Introducing Isabelle Rose Ditto!
Birthday: July 23, 2019
Time: 4:48pm
Weight: 7 pounds 8 ounces
Length: 20.5 inches
Hospital: American Fork
Andrew recently pointed out to me that both of our children have birthdays the day before a minor holiday. James was born the day before St. Patrick's Day and Isabelle was born the day before Pioneer Day (which is a big holiday for some in Utah). He mentioned that we'll have to plan accordingly for our next one... (Don't talk to me about having more children right now.)
I had a much more positive labor experience this time around. I think the fact that Isabelle didn't have to go to the NICU played a major part in that.
James was so early, so I think we kind of expected baby girl to follow suit. She didn't! I can't count the number of times that I convinced myself that I was going to go into labor. Our house had never been cleaner because I insisted that "oh, she might come tonight" like every night.
On Tuesday, July 23, I was induced at 39 weeks. I thought that Isabelle would be much bigger than she was (We actually had to go buy some more newborn clothes that actually fit her) and I was all for being done with pregnancy.
Taken right before we left for the hospital. I wanted to document my bump better this time.
It seemed like once I got there, it took some time to get labor started. The staff seemed a little backed up. A random nurse had to come in and get me hooked up to my IV. Let me say that she wasn't very good at poking me and she seemed concerned about how my arm looked. I am still bruised from where she inserted the needle and I will say it wasn't very comfortable. (This is really one of my only complaints about labor which must mean it was a success).
My actual nurse, Jessica, came in a while later and I finally got my first round of petocin at 11:45am. I wasn't sure exactly when I wanted my epidural, but decided why not get it as soon as possible. The anesthesiologist came in at 12:15pm. Last time, my epidural only numbed me up to my knees and the anesthesiologist had to come back in and give me a higher dosage. He was not pleased about this and brought up how tall I was several times. I'm so glad that this time the anesthesiologist took into account my height. I mean, it's pretty obvious that I have long legs...
Doctor Young stopped by at 12:50 to break my water. Of course he came during the 5 minutes that Andrew went downstairs to pick up lunch in the cafeteria. (What are the chances?) I didn't realize how quick or easy breaking my water would be though, so he didn't really miss much. Sidenote-- I was starving and should have had something more to eat before coming to the hospital. The nurses told me numerous times to "eat a small breakfast" and I followed their advice. My stomach was literally rumbling as I pushed Izzy out. The nurse and doctor mentioned it.
Isabelle arrived at 4:48pm. The doctor told me there was a chance she could come by 3:00, but that he guessed she would arrive by 5:00. I did 3 rounds of pushing and each round consisted of about 3 pushes, so I only had to push about 9x-- not long at all. I was actually worried that the doctor wouldn't make it in time. (The nurse seemed to think that might be a possibility as well because she kept the bed in the position that she likes to deliver babies and said she would move it when the doctor arrived.)
I loved my nurse (the fact that she shares my sister, Jessica's name gave her an advantage) and Andrew and I enjoyed talking to her for most of the afternoon. We both agree that labor felt longer in the daytime than it did in the middle of the night/early morning. I was chipper and in a great mood thanks to modern medicine. I'm happy to admit that I didn't get mad at Andrew this time!
It was amazing to be able to enjoy Isabelle right after she was born and not have her swept away. I remember the doctor saying as soon as he saw her head that she had quite a bit of hair. I was thrilled! To pass the time that afternoon, the nurse, Andrew, and I made predictions about baby girl. The winner got to spend $30. (Andrew wanted to buy a board game and I wanted some clothes.) Let me just say that I ordered new clothes this week!
My predictions:
Weight: 9 pounds
Length: 20 inches
Hair: dark and lots of it
Andrew's predictions:
Weight: 8.8 pounds
Length: 18 inches
Hair: not a lot (like James), but dark
There was definitely a moment that scared us in the hospital. While I was breastfeeding Isabelle, she stopped breathing. When I looked down, she was blue. The nurse was actually in the room talking to me while this happened and immediately rushed Isabelle out of the room. I was terrified and so afraid that they were going to take her to the NICU. Luckily, Isabelle was brought back to our room a couple minutes later and everything was fine. Apparently she had figured out how to breathe on her own before they had to hook her up to anything. What a huge blessing!
Going into the hospital, I was quite stressed out about what we were going to name her. I changed my mind countless times this pregnancy. Naming a child brings lots of pressure! I even brought a list to the hospital of the 5 names we were deciding on. After seeing her, we thought Isabelle was a good fit with all of her dark hair. I was a little concerned about the popularity of the name, but there are so many nicknames she can use if it becomes a problem. We call her Izzy, Belle, and Isabelle. Other noteworthy nicknames are "little miss" and "little sis."
Isabelle is named after my great great grandmother's mom who came from a long line of Isabelles. The line of Isabels continued from mother to daughter for 8 generations!! It all started with Isabel Blair in 1674. And it ended with my great great grandma, who only had boys. We're happy to continue the tradition.
Using the name "Rose" as a middle name for your first girl is a Ditto tradition after Andrew's Grandma Rose. So happy to be done stewing about names!
We left the hospital on July 24 at about 5:00pm. I wanted to get out of there ASAP. I have friends who rave about the hospital food (apparently I ordered the wrong thing?), but I wanted to leave immediately. I will say that I did discover a new kind of chip that I love with one of my meals at the hospital. It's hard to sleep well when nurses are checking your vitals constantly.
Someone was excited to go home!
Recovery has been much different this time around and for the better! I didn't walk around like I'd been hit by a bus for days after and the bleeding has been much less intense. My body seemed to know what it was doing. We've been going on walks regularly and I'm feeling great!
Having family close by is such a blessing! I knew that James was in great care staying with my mom while we were in the hospital. James still talks about having a sleepover at Nana's house.
Nana
Listening to baby sister
James definitely likes Isabelle. He tries to share his blankies with her and likes to lay next to her. He's really good at sharing toys with her, but gets disappointed that she can't play. That being said, his whole world was rocked and he has been acting up for attention. We went to the park recently and she rode in "his" stroller and it's hard to describe how mad he was. He's getting used to it though!
Isabelle seems to be a content baby and I adore her. She eats every 3 hours, has started to smile in her sleep, and is beautiful. While labor and recovery were smooth with no hiccups, breastfeeding has been quite a challenge this time around. There have been lots of tears, lanolin, clogged milk ducts, blood, and sore nipples. I probably would have given up by now, but things seem to be improving. (slowly) Having Andrew home has been dreamy. I'm spoiled and am nervous about him heading back to work on Tuesday. (Yay for 2 week paternity leave!)
Updated family pic
Isabelle's face sums up how I feel most of the time these days. Exhausted! She did give me an almost 6 hour stretch the other night, so here's to hoping that happens again and on the regular.
**Special thanks to my sister-n-law Lindsey for taking photos of us in the hospital!**
You are loved, Isabelle!