How Harper was born...

March 20 we had scheduled a "Version" which is a procedure to attempt to turn a breech baby. Harper was a complete breech - meaning her butt was down and her head was up by my ribs. Obviously, you want a baby head down for birth! I had tried every homeopathic method possible to get Harper to turn on her own. (See previous post regarding acupuncture and flashlights, etc.) This little munchkin would not turn.

We had packed for the hospital weeks prior and I am glad we did. We got up and left the house at 6:45 a.m. Friday morning on the 20th. We took our bags just in case. Dr. Larson had said there was a very low risk this procedure would lead to a birth. It was eery as we left the house that morning. Brad and I both had a sinking feeling that something big was going to happen that day. I think we both knew we would not be coming home empty handed. Secretly, I hoped we weren't coming home empty handed.

At the appointment our amazing Dr. Larson attempted to turn Harper three times. This process involves an IV and being admitted to the hospital. So there I was in a hospital bed and gown, hooked up to fetal monitors and Dr. Larson was literally pushing and moving on my uterus, trying to get Harper to turn. It was quite uncomfortable so I kept talking to distract myself. I gave Dr. Larson a play by play of the Celine Dion concert we had attended back in February. I had played through the first two episodes of Dancing with the Stars when Dr. Larson interrupted to say: "Well, this isn't working, you are having contractions 6 minutes apart, you are dilated to 2 and totally effaced and frankly, I can feel toes. We need to go ahead and get her out otherwise you will go into labor and you are going to have a foot poking out instead of her head."

Okay.

"So, how about noon?" she asks.

Brad and I were in shock. We couldn't believe that in few short hours we were going to hold our sweet girl. I was finally going to see her face. I still tear up thinking about the moment that our eyes met and Brad and I realized our dream was finally coming true. We were going to meet Harper.

So we were given a three hour window, then Dr. Larson was getting our little Harper out via C-section.

I was not excited about a C-section. I was very nervous and sad I wouldn't have the badge of a natural (with drugs) child birth, but this surgery far exceeded my expectations. I had an epidural block and was paralyzed from the waist down, but I was awake and could "feel" them working on me like you can when you are having dental work done with Novocaine - "you will feel some pressure..."

I could feel them take Harper out of me. It was incredible. I wish I were eloquent enough to describe it for you, but it is beyond words how amazing it was. When they took her out and I heard her cry for the first time, it was the greatest moment of my life. I have never felt such joy, relief, excitement and love all in a single moment. I'll never forget it.

Brad took pictures of the entire C-section. He has frame by frame images of the entire thing! You can flip the pictures and you would think you were watching a video. You can see first a little foot, then a leg, etc. The photos are graphic (I mean there I am cut open on a table), but if you can stomach a little blood and guts (I wonder if Dr. Larson had to put the belly flab back in or if she did me a favor and scrapped a little out while she was in there.), the photos are absolutely beautiful. I don't know how Brad was able to stand and take them without passing out. He was amazing. He got to help cut the cord and he was there for every second of her birth. He let me be the first one to hold Harper.

Now for fun, here are some of our favorite pics from the first few days.

Here is Harper on her changing table at home. She loves the mirror that is eye level. She will stare into it and even though her eyes are still maturing, I swear she can see herself!

Look at that cute little mouth!

Daddy bringing Harper home from the hospital.

This pic is of the very first moment I laid eyes on Harper. The happiest moment of my life.

Here is the pic of me holding her just a few hours after the surgery.

The first week home was a little tough - Harper had jaundice and we had to do some in-home light therapy, then the poor thing was too tired to eat, we had to wake her to feed her every two hours and we were all exhausted! We are on a more regular schedule now, she is gaining weight and we kicked that jaundice in the booty overnight. She is thriving and she really is fun. She is so alert and strong! She can already pick her head up and move it around - still a bit wobbly but advanced for a baby if you ask me. She will stick her legs up straight in the air when we are changing her - makes it difficult to get her in a diaper, but it is so cute. She has her Daddy's eyes and toes (sorry about the toes little one), and Mommy's nose and ears. We just love her and can't wait for everyone to meet her!

These photos are all from the first couple days of Harper's life. She is two weeks now. She is now 6 lbs 15 oz and has grown an inch! I have lots more photos and now that I am in the swing of things I will post more often. We are tired, but we are having so much fun. Thanks everyone for not harassing me when I fail to return phone calls and emails. We are still adjusting. :)