Welcome Addison Belle

Addison Belle Greenshields was born on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 4:56 p.m (2 weeks before her April 17^th due date).  She weighed a healthy 7 lbs, 14 oz and was 21 in. long.  Surprisingly, she also has a pretty good amount of dark hair and the color of her eyes are yet to be determined, as does who she most resembles.  I am so relieved that she is finally here.  The rib pain and pain in my back that I had during my pregnancy is gone and we couldn’t ask for a better baby.   The only thing that could have made the experience better would have been the hospital experience at the University of Michigan.  We originally went to the hospital three days prior to her birth because I was having contractions and the doctor told me that I was 2 cm dilated, but unfortunately, they wouldn’t keep me.  I continued to have contractions for the next three days and finally, on Wednesday, my water broke.  I called the hospital ahead of time and was told to “bring my pants” to “save me an exam”.  When we got there, my clothes that I had been wearing were swabbed, instead of me.  I was then asked if I was sure that I hadn’t “wet myself”.  The nurses continued to question that I didn’t seem to be in “enough pain”.  Once I was finally admitted, the labor itself went fairly quickly.  Aside from our beautiful daughter, the best part of the whole experience was definitely the epidural.  The anesthesiologist and his nurse were so kind and they definitely had the technique of administering an epidural mastered.  I was still texting and facebooking while dilated to a 9.  My contractions went from awful to unnoticeable.  Once it was time to push, things got a little more painful, but after only 15 minutes, our beautiful daughter was a part of this world.  Following her birth, I was almost instantly moved from my private birthing suite (that our Blue Cross insurance paid for) to a shared room with a woman who was up all night trying to breastfeed, ringing the nurse and turning the lights on and off.  The following night, I was again transferred to a “nesting room”, where my accommodations were “jail like”.  The room was about 12 x 12 with no windows and a small vinyl couch to sleep on that was so low to the ground I’m not sure how a woman who just delivered a baby is supposed to get in and out of.  Thankfully, we’re home now and although the hospital wasn’t the best, at least my daughter is healthy and happy and her big brother and sister are adapting well and loving her more than I could have hoped.  :)

"We are the change that we seek"

Well, today is Zach’s last day at Edison.  It’s kind of a bittersweet day.  I’m reminding myself about my favorite quote from President Obama:  “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek”. Dan and I are leaving behind our house and so many things are changing in life, but these changes are all for the better. We are all making temporary sacrifices, but it’s all for a better future.  I hope Zach knows this too and can adjust well as he starts his new school on Monday. 

Last night, I received a very special email from his teacher.  She wanted to let me know that she has been ill with the flu and will not be in today, but that she and the class have planned a surprise party for Zach, complete with pizza and ice cream.  His classmates have also made him a book that I can’t wait to see.  She ended with:  “I have enjoyed having your son in our classroom.  He will do great at his new school with his upbeat personality and his hard working skills.  I am very proud of him.  Let me know where you would like me to send his report card to.  Good luck to your family and best wishes on the new baby.”  I thought that was very sweet of her and I know she’s right.  Zach has an extremely outgoing/upbeat personality.  We haven’t even moved yet and he’s already met a couple of kids in the new neighborhood.  I know that he will transition well, but it’s still hard not to worry. 

After work today, we’ll be packing up the rest of our stuff to be ready for the mover’s tomorrow morning.  Praying that we can get it all done and that all goes well – and hopefully this rain/snow that’s expected switches directions.  Until my next post, I remain pregnant ;-) and counting down the days until “baby” arrives – today is April 1^st, so only 16 more days until the due date.  Also, as a side note – today is April 1^st, which is April Fools’ Day, which is also my Mom’s Birthday, her 50^th to be exact, so a very Happy Birthday to her! :-)