonight! I love cake, too. LOL.