Léna Eleanor Andrée Ouillade was born Tuesday April 28th at 2:54 p.m. here in Nice.We arrived at the hospital at 2:18, I was down in the delivery room at 2:20, and 34 minutes later she was out. Holy cow, fastest birth this side of the Mississippi. Needless to say, no time for an epidural. OUCH. Good gravy, did it hurt. But man oh man it was fast and over with before you can say (in French) "where the hell is my epidural"? I was too busy saying "Where the hell is my husband?" Who was upstairs parking the car and handing over the paperwork and almost missed the whole thing. My obstetrician also arrive 2 minutes too late, and only got to deliver the placenta. Which, p.s. I insisted on have a look-see at. Here's me ordering somebody around a shortly after my Express Birth.
I have spent 5 days and nights in the hospital and just was released home today. I am thrilled to be home and so thankful for my long stay in the Clinique which allowed me to get my breastfeeding on the right track, which was not easy. Had a 36 hour window where things were pretty tricky with engorgement, cracking, you name it. But Léna (pronounced "Layna") gained back a lot of weight yesterday so we are on the road to success!
Here's Thomas giving the initial bath:
In this next photo he may look calm, but he just about passed out when it all happenned so fast. Plus I was literally screaming my head off which kinda freaked him out, understandably!
The bath:
Smile and say "No Epidural!"
This contraption below was my best friend for about 36 hours in the hospital - a suction breast pump that operated like a central vacuum. This thingy saved the day!
Here's Thomas visiting in the evening one time:
This morning (Sunday) getting ready to leave the Clinique, finally! My room was 163, a number I'll remember forever!
Bringing Baby Home, with a very proud and curious big sister.
Here I am after a great nap in my own bed, having my 4:00 cuppa tea (Amen!) just the way I like it with some lemon meringue tart and beautiful flowers sent by Thomas' parents.
Estelle is VERY interested in anything about Léna.....
To be continued!!!!!! Let the fun begin.........
