Heading Home...

March 21st, 2011

Still can't believe you are here...

Still can't believe how tiny you are...

Sunday March 20th, 2011

Even though my little Riley was not born on St-Patricks Day...he was born on the day of the Montreal St-Patricks Day Parade.

Sunday March 20th also marked the Vernal Equinox - better known as the First Day of Spring...Yes - mommy officially got her spring baby!!

He was also born the night of The Perigee-Syzygy or the Super Moon - the biggest full moon in 18 years...

An extraordinary moon - in the wee hours, she hung in the sky like the very Heart of the World...pregnant and radiant with Light...so beautiful...she took our breath away...

And as she hung over us, I lay in my final minutes - pregnant and radiant...and then...pushed into the light my beautiful baby...he lit up my world...and took my breath away...

Welcome Riley Félix-Gabriel ~ The Birth Story

Saturday March 19th - Sunday March 20th, 2011

The decision had been made to induce labor at 37 weeks. We had all agreed that what we risk loosing if something were to go wrong in the last few weeks of pregnancy far outweighed what little was left to gain by waiting a few more weeks....We still do not know what could have caused the fetal-maternal hemorrhage of our two angel babies - so we could not risk it happening again...

We arrived at the hospital - 2cm dilated, but needed cervidil to prepare the cervix and get the contractions started.

After an hour, the contractions had started and were already very regular - coming every 3 minutes and increasing in intensity.

Unfortunately, your little heart rate was not reacting well and was dipping quite frequently - having trouble coming back up...Another stress for mommy - who spent the next 4 hours, my eyes glued to the monitor - wondering...worrying...

After 4 hours, the decision was made - he cervidil had to come out - the risk of leaving it in any longer much too great.

Our next step - to start pitocin and pray your little heart rate reacts better...

Membranes stripped - water broken - contractions still every 3 minutes but getting stronger - we were on our way...

But within minutes - the alarm on the monitor began ringing...and once again...with my stomach in a knot...my eyes glanced at the numbers - and your heart rate at 80 beats per minute...too slow....

The nurses, residents and our wonderful OB - Dr B. stood calmly around my bed - but the stress on their faces - in their voices - was clearly visible....

Another decision...withoutt the pitocin - I could not dilate...we would continue with it and our wonderful doctor would remain on the department - just in case...just in case...

With my head completely flat, lying on my left side, oxygen mask in place and the sound of the alarm ringing with every contraction...I prayed....

A few hours had past, and I remained at 3cm...but the contractions were now in my back....I decided to have the epidural...

Unable to put it in while lying down - I was allowed to sit up to have it inserted but was quickly layed back flat again as soon as it was in. Able to relax a bit - I closed my eyes...

Half an hour later, I rolled onto my back quickly and felt immediate pressure....I remembered that feeling...I knew you were about to arrive...

At that moment, the resident came and did an exam - and with surprise on his face - announced I was at at 10 cm. He instructed me to try pushing to help relieve the pressure...but as soon as I started - came his voice - "stop, stop - the head is coming out"....

The next few minutes people were running everywhere in the room - getting everything ready...

I lay on my side - trying to breathe through the intense pressure...

I was then turned onto my back - and before even having a chance to push - was told the head was out and then...

Minutes old...my miracle...

There you were...lying on my tummy....that unbelievable moment was really here...you were really here...you were perfect...after so long...finally in my arms...what a day...what a moment.....

And then I noticed the umbilical cord - all twisted up and tied in a knot...and reality set in...I almost lost you...almost lost once again...

According to Dr B. - you would not have made it another day...the knot was too tight...to think we had come so far together and I almost lost you...



Riley



But here you are....

Riley Félix-Gabriel ~ born March 20th, 2011 at 2:52 am. Weighing 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long.

I knew the moment I would finally hold you in my arms would be something I would never forget...but I could never had imagined how unbelievable that moment actually was...

The Day...

March 20th, 2011

The day was finally upon me...

The day I have been waiting for...for what seems like forever....

The day I would finally meet you...

St-Patricks's Day

Though our newest little guy will not be arriving on March 17th - St-Patrick's Day - the name we have chosen is of Irish and Gaelic origin.

It means Misniúil...Cróga   - meaning Courageous...Valiant...Perfect for our little fighter....

And when he smiles...and when he laughs...I will see my little angels through him....for...

In the lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angels sing

-Chauncey Olcott





Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig!! Sláinte!



The Waiting Game

Today marked my last doctors appointment.

We are now officially on the induction list for Friday...only hours away...

And now we wait...

Wait for the call...

Wait to finally meet you...

The Nursery

The nursery is almost ready...

The crib is up...the sheets lining the bed...curtains hanging delicately in the window...the rocking chair waiting in the corner...

Beautiful paintings will soon decorate the walls...

And his name will hang over his bed...

We are ready for you little one...

We are ready...