Friday Things
I don’t have a true Friday Things for you today since the week has been dominated by getting settled in and adjusting to our new normal with three littles, but I still wanted to drop in and say hello and share more details about Isabelle’s birth and our time at home this week! She is 1-week old today!
This was my third c-section and while I had high anxiety beforehand, it ended up being the easiest and least stressful birth experience of the three. With Joseph I was induced a week after my due date and then failed to progress in labor and I was most certainly NOT prepared for that outcome and had a panic attack. With Dominic, my water broke a few days before my due date and I attempted to VBAC, to no avail. After 30 hours of labor, contractions stopped and in I went for another c-section. I was so deliriously exhausted that I could barely keep my eyes open. I didn’t have a full-blown panic attack, but both times I shook for at least an hour afterwards.
This time I knew from the beginning I would be having a c-section because of two previous ones caused by a narrow birth canal. I was anxious because it’s major surgery, but the day of the birth could not have gone more smoothly. We got to the hospital around 7am, got registered and then they started prepping me for surgery. My doctor came in, then the anesthesiologist, and by 8:50 they were wheeling me back to the operating room. I was fully awake and alert (and oddly relaxed) the whole time. I got to see Isabelle at 9:26am when they held her up to the little window in the sheet immediately after she was born, and then my husband snuggled her while they finished with me. By 10:30 I was back in recovery and feeling really well, not shaking at all.
We had deja vu of Joseph’s birth because as soon as the nurses saw her, they were hooting and hollering about her chin dimple just as they had when he was born. She was born with a full head of hair, but unlike her brothers, who had dark brown hair, she is sporting very light brown hair. I’ll be anxious to see what it eventually looks like! And LIKE both of her brothers at birth, she has blue eyes. Joseph’s eyes have since gone to dark brown and Dominic’s are now hazel.
We had two uneventful days in the hospital where we both checked out really well, and the OB offered me an early release a day early so I jumped at the opportunity. Usually with a c-section you have to stay three nights, versus the typical two nights for a traditional delivery. I’m quite certain there is nothing more uncomfortable than a hospital bed, OOF… Plus, I couldn’t wait to get home, get settled, and be with the boys.
Speaking of Joseph and Dominic, they are absolutely enthralled with her. Joseph obviously understands much more than Dominic and he just wanted to hug her, kiss her, and help with everything. When he sees her with her eyes open, he gets SO excited… “Oh! Mommy! Baby sister woke up! Look at her eyes! Ooooooh she’s so sweet…” and he kisses her hands, her head, hugs her whole body, rests his head next to hers, and wants to help whenever she gets a bottle, and wipes up any spit up. He is just so gentle and loving and amazing.
Dominic comes over and gives her big open-mouthed kisses on the head and puts his head on the pillow next to hers, which is his “hug”. He has also been my right-hand man with diaper changes… he follows me over to the changing table and pulls out a diaper and the wipes, handing them to me as I need them. Which honestly kind of blew me away! Then he puts everything back. Such a big little guy!
Duke and Judith were super curious and excited when we got home, but they’ve since calmed down and lay down at my feet when I’m feeding her. Two extra protectors :)
And as for little Isabelle, she’s been a perfect addition to our family. She, of course, is mostly just eating and sleeping, but it’s been fun to see her little eyes open up and be more alert each and every day. Our first couple of nights at home were quite sleep-deprived, but for the last three nights she has done consistent 2-hour stretches, and then a longer one toward morning. I’ve woken her up at the 3-hour mark for feedings in the morning, or she would have kept snoozing! As a result, I don’t feel TOO terribly exhausted, but I have been cat napping on the couch in the evening, as well.
As for the recovery, I’ve been feeling really well this week; I’m getting around easier each and every day. The hardest part for me with recovering from a c-section is all of the limitations. Obviously I understand WHY (major abdominal surgery!), but all of our bedrooms are upstairs, so I can only come down in the morning and back up at night. I can’t move or lift things like laundry, won’t be able to run errands with the boys because I can’t get them in and out of the car, etc. It’s so short-lived, but frustrating in the moment; however we are blessed with tons of help from family!
We are absolutely loving our time at home and getting to know this little lady! :)
Congratulations, she is beautiful ! And what a lovely name (well, I would say that!). As a midwife, mother of 4 and baker, I wish you all the best (and it’s true what they say: they grow quickly, enjoy every second). x
Congratulations! She is gorgeous! All happiness and blessings for all seven of you!
Michelle,
Congratulations to you and your husband on another beautiful baby!
I remember so well when you delivered and posted about Joseph. I thought he was the handsomest little baby I had ever seen! And then sweet Dominic….and now, Isabelle. She has my late mother’s name —ironically, a name Mom never liked, but has been popular for at least a decade, and at the end of her life, the name’s popularity made her very happy! It’s a lovely name. ❤️
My very best to you and your family, Michelle. You have an exemplary blog. Even though I rarely comment, I read it, and sometimes try your recipes……always with success. 👍
Andrea
CONGRATULATIONS !! She is absolutely PRECIOUS!! LUV
Congratulations on a beautiful baby and all of your big and little helpers!
