'Moving on Up'

The day has finally arrived...moving day! Well, actually it just passed, because we moved yesterday. The long awaited journey for mother and daughter had arrived and has passed. We are finally with Coach in Massachusetts. It took six months, but we finally took the voyage and completed our travels safely.

It all started yesterday morning. Grandma, myself and Ms. Nikki packed ourselves up in the car and hit the road at exactly 9:05 (5 minutes behind the latest time deadline, not bad for traveling with a newborn) and headed to Auburn, MA. Fortunately, we were able to break up the six hour drive with a stop to see great grandma in Brooklyn, NY. It was a fabulous visit that allowed Ms. Nik to see not only her cousins and aunts, but her mother's best friend and great grandmother. The trip was one filled with happiness and reminiscing.

We got back on the road just before 4, about 40 minutes past our time deadline. We hit a little bit of traffic and made a stop to go pee and eat. We ended up in Auburn about 8 and instead of going straight to the house, we opted to visiting The College of The Holy Cross and their first home basketball game. Coach didn't know we were coming and it made for a great surprise. Not a happy outcome but a well played game against a formidable opponent.

We finally made it back to the house around 10 and after a night feeding, headed off to bed. It was a long day, but a great one. One that ended in a family coming together after a long 6 months of separation.

'Special Delivery'

As you may have noticed, I have been away for a few weeks. Things have been a little different around here. On October 20th, 2010 at 8:17 p.m., I gave birth to our first child, Kathleen Nicole a.k.a 'Nikki'. She is a beautiful, healthy baby girl that came in weighing 8.4 lbs and measuring at 21.75 inches. Yes, she was a biggin but it's okay because I didn't give birth naturally. I wanted too, but she got stuck in the birth canal and I wouldn't dilate past 6 centimeters. After 12 hours of labor and 3 plus hours at being at 6 centimeters, the mid wife and staff informed me it would be best to move forward with a C-section. After hearing further reasoning, we decided it would be best to move forward with the surgery.

My OB/Gyn and the surgical staff were amazing. I couldn't imagine feeling more comfortable while being sliced open. They had great rapport with one another and the conversation taking place was very relaxing. At 8:17, about 10 minutes after the surgery began, I got to hear the rather robust lungs of Ms. Nikki. They brought into sight and she was gorgeous. Coach was able to see so much more then me (including my insides), as I had a sheet panel blocking my view. After making sure she was okay and putting me back together, they moved me into the recovery room and I awaited the arrival of my daughter. They brought her in and wheeled her next to me, as they lifted her up I said 'hello' and she smiled, it was beautiful.

Since that day, Ms. Nikki has had everyone wrapped around her finger, including me.