Reflection and One-Year Stats

Looking back, I realize how much better April 21 of 2008 was compared to April 21 of 2007...but my life would look so different if I had not gone through the pain of 4-21-07 :)

If you have been following our blog, you may remember that after an ultrasound, we found out on Friday, April 20, 2007 that Damaris had quit growing, and they were concerned for her well-being. The doctor checked me into the hospital that night and began the process in order to induce labor in the morning, even though I was two weeks early. At first the contractions were all normal, for which I was incredibly grateful for, since with Titus it was all in my back!!

But a few hours after they broke my water, a lot of things started going wrong. Damaris must have flipped, because it changed to back labor. They also were concerned because Damaris' heart rate was dropping with every contraction, and they were afraid the cord was around her neck. They kept checking me and monitoring the strength of my contractions, but even though the contractions were strong enough, I wasn't dilating past 5 cm. They finally said that if in the next hour I didn't progress, they would have to rush me up for an emergency c-section. Now, the night before I was terrified of having a c-section, but at that point, 11 hours of labor later (many of those being back labor), I didn't care WHAT they did to me to get her out of me!!! :)

I had a rough few days of recovery and getting over the anesthetic, but it was all worth it for our sweet little baby girl...who came into our lives at 5:59 PM on Saturday, April 21, 2007...Damaris Rebekah Mowat, all 5 pounds 12 ounces of her!! :) :)

We took Damaris to the doctor yesterday for her checkup and shots, and she is in the 10th percentile on weight and height and 50th for head circumference. I know I said this about Titus at this age: I don't feel like her head is disproportionately large to the rest of her body, so just a tiny fraction of an inch must really throw those percentages off a lot!! :) She weighs in at 18 pounds 4 ounces and is only 27.5 inches tall...it looks like we will have two wee ones in our family (Titus was 19 pounds 3.5 ounces and 28 inches tall)!! Dr. Wolfe said she does not have ear infections...which is good, but also frustrating because I do not know why else she would be crying so hard at night and waking up 2-3 times...He did say that she is teething pretty bad right now...and a few are about ready to come through any day. I would love some sleep, so "any day" really would be nice...

Also, and probably the most exciting news for me, is the fact that in addition to her being able to eat basically anything, I can start weaning her and giving her whole milk...I have felt like a giddy little child the last few weeks thinking about the fact that yesterday would most likely be the last day I have to worry about pumping at work...so guess what I brought to work today...only my lunch and my purse!!!!!!!!!! I think she will be harder to wean than Titus, but here is *celebration* for the first day of slowly getting my body back after 3.5 years of being pregnant or nursing :) :) I am glad I was able to feed both children without ever having to buy even one can of formula, I am thankful that it was easy for me (and both kids) since so many have to stop for various reasons, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat...but I am tired of every day revolving around when I need to pump or figuring out a schedule for when she needs to eat.

(And, since it seems like everyone asks us now that she is one year old...no, she is not taking steps...no, she is not even standing alone...and no, she is not really even cruising. All she does is pull herself up to things, stand holding on to something, or walk with us when we hold her hands. But as I have said before, we can't make her do it...she will do it when she is ready! :) :) )

Just for fun...here are pictures of both kids at one year old :)