Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Goodbye to Aunt Mel & One Unsolicited Opinion

Steve is back at work and Aunt Melissa left this morning to head back to the snow, so Sara and I are officially on our own during the day now. It was so great to have my sister here; we watched movies, drank wine, had lots of laughs, and -- unfortunately -- introduced Sara to one of life's great disappointments: shoe shopping without success. Sad for us, happy for our wallets.


I had my post-op appointment with my doctor on Tuesday, and she said I'm healing wonderfully. I will see her again in four weeks, and after that I'm not sure when our next visit will be. I've spent so much time with my doctor recently, and I really think I'm going to miss her when I have to start making annual visits again rather than weekly ones ... we've bonded! I know that some of you can relate, right? Anyway, Melissa was glad when my doctor cleared me to drive because she was growing tired of my "Miss Daisy" disposition (and who can blame her?). If I learned one thing about myself during her visit, it's that I'm a horrible backseat driver. Shame on me.

While I have a minute, I want to briefly switch gears. One of my biggest pet peeves when I was pregnant was dealing with other pregnant people who give all pregnant women a bad name. You know who I'm referring to -- the ones who purposely waddle three months in just for attention, the ones who throw out the words, "But I'm pregnant," at any opportunity simply to garner sympathy, or the ones who baby talk to their bellies in front of a crowd of people (if this describes you, I'm sorry (a little), but someone has to tell you that it is ridiculous and unnecessary). This article is in the Metro section of the Dallas Morning News today. I believe that people who think this way fall into the aforementioned category of pregnant people who give all pregnant women a bad name. Practical? Perhaps. Annoyingly ridiculous that this is how you made it into the newspaper? Incredibly. Should you maybe have reconsidered getting pregnant before doing the deed? Without a doubt.

Wow, I haven't voiced a semi-intellectual opinion in a long time. That felt good. Thanks for humoring me.

Happy New Year!

Monday, December 29, 2008

Uptown Girl

Thanks, Nicole!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Photo Update

Sara's First Christmas
Aunt Melissa is here!
"Aunt" Lexy sent Sara her first tutu!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Fa-la-la-la-la!

It's time for a recap: Todd left last Wednesday and my mom left on Sunday, so we're officially on Day #2 of parenting on our own. So far, I'd say we've been fairly successful. I was very sad to see my parents go -- sad for myself, of course, but more sad for Sara. I can't really explain the feeling and I'm not going to try; I'll just say that we're already planning the next visit, and I'm definitely looking forward to it. My sister comes to town on Thursday evening, and I know she is anxious to get her hands on her first niece. We can't wait to see you, Mel!

Grandpa, Sara Noel, and Grandma

Sara had her 2-week doctor's visit today, and she is now 7 lbs. 13 ozs. and 19 1/2 inches. We'd been anticipating growth based simply on her recent eating habits; the doctor told us that right now we basically can provide her an all-hours buffet, and allow her to eat as much as she wants whenever she wants. Since we want to avoid giving her any body image issues by cautioning against overeating, we'll follow the doctor's orders and let her nosh at will.

Sara at her first doctor's appointment

In keeping with the spirit of the season (seriously, can you believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve?!?), the following are pictures of Sara's Holiday Fashions. Thanks, Grandma Pam, Great Aunt Jane, and Great Aunt Mary for the adorable holiday attire.

Although he considered not making the trip this year since Sara won't really know the difference, Santa did tell me that he fully intends to stop at the Brittain home this Christmas. I hear that Higgins even managed to finagle his way onto the "Nice" list. My gift, of course, is currently sleeping in my lap; holiday season or not, I'm fully aware that she is, without a doubt, the greatest joy of my life. May you all have a blessed holiday ... Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Pretty in Purple

Thanks, Great Aunt Margaret, for making this cozy winter sweater!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

One Week Old!


Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Everybody Loves a Baby

Grandpa Todd
Grandma Laura
Uncle Mark
Grandpa Steve
Grandma Pam Well, Higgins does love the baby, but he loves the baby's cool toys a lot more. Who says the baby gets to hog the Boppy?

Sunday, December 14, 2008

You Told Me So

You all told me that this would be the most wonderful experience of my entire life. It's not that I didn't believe you, it's just that I really didn't have any perspective on the issue, so I couldn't wrap my mind around what you were saying. And although I can't put it into words, I now understand the point you were trying to make. This has been an unparalleled journey, and it's only just begun. We are overwhelmed with the love we feel for little Sara, and we will never again be the people we were just a few days ago.

We plan to head home today; we're just waiting on an "okay" from the docs. My parents came into town yesterday and will stay at our house to help throughout the week (though the help is understandably secondary to spending time with their first grandchild). I'm still moving pretty slowly, so it will be nice to have extra hands on deck. Thanks to all of you who've stopped by to visit, who've called or sent e-mails, or who've simply sent your thoughts our way. We love you and appreciate you!



Friday, December 12, 2008

A Busy Day ...



Thursday, December 11, 2008

Our Angel

Sara Noel Brittain
born December 11, 2008 @ 8:07 a.m.
7 lbs. 7 oz.
19 1/4 inches
We are completely in awe of our beautiful daughter. It's been an incredible day. Major props to my husband who has very dutifully taken care of both of us all day, and who has embraced fatherhood in the most natural way. Below are some pictures from the operating room; plenty more will follow as the weekend progresses. Thank you for sending prayers our way today; we have been so blessed.





We're having a baby.

Today. In about three hours to be exact. OMG. I'm completely at a loss for words, so I'll borrow a prolific line from R.E.M. (remember when they were cool?!): "It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine."

You'll hear from us on the other side!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The Brittain is Coming, the Brittain is Coming

And she's coming by c ... c-section, that is. She'll be here on Thursday, December 11th shortly after 7:30 am.

I went to the doctor on Monday afternoon and, at that time, was told that I still hadn't dilated and the baby's head hadn't moved down into the pelvic region. My doctor was concerned because there hadn't been any progress, and she expressed that often times when a full-term baby hasn't made any descent, it means that he or she is too large to fit through the pelvic/hip/tail bone regions. We went back this morning for an ultrasound to confirm that size - the combination of hers and mine - is indeed the issue. Sure enough, the baby currently weighs approximately 7 lbs 10 oz (yikes), and her head is larger than will fit through any canal I have to offer. My doctor told us that we can certainly take a stab at "trial labor" through inducement (since my body isn't contracting, dilating, etc. on its own), but she's pretty positive we'd end up in the O.R. in the end. On one hand, I think, Wasn't a woman's body designed to be able to do this? But then, on the other hand I think, Wasn't modern medicine designed for the bodies that can't do this? (And the people said, "Amen").

So, we've opted to skip the trial labor and go straight for the c-section. I'm not interested in laboring for hours only to end up in surgery, and the possible increased risk to the baby's health isn't worth it, either. Like my doctor told us today, "Remember, no trophies are given out for vaginal deliveries!"

We're so excited to have a birth date for Sara Noel. She was so cute on the ultrasound today, and we can't wait to meet her!