The Greenlee Family: Colin Patrick Greenlee- The 1st Week

Baby Colin surprised us all and came a bit early, and we couldn't have been happier! Here's what we've been up to the past week! (We have tons of help this week from family, which is why I have time and energy to write this! We are so lucky :) ) This is really LONG!

Colin Patrick Greenlee
August 6, 2012
3:09am
8 lb. 4 oz.
20.5 in

Sunday, August 5th- 2am: My water breaks! We head to the hospital, arrive around 4am, and are checked in. I start having contractions as they are checking me in. I was barely dilated 1cm (you have to get to 10!) so they basically induced me my giving me pitocen to make me dilate further. My wonderful labor nurse, Barbie, told me "not to be a martyr" and get an epidural, and she didn't have to twist my arm at all! I was already planning on getting one. I got the epidural mid morning on Sunday, and was happy for a while. The labor floor was busy Sunday, and with only 1 doc on (yes, really) and 5 women in labor, things got a little crazy. An emergency c-section called almost all nurses, most importantly the anesthesia nurse, away from the rest of us. While the c-section was happening (2 hours), my epidural wore off on one side, then completely. In pain, Zach helped me breath through the rough contraction that the pitocen had brought on. I was finally able to have the epidural redone, only to have it wear off again. Third times a charm, and Sunday afternoon brought relief! After hours on pitocen and lots of pain, I was only dilated to 1 cm, so they upped the pitocen. Sunday evening I was further dilated and the pain was coming back. I was begging to be numbed, but was being told if I was numbed I wouldn't be able to push. I told (well whined to) the anesthesia nurse that if he gave me something to numb me I would find SOME WAY to push when it was time. He gave me something that helped a TON, and I will forever be grateful to him for that! By this time it is Sunday evening, and nurse Barbie has been off shift and now is back to me my labor nurse again!

Monday, August 6- At midnight, I was fully dilated and was sat upright so hopefully I would have to push for less time. At 2am, 24 hours after my water broke, it was time to push. Barbie told me that I would deliver in less than an hour, which was great news to us! Remember when I said there was only 1 doctor? The baby was crowning, I was a few pushes away from delivering, and the doc had to be pulled away to another delivery where the baby was in distress. I was told to stop pushing. WHAT!!!??? I was at this time begging nurse Barbie to "just catch the baby!" Zach was so great, trying to keep me calm. Finally, after 20 minutes of waiting, I asked Barbie what had to be done for her to catch the baby. She said if he came out on his own, or if I couldn't stop from pushing, she could. I was determined at this point, and just started pushing on my own!!! She ran around preparing the room as I'm pushing on my own, and yelling for the doc to come in. A few minutes later our sweet baby boy was out! 3:09 am, 23 hours after labor started. He was put on my chest immediately after, but was then taken to the baby bed because I was shaking and losing blood b/c I'd torn and been cut. He was so perfect, and he was here!!!! Zach and I were so exhausted, and were so glad for him to be there. Finally I was able to hold him, and enjoy him. Our moms were there too, and came in after to hold him.

Monday morning we were moved to a different room b/c there were so many people delivering. We tried to sleep, and did get some. At this hospital the babies room in with the parents, there is no nursery. Every time we heard him sniffle or cough we were up and checking on him! We were both exhausted at this point and I was a little sore from delivery.

Tuesday when the nurse came in to check on us, she noticed baby was a bit yellow. She was worried about his bilirubin levels (jaundice). They usually don't check their levels until it's time to leave the hospital, but she noticed it so she checked. It worked out b/c if they hadn't caught it then we would have had to stay in the hospital an extra day. So, we were moved to another room, and our poor baby was put under a blue lamp for 12 hours! He had to stay under there as much as possible, when he wasn't being fed or changed. And he had to wear these little goggles over his eyes (he did not like this). He loves being swaddled and does not like being naked, so this was a long 12 hours! BUT it worked and the next day we went home!

Wednesday we went home and my mom and Zach's mom were there to help and cook and just be there. That was nice! Baby was having some trouble eating, he didn't want to nurse, and it was painful when we did try.

Thursday we visited the hospital again to see the lactation specialist, and baby had lost a bit too much weight (b/c he wouldn't eat!) She suggested we supplement with formula and that I start pumping. I was sad that I couldn't nurse him, but just wanted him to eat!

Friday we went back to the hospital again for his 1st scheduled well baby appointment. He was so good, the doctor commented on how sweet and calm he was! :) He had gained some weight back. The next appointment was scheduled for 2 weeks later.

Saturday- your due date! We're so glad you decided to join us early! :) We gave him his first bath today, and he hated it! He hates to be naked- diaper changes, baths- and loves to be swaddled and held close.

On Sunday Grandma Sarah (Zach's mom) came to stay with us for a few days. Today was the first time he peed while I was changing his diaper!

Sorry, some of these pics are out of order. It keeps moving them on me and I'm tired of trying to move them back!