Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Tuesday, June 27
Life as I know it - feed, burp, cry, sleep, diaper, repeat.... At least we got the passport application finished for Sophia. And now, two sentences in, I hear her little cries. More later!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Friday, June 23
As I write the date, I realize it's our due date. Thank goodness she came early! I didn't think I could carry Sophia around for much longer in this heat. So, here's the play-by-play labor story for those of you who like that sort of thing.
Wednesday morning I woke up at 5:30 am with some contractions. I thought they might be Braxton-Hicks so I just hung out around the house, waiting to see if they would go away. I decided not to go to school because they definitely weren't going away. I hung out around the apartment with the cleaning lady all morning as the contractions came about every 3 minutes and for 30 seconds. I was a little worried that I'd be rushing to the hospital in a taxi because you always hear how you're supposed to call the doctor when your contractions are 5 minutes apart. I finally gave in and called the doctor. When Joe got back from work, we headed to the doctor's office to get checked out.
He told me I was in early labor and about 1-2 cm dilated, but he told me to go ahead and go to the hospital. When we got there, I was still having contractions, but they were pretty irregular. As I started to get pretty uncomfortable, I headed down to the operating room to get my epidural. Thank you, God, for the epidural. Any woman who decides to go natural deserves to go straight to heaven. That thing was awesome! The doctor also gave me pitocin. After that, I didn't feel it, but my contractions became regular and I was dilated to 8 cm in no time.
At the end, the epidural started to wear off, and I have to say I was in some serious pain. At that point, I was thinking the ladies in my lamaze video were on crack! We headed down to the delivery room (where I got more drugs) and started pushing. Now, the doctor had said I would push her out in 2-3 pushes. I wasn't quite so good at that. It was hard to feel what was going on with the extra epidural. It took some time, but she finally made it. The doctor told us the time, but neither Joe or I can remember it. We just know that it was just after 11 pm, about 18 hours from start to finish.
Joe and I were both scared because she was so blue and it seemed to take such a long time for her to cry. The first thing we both thought when she came out was, "She's huge!" I can't believe something that big was inside of me.
We headed back upstairs and shortly after they brought the baby to nurse. In all, it was a draining, exhausting, amazing experience. We were really happy with our Egyptian hospital experience. Our doctor stayed with us the entire time, which was very comforting. The other doctor's were very good. Even the nurses spoke English and were well trained. They really did a good job of taking care of me. Joe and I put the extra money into the "Special Suite" and it was well worth it in terms of comfort. If I were to change anything it would be to know that in Egypt, you have to bring lots of stuff with you - your own robes, baby clothes, diapers, towels, things that you expect to receive at the hospital in America.
Joe's parents arrived safely in the middle of the night last night, and so we are all recovering in one way or another. It's going to be great having them here. Joe and I are really excited, and I would have to say Joe is in love with his little girl.
Enjoy the pictures. I'm sure there will be lots more to come. My favorite is all her hair. Thanks to Jennifer and family because the little booties you sent served well as mittens. (Which we also didn't realize the hospital did not provide.) Sophia Lucille Bearns made her entrance officially on June 21, 2006. 9 lbs and 1 oz. 20 1/2 inches.
Wednesday morning I woke up at 5:30 am with some contractions. I thought they might be Braxton-Hicks so I just hung out around the house, waiting to see if they would go away. I decided not to go to school because they definitely weren't going away. I hung out around the apartment with the cleaning lady all morning as the contractions came about every 3 minutes and for 30 seconds. I was a little worried that I'd be rushing to the hospital in a taxi because you always hear how you're supposed to call the doctor when your contractions are 5 minutes apart. I finally gave in and called the doctor. When Joe got back from work, we headed to the doctor's office to get checked out.
He told me I was in early labor and about 1-2 cm dilated, but he told me to go ahead and go to the hospital. When we got there, I was still having contractions, but they were pretty irregular. As I started to get pretty uncomfortable, I headed down to the operating room to get my epidural. Thank you, God, for the epidural. Any woman who decides to go natural deserves to go straight to heaven. That thing was awesome! The doctor also gave me pitocin. After that, I didn't feel it, but my contractions became regular and I was dilated to 8 cm in no time.
At the end, the epidural started to wear off, and I have to say I was in some serious pain. At that point, I was thinking the ladies in my lamaze video were on crack! We headed down to the delivery room (where I got more drugs) and started pushing. Now, the doctor had said I would push her out in 2-3 pushes. I wasn't quite so good at that. It was hard to feel what was going on with the extra epidural. It took some time, but she finally made it. The doctor told us the time, but neither Joe or I can remember it. We just know that it was just after 11 pm, about 18 hours from start to finish.
Joe and I were both scared because she was so blue and it seemed to take such a long time for her to cry. The first thing we both thought when she came out was, "She's huge!" I can't believe something that big was inside of me.
We headed back upstairs and shortly after they brought the baby to nurse. In all, it was a draining, exhausting, amazing experience. We were really happy with our Egyptian hospital experience. Our doctor stayed with us the entire time, which was very comforting. The other doctor's were very good. Even the nurses spoke English and were well trained. They really did a good job of taking care of me. Joe and I put the extra money into the "Special Suite" and it was well worth it in terms of comfort. If I were to change anything it would be to know that in Egypt, you have to bring lots of stuff with you - your own robes, baby clothes, diapers, towels, things that you expect to receive at the hospital in America.
Joe's parents arrived safely in the middle of the night last night, and so we are all recovering in one way or another. It's going to be great having them here. Joe and I are really excited, and I would have to say Joe is in love with his little girl.
