Three weeks old (tomorrow)

We have had a good week. Wyatt went back to school, Lincoln went back to work, and Natalia, Simone, and I had a good time at home.

Two people in my neighborhood knew I was pregnant. The rest on them are stopping me in the street on our way to or from the bus stop with their mouths hanging open. I guess my poofy coat hid my belly all winter! It is funny to talk to them, and try to convince them she mine!

5 POUNDS 4 OUNCES!

I stopped supplementing after two days. I couldn't stand it, and Simone couldn't either. She was so confused. It looks like it didn't matter!!! =) I am so happy.

Talia got strep throat the day after Simone came home. She has been asking to hold her for five days nonstop! She was very happy to finally be able to hold "your baby."

Sweet little kiss

I love a baby in a onesie!

I know she was doing this in my belly, and making this face! It was so painful! =) She would jam that little foot as far as it would possibly go into my right side. I don't miss it, but I am glad I got a picture of her doing it.

First photo session (s)

Welcome Home Simone!

Nine days in the NICU.

She got to come home today. I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to have her sleeping in her bassinet upstairs!



Today was the first time Wyatt got to see her. He had scarlet fever, and couldn't come into the NICU. The kids adore her. Wyatt is a little shy and doesn't want to hold her very long. He rubs her head and kisses it. Natalia wants to hold her ALL the time. She isn't very gentle with her, and I will have to keep a close eye on that big sister.

Simone kept having "desats" at the hospital. This means she would forget to breath while she was eating. One day she began to turn blue. This is why they kept her in the NICU as long as they did. I got to nurse her twice today, and she is doing so well. I am so surprised. We have to take her to her pediatrician in the morning to see if she is gaining weight. She lost a little yesterday, and they want to make sure she doesn't continue to do so.

Ahhh! To hold her with out wires and cords is DIVINE!

It was such a rainy day. For my photog friends- I was shooting at 1.4, because there was no light! Not good when there are three kids. I am planning a photo shoot tomorrow. I can't wait, and it had better be sunny! =)

Lincoln got me the cutest necklace ever. Yes, I picked it out, and added it to his favorites on his lap top.....but he did buy it after Simone was born. Here it is....I love it.

Simone-- 5 days old

Quick update on Simone.

(Everyone looks better in black and white when they have jaundice! =)

She is doing very well today. Her bilirubin count was at a 12, and she had to go under the lights for a day or so. It is now at 9.5, and they will take her out at 8:00 tonight. Then retest tomorrow, and see if the her number has gone back up.

Sunglasses!

Tiny sunbather?

She had a lot of trouble (because being so tired as a result of the jaundice) finishing her bottles. They had a tube down her nose, and had to use it several times to finish feedings. Lincoln is such a good dad, and is always able to make her finish her bottles. The tube was taken out of her nose last night! Hooray, she is doing so well. She can breath out her nose now too. =) I am determined to nurse her and hope that the transition isn't hard for her.

We are doing well at home. My Mom is here until Sunday. I am so thankful that she is here. I can't imagine how hard it would have been without her!! It is hard to be home without my baby though. It is so strange, and sometimes think I am still pregnant. I have been able to visit her a lot though, and it heavenly to hold her. She now weighs 2000 grams! (That is 4 lbs. 4 oz)

Simone Clara Tidwell

Monday, March 10, 2008

4 lbs. 10.8 oz

18 inches long

3:59 am

34 weeks, 6 weeks early

Those are the stats. We are so pleased that she is here.




My water broke on Sunday morning at 6:15 am. I was asleep. We got to the hospital, and they decided to wait and see what my body would do. Well, it did nothing. Lincoln had a nice enjoyable day at the hospital. In the evening Christie and Christina came and washed my hair in the sink, gave me a facial, and a hand massage. It was wonderful. My midwife and doctor decided it would be best to induce me the next morning. They put me on a SLOW pitocin drip at midnight. I KNEW when I saw that bag of pitocin that I would have her during the night...and I was right.


I started to have contractions at 1:15 am that kept waking me up. About 2:00 the contractions started to get annoying, and woke my labor coach (Lincoln). Around 2:30 am I was about 3 cm dialated and 70% effaced. This was disappointing news, because I was really starting to hurt and thought I would be much further along. My sweet coach and I kept at it, and at 3:40 am I was at 4 almost 5 cm. (This was actually a lie, my midwife couldn't bear to tell me I was still at 3 cm.) I really felt like I needed to push. Lincoln kept reminding me to breath, and NOT push. I had a few more contractions, my nurse was in the room for one of them. She also reminded me not to push. I said, "I can't wait until I hear the word PUSH!" Lincoln and my nurse laughed, and as she walked out of the room my nurse said," I'll come running in if I hear a baby cry." She was kidding, little did she know that is what she would be doing in a few minutes...



The hospital room was lit only by a computer screen monitor. Lincoln was by my side, and I was tucked in bed. I held his arm. I screamed "The baby is coming RIGHT NOW! SHE IS COMING!" Lincoln scrambled for the nurse call button, but never found it. Our baby girl arrived. Under the blankets. Every nurse on the floor heard me and was in the room seconds later. I scrambled to throw the blankets off me. My nurse got to her first, and she told me she was fine. This is when I started crying. I don't think I stopped for 30 minutes. My midwife ran into the room pulling at the waist band of her pants and tying them up. She said, "Can't I even pee in this hospital?" We all laughed. The baby was doing so well. Breathing beautifully, and screaming at the top of her lungs. I got to hold her for about five minutes and enjoyed every second. They took her to the NICU, and we got to go see her about an hour later.













Her first day was a hard day. She had low blood sugar, was not able to maintain her temperature, and spitting up entire feedings. She was moved to an isolette, and had a feeding tube put down her throat. Her second day was much better. She keep down all her meals (all bottle fed), and her blood sugar level is now steady. I got to hold her so much today. It is pure heaven to have her in my arms. She knows my voice, and will turn her head when I talk. I say things like "Put those scissors away.", "No you can't have a snack, I am making dinner.", and "Pick up your shoes.", so she knows that it is me.


She has the sweetest face. I will take a picture tomorrow of her that shows it a little better. She has long long fingers, skinny feet, lots of dark brown fuzzy hair, baby rosebud lips, and sweet eyelashes.

Bed Rest

I wanted to take a minute to blog about our latest adventure.

Our baby girl tried to come early! On Sunday, I went in to the hospital at 9:00 in the morning by myself. After being admitted and checked, I began having regular contractions. Every time the nurse or midwife came in the room they would bring me worse news. I really thought that I would be sent home after receiving the test results, but that was not the case. Preterm labor is not a familiar thing for me, and everything happened so quickly. I have 40 weekers, not 33 weekers. I was so afraid. The NICU was full, so if I threatened to deliver they would have had to transfer me to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Lincoln was able to come to the hospital at 12:00. (thanks for taking the kids Christie!) Luckily after two shots of Tributalene the contractions stopped (or slowed enough) so we could go home. I am on strict bed rest until my next appointment, which is now only 8 days away.

The list of things I can't do is crazy. I can't sit in a chair. I can't go up the stairs. I can only shower every other day, and it is located up stairs. I only have bathroom privileges. I do not have kitchen privileges. No, Lincoln can't carry me up the stairs (I asked!). Maybe they are being a little paranoid, but I don't care. I am going to sit on this couch for 8 days. If we can buy her two more weeks that would be wonderful.....more than that would be FABULOUS!

I forgot to mention that my Mom is here. She flew in yesterday. My heart could just burst, because I am so thankful for her help. I am so lucky, and my kids couldn't be more pleased.