Guest Blogger: Welcome to the World, EER.

Guest blogger: MJR
Why blog when I could just look at her?
Anyway,
Today was the day of days...today was the day we were finally going to have a child. Neither one of us had to be up until 530, but we both were up before then. I was up at 5:00. Due to the fact that her arrival was a scheduled C-section (because of her impending size and her inability to drop), we didn't need to be to the hospital until 6:30. We each got ready for the day, the last time as non-parents. Amanda had it a little different, no makeup. I stopped at Burger King for breakfast (Amanda wasn't able to eat) and we headed to the hospital.

Upon arrival at 620, we checked into labor and delivery. The nurses were nice, we received directions on what to prep for, what to do, and what to wear. We sat for an hour and half while we waited. We watched Animal Planet on TV until 745 but there was some hiccups as there was problems with getting Amanda onto an IV - her rash was preventing this to be an easy process and required extra attention. This ended up pushing back our times.

After we were set up there, I changed into my scrubs, party hat, and booties. Wasn't too long after

that I escorted Amanda into the edge of the operating area. I wasn't able to enter while they gave Amanda the epidural and prepped her onto the table. She said it wasn't as bad as she expected to get the needle and they put her onto the table, strapping her arms down and setting up the blue sheet. When I was able to enter, which I occupied by watching sports center, they brought me into the room and showed my designated area where I was to hold Amanda's hand. I must admit this was my first time in the operating room, it was very bright and cool. The staff finished up with a "timeout".

Dr 1: Timeout.
Dr: We have Amanda Remynse here 32 year old patient, here for a cesarean section. Allergies are penicillin and sulfa, does all concur.
Unison: yes.

From there we watched a countdown for Amanda's drugs to take effect, showing that she was numb. After that completed, I was not allowed to go past the curtain. The doctors kept asking Amanda if she could feel things, which she responded "no." It was all going. I didn't know what was going on... a couple minutes into it, one of the doctors said "Woah! That's a lot of water!" Which gave the cue that she was coming. I was told to prepare... pulled out my camera and I heard it...

9:12: Baby lightly: wahhhhh.

As I took the picture, I showed Amanda...Dr. Bury also held her above the screen for Amanda to see her - bringing tears to her eyes.
Dr Bury: We've got a little red head!
ALR looks at MJR, MJR looks at ALR.
Dr. Bury: Oh, she's a BIG Baby!

They cut the cord in the sterile area, I told Amanda how beautiful she looked. They took her over to the NICU nurse and they began to rub the baby down going from shades of purple to pink. She softly cried, giving a good APAGAR score. Once the nurse was comfortable, I was able to cut the final cord. It was pretty cool, much larger and bloodier than I expected.

Nurse: 9 pounds 6 ozs.
Dr. Bury: Oh, we made the right decision! And she's soo long.
Nurse: 23 inches.

I was watching both between Amanda and the baby, I did give Amanda a thumbs up to let her know how good the baby was doing to eliminate the fluids from her body. I was finally able to hold her near Amanda, giving her a clean shot of our baby girl. This gave time to finish up Amanda's incision. There was concern about the baby's sugars and the nurses asked our permission to give her a supplement to get her going. You could hear the sucking happening through the room as she had her first meal.

Dr. Bury: Amanda, do we have a name?
ALR: Eleanor Eileene

They wheeled us into recovery, where we had an hour and half of family time to be together. I also sent out some beginning texts to let people know she had finally arrived. We didn't give out the name though, we wanted the grandparents to hear it first. We also worked together to get her to nurse. I did go out to let my mom and dad and called Diana and Perry to let them know we would be moving into our own room.

12:00: as the nurse pushed ALR and MJR pushed Eleanor to our room
Nurse: This is your lullaby. (softly playing over the intercom announcing her birth)

What a blur after that. Grandma and Grandpa Remynse came in and introduced. They were allowed to stay for half an hour before nurses came to go over things with both Amanda and baby. Grandma and Grandpa Moser came soon as well, in time to meet baby and check on Amanda. Both held her and while Grandpa came, Aunt Alaina came in full of tears and emotion. She reminded Amanda of how Alaina was at the wedding. She took Eleanor from Grandpa.

Throughout the day, we relaxed and got acquainted. Other visitors for the day were Great Grandma Dar, Great Grandma Elaine and Great Grandpa LaVerne. We got flowers from Great Aunt Judy as well as plant from Grandma Di - who gave them in the same plant holder that Amanda received flowers in when she was born. Aunt Alaina brought a balloon bouquet.

Through out the day I made phone calls and texts announcing her name, weight, and length. At about 8:00 that night, we were just the three of us. At that same time, EER had her first diaper filling. Unfortunately, I wasn't up to the task and had to get assistance and education from a nurse. This meconium was disgusting. I was quickly educated on the changing and swaddling of the baby. The nurses had much better burritos than I did. Eleanor had a peaceful night... too peaceful, I had to do a couple life checks, amusing Amanda. That was the first day.... 5:00am to midnight.

Best meal: Mom and Dad brought me two Jimmy John sandwiches. Amanda's first meal was a banana popsicle and an applesauce.

MJR gives thumbs up: She's beautiful.
ALR begins to tear up.
Anesthesiologist assistant dabs ALR's eyes.