Enjoy the pictures. I'm sure there will be lots more to come. My favorite is all her hair. Thanks to Jennifer and family because the little booties you sent served well as mittens. (Which we also didn't realize the hospital did not provide.) Sophia Lucille Bearns made her entrance officially on June 21, 2006. 9 lbs and 1 oz. 20 1/2 inches.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Wednesday, June 21
Well, this may or may not be it. I hope it's it. I've been having contractions since about 5:30 am. I was already scheduled to have a doctor's appointment today at 2:00. If I can make it that long, the doctor will check me then. I sure wouldn't mind if this is the day! We'll be sure to keep you posted. I just keep envisioning one of those false alarms like on the movies. I'll be so disappointed if I'm in pain and it's not true labor. If it is true labor, it would definitely explain why at midnight last night I got the urge to literally scrub the walls. I'd say that's nesting instinct at its worst. (And yes, I really did clean fingerprints off the wall.)
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15
Oh, Egypt. Here are some anecdotes you might enjoy. First, a few weeks ago Joe and I were talking about Kazakhstan since we'll be moving there in August. We've been in contact with some teachers there, and we had asked if it was very dirty. They said yes, but probably not like Egypt. As we were walking and talking about this, Joe stopped and said, "Look. How can it be dirtier than here? There's a toilet in the street." Sure enough, someone had discarded, literally, a toilet in the street.
Second, Joe bought a soccer jersey for a local Egyptian soccer team. When we were looking at the washing directions tonight, we realized it said, "Wash this when dirty." True Egypt. We think it may be a joke, but still.
It's the small things that make us laugh. They pop up every day.
We went last night on our last felucca ride with our fellow teachers. It was a beautiful night with just enough wind. We will definitely miss sailing along the Nile.
In the felucca picture notice Joe's growing sideburns . He's been working on those for a couple of weeks. He did have a full beard going for a while there, but it was a little too hard for him to maintain. Who knows what he'll have when we head home.
And yes, I know we're dog-obsessed to put pictures of Leia on the blog, but it was just so cute to come home and find her cuddled up to the toy she usually tries to tear apart and throw around like a ragdoll.
One last note - the countdown - last day of school with the kids was today, two weeks left of school, one week until my due date. Any time now, any time....
Second, Joe bought a soccer jersey for a local Egyptian soccer team. When we were looking at the washing directions tonight, we realized it said, "Wash this when dirty." True Egypt. We think it may be a joke, but still.
It's the small things that make us laugh. They pop up every day.
We went last night on our last felucca ride with our fellow teachers. It was a beautiful night with just enough wind. We will definitely miss sailing along the Nile.
In the felucca picture notice Joe's growing sideburns . He's been working on those for a couple of weeks. He did have a full beard going for a while there, but it was a little too hard for him to maintain. Who knows what he'll have when we head home.
And yes, I know we're dog-obsessed to put pictures of Leia on the blog, but it was just so cute to come home and find her cuddled up to the toy she usually tries to tear apart and throw around like a ragdoll.
One last note - the countdown - last day of school with the kids was today, two weeks left of school, one week until my due date. Any time now, any time....
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Tuesday, June 13
For those of you that have never been to Cairo, you must know that there is a plethora of stray cats. Now, this doesn't just mean a lot, it means a ton. There are at least five cats occupying every building, more in the dumpster, in the parks, outside shops, everywhere.
This makes walking the dog an entertaining challenge. Leia has a new found thirst for preying upon cats. She thinks she is tough picking on the street cats, however; she met her match last night.
As Emily went into the grocery store, I waited outside with Leia. She saw a cat through a fence and had it trapped. She then proceeded to approach the cat, but was unaware of the litter of kittens and the father cat lying in wait. As soon as Leia touched the fence, she was immediately attacked by the mom and dad cats. While one was on her back, the other was frantically clawing her face. Leia could do nothing to prevent this onslaught. She yelped and cried for help, but I was laughing too hard to do anything. Fortunetly, the cats released her, but then caused her great embarrassment by coaxing their children to investigate their vanquished opponent. By this time, Leia was too scared to even move. The streets of Cairo are dangerous indeed.
This makes walking the dog an entertaining challenge. Leia has a new found thirst for preying upon cats. She thinks she is tough picking on the street cats, however; she met her match last night.
As Emily went into the grocery store, I waited outside with Leia. She saw a cat through a fence and had it trapped. She then proceeded to approach the cat, but was unaware of the litter of kittens and the father cat lying in wait. As soon as Leia touched the fence, she was immediately attacked by the mom and dad cats. While one was on her back, the other was frantically clawing her face. Leia could do nothing to prevent this onslaught. She yelped and cried for help, but I was laughing too hard to do anything. Fortunetly, the cats released her, but then caused her great embarrassment by coaxing their children to investigate their vanquished opponent. By this time, Leia was too scared to even move. The streets of Cairo are dangerous indeed.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Friday, June 9
A cute story from school - one of my students came up to me in the hall. She asked me about the baby and when I was due. She also informed me that the students all want to visit me in the hospital. Then she said, "We want to have a baby wash for you." I asked her to repeat herself. "A baby wash. A few days before the baby is born." I just said okay and let it go. It wasn't until later that evening when I took a shower that it struck me. She meant a baby shower! They are always mixing up words and sometimes it can be pretty funny.
Official count down to due date - 1 week and 6 days. She's coming!
Official count down to due date - 1 week and 6 days. She's coming!
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Thursday, June 1
Last day of teaching today. Yeah right. I don't think any teaching went on at our school today. The seniors decided they wouldn't attend any classes, so they spent the day in our courtyard. The rest of the school was pretty chaotic as well. Joe and I didn't mind. It meant we had time to clean our rooms and then we just got to hang out. You can't ask for an easier last day.
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