Calla lillies from Daddy, Roses from Ms. Lauren, Sweet ballerina socks from Ms. Kim…

Life has a funny way of keeping you on your toes. We all know that I love to plan, so to be told that my baby could be coming two weeks before my scheduled c-section was just not what I had in mind. After my routine non-stress test a week ago today, Dr. Roth wanted me to stick around for another hour so she could compare notes with a high risk doc at the hospital. It didn’t dawn on me that the ball had started rolling until she told me not to eat anything. Period. She thought it could be as early as Tuesday.

I took the train home that night in a total blur. The gist was that it appeared Ella wasn’t getting all she needed from me, and they were trying to determine whether she’d do better inside of me or outside of me. So Monday night, Auntie Em came over and we ordered sushi and had a “last supper” of sorts.

The next morning, about five seconds after Vann walked out the door to go to work, Dr. Roth called and said it was go time. We had to be there by noon.

NOON???? We had no childcare for Charlie (who was still sick, by the way, so I couldn’t obviously drop her off at a friend’s house), I had no bag packed, and our apartment looked like a garage sale had exploded in it. Nothing was done to prepare! Turns out procrastination bit me in the, well, you know.

The good news is that God showed up in a big way. We paid a co-pay through Pepsi to have a caregiver sent to the house to watch Charlie. We had just enough time in the AM (after all the phone calls, facebook-updating, etc.) to pack up and throw everything we’d need in the car, and when we found out that we’d gotten there a little early, walked down Michigan Avenue to hunt down the locket I had finally decided on. It was so fun to be doted on by my sweet hubby and the locket is BEAUTIFUL and just what I wanted.

Fast forward hours later and I’m strapped to the table, lower body numbed from the spinal tap they gave me, and trying really hard to just remain calm even though my whole body wanted to crawl outside of itself. The anesthesiologist said, “Ok, Amanda, you’re going to feel some pressure, like an elephant is sitting on your chest…” and I also heard Dr. Roth say, “Come here, you little squirt!” and all of a sudden, the pressure lifted and I heard the sweet, sweet sounds of my little girl’s cry. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I closed my eyes and took deep breaths…in and out.

Now, almost a week later, Baby Ella is here and I can’t imagine our lives without her. She’s like a mini-Charlie, even makes the same face when she cries. She has a bit more hair on top than Charlie did (C had a bit of a mullet) and has the sweetest little nose and lips you’ve ever seen. The name: we’d always known we wanted to use Monroe, a family name (and my Dad and older brother’s middle name), and Ella I just loved. I think it’s sweet and girly and she has settled quite nicely into it.

Breastfeeding is going well…I have had some pain and it’s super tedious at times, especially in the middle of the night. I keep telling myself it’s only like this at the beginning, if I can just get through these first few weeks…I’ll be golden. I look forward to the pain going away and truly getting to experience that bonding I’ve heard so much about. Already it’s going so much better the second time around. Charlie is in Tennessee living the high life with her Nana, JJ, and Aunt Janet, and we look forward to seeing her in another week.

Until then, I’m nestled into this sweet spot of hibernation. If you call or email and I don’t respond right away, it’s only because both Vann and I are existing in a state of delirium/bliss right now and breastfeeding takes up a lot of hours in the day. I know I will get more efficient with it as time goes on. I have a DVR loaded up with shows I’ve been needing to watch, a stack of mags to go through, and a little girl to dress up and take pictures of. We’ve had some visits at home so far and have already received some amazingly thoughtful gifts, of which I’ll share with you all soon.

Thank you for your prayers and support throughout this crazy turn of events. We are so thrilled and happy we were able to take Ella home with us last week…I know a lot of parents have to wait it out in the NICU, so we appreciate fully the fact that Ella is gaining weight and thriving, given her peanut size. God is good!!!!

Here are her very first pictures: her entrance to the world. Welcome, Baby Girl.

Poor Charlie. Unfortunately, these sweet pictures of she and Baby Georgia having breakfast on Saturday morning were her only bright spots all weekend. Around dinnertime that night, she felt really warm and flushed to me and after giving her a bath, I knew she had a fever. She’s been hovering right around 100 all weekend, so it hasn’t been too terribly bad, but she’s obviously not feeling herself and last night we bungled an attempt to give her Motrin in the middle of the night. I think it took her a good 45 minutes to stop crying, she was so disoriented.

All of that to say, when the medicine is in full affect she’s her active, crazy little self. We are hopeful she sleeps through the night tonight. We’ve had such trouble getting an accurate temperature read from the basic thermometer that I think we may have to invest in an ear thermometer like they use at the pediatrician’s office.

Luckily this week we don’t have anything too crazy going on. I suspect she’ll feel better by the middle of the week. We have her 2 year appointment already set for Wednesday, so if there are any lingering symptoms I’m sure her doctor will shed light on them then. I’d also rather she be sick now then in Tennessee when she’s far away from us (not that I don’t trust her Nana and JJ to know what to do)…Poor baby. It really is SO hard watching them try to fight off sickness. Her day consisted of watching Sprout and Nick Jr., eating tootsie pops, and taking a last minute trip in the backpack to the 7-11 with Daddy for a Diet Pepsi for Mommy…oh, and lots of cuddle time on the couch with both of us.

Tomorrow is another follow-up ultrasound for me and my 37 week appointment. Hard to believe, right?

So excited to share my amazing score this morning! Ms. Alisha and I have been drooling over Stella McCartney’s new collection for GapKids…uber luxe but uber expensive!! It was my lucky day, though, because Charlie received a Gap gift card for her bday from the lovely Casey and I’ve been waiting to use it for something truly noteworthy.

Voila! The tutu came up today and we snatched the size 2. What does that say about my daughter that she has an original Stella piece and I DO NOT. Hmmm…

Edited to add: Looks like I spoke too soon. I received an email from Gap about 30 minutes ago stating that they had oversold the skirt in our size. So, no skirt. 🙁 Boo hoo.

What a funny little girl I have. Earlier we were playing in her room and I brought the camera with me so I could snap a shot of her too-cute Oilily cords that she’s just now able to wear. I asked her to pose for me and say “Cheese” and the pics below are the result. She actually did it! That, and she gave me a big, cheesy grin to top it all off.

I realized that this is one of our last few days together at home, just the two of us. Aw, peanut…I don’t think you have any idea how your life is about to change. I hope you forgive us for bringing someone new into the house. I pray you love your sister and the two of you are fast friends.

Alert: Breastfeeding post ahead! Men, proceed at your own risk! Have I mentioned how AMAZING my friends are?? A couple nights ago I received this “boobie” care package from our dear friend Casey. When we were in Texas in October we stayed with she and her hubby Creighton, and we had the best conversation about breastfeeding and all the challenges that go with it. Imagine my delight when she sends me all of her favorite products…the ones that made her experience so much easier. Wow, really, I have to brag on her, each item was individually wrapped in tissue with a little post-it attached, complete with words of encouragement.Such an uplifting gift that came at the perfect time. Thanks, Casey, for being such a great friend and for loving me (and Baby B) in that way!!

It’s been a pretty quiet week so far:

-I had another NST on Monday and everything is looking good. We’ll have an ultrasound next Monday to check our girlie’s growth.

-Vann and I went to the huge new Whole Foods on North Avenue for the first time, and brought home some YUMMY goodies, including some crab bisque soup and a crusty baguette. Perfect for these cooler nights! If you live in the city, you MUST check it out. We picked up their holiday catering menu and it looks like we’ll be ordering our Thanksgiving meal there. I can’t wait.

-Charlie’s first taste of a Wendy’s Frosty!

-Procrastination has fully set in. Now that I have a week toddler-free, I think I’m putting off all of my to-do’s. Is it ok to just sit and enjoy the quiet for now?

-Our first purchase of “Christmas” edible goodies, Edy’s Peppermint ice cream. Need I say more??

Here are some pics of Charlie in various Baby Gap from Fall of ’08…

Time to break out the fleece footed pj’s, peeps – it’s November in Chicago! With full tummies, we three Bischoff’s closed out our busy weekend with a quiet evening at home. Home stretch, here we come!!