Wow, she is gorgeous! Your boys have wonderful maternal instincts. Bless your family with happiness and good health.
Congratulations on your new little girl!! She is adorable, love all that hair!!
I had a 21 hour labor with my daughter, after my water broke at work, two weeks early. 30 is even worse, yikes!! Glad everything went much better for you this time! 😊
Congratulations on your new addition to your lovely family.
Such a cutie! I’m so glad everything went well. Dominic and Joseph are such cute and sweet boys.
Congratulations on your new little baby girl. She is so beautiful and very lucky to be a member of your sweet family.
Congratulations! She’s beautiful!
She’s gorgeous, Michelle! Glad you are all doing well.
Hi Dear,
I am Amy Cheong from Malaysia. When I received news that you have delivered a beautiful daughter, told myself that I wanted to congratulate to you and your family on this new bundle of joy. I am your fan of your baking/cooking blog since before your 1st child. Take care and rest well.
Thank you so much for the update and letting us into your private life with your precious family! Isabelle is beautiful, just as your other babies were – I was thinking as I read your blog today that I have been following you since before you were even married!
I am so glad that Isabelle’s birth was much easier on you – I know that makes such a huge difference in your recovery. Have a great weekend!
Wow, what a precious gem Isabelle is! Thanks for sharing your joy, all the details and pics with us! So cute that that the boys want to help. :-)
She’s so perfect Michelle! So sweet! I have to say your pics remind me when my family was young. Absolutely the sweetest times in my life. I have 5 kids, my youngest is now 13 oldest is 24. I ll always remember how obsessed my kids were with the new sibling. The purest love, the sweetest thing!
So so happy for you and your beautiful boys!
You’re right about hospital beds! Horrible torturous devices for your butt and back that get stuck in the crack of the bed!
Maybe Joseph will be a doctor later on, both are sooo kind with Isabella💕
Dios bendiga a tu preciosa familia!!!! Que te recuperes pronto.
What a beautiful family. Thanks for sharing. I had a 38 hour labor and escaped a C-section by 45 minutes, but it took a toll on me, so can appreciate your anxiety. Just take it one precious day at a time and be good to yourself as well. And…you look fabulous, even in the hospital. God bless.
God blessings upon you all.🙏
I love the pic. of lil’ Isabelle’s feet! I love little ones feet! When my 3 were little, we would make “toe sandwiches”. Thry would name ingredients to be stacked on on foot, then we’d.put them together & I’d lightly bite into the yummy “toe sandwich”. They’d giggle soooo much! YES, the “toe sandwiches” end when they start to run all about! (Except, if freshly bathed!) We Moms do things like that!😂💜
Awww, mom . . . Congratulations!!! She is a cutie!!! Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!!! :)
Congratulations! She is beautiful!! Bless you and your wonderful family!
Isabelle is such a darling!! And your boys are so sweet…such a perfect little family. I know you must feel so blessed.
Thank you for sharing your special moments with us…feel like we are friends, even though we are only connected through a food blog, So happy to hear your delivery went smoothly….I can relate to panic attacks.
Just as it was with your sons, it’s going to be fun following your daughter ‘s growth/development.
Don’t over do…just.enjoy your precious family!!
Congratulations Michelle! So happy for you. Wishing you and your family well.
HOW WONDERFUL , bless your beautiful family time flies enjoy those little ones !
So happy for you and your new baby girl. A gift from God that lSt forever
Congratulations!! Thanks for taking the time to do a post. Those sweet pictures made my morning! What a beautiful family!!
Congratulations, beautiful family, take care
What a beautiful baby–made me tear up seeing all of this beauty–they boys loving her, Isabelle’s beautiful face, and that hair is amazing. Kind of neat to see pink and girl colors—and to see you just love on this girl as you do with your boys, your furry kids and family. You amaze me.
What a sweetie! Congratulations! 🌸
Has a little girl ever been loved more? And it’s amazing how much she looks like her big brothers! Again, congratulations and best wishes to you all!
Mama V
Congratulations! Your family is so lovely including your dogs!! I am so happy for you all.
Congratulations! She is beautiful and I am glad that all worked out well for you, the boys, and the dogs..oh..and your husband as well of course, but we never get to see him – except his hands or legs. Take care of yourself! Rest! You have left me with enough recipes to last a lifetime, so there is no rush there..but keep the family pics coming!
Michelle!
Oh my goodness Isabelle is precious….
One of your pictures I thought she resembled Joseph, another Dominic. ;-) !!
God bless!
Thank you for sharing! It has been so fun watching your family keep growing!
She is so precious and how sweet that the boys want to help so much! Congratulations!
So glad everyone doing well and hospital beds are the worst!
I KNOW this is hard for you but I have to say, you make it all look so easy. You look gorgeous even in a hospital bed- so full of love and excitement. I love watching your sweet family grow so much. I can’t wait to show Isabelle’s pictures to my mom on Sunday!! You’re basically an extended member of our family because so many recipes I make come from your blog. Enjoy your time at home and have so much fun watching her grow! We all love you!
She is precious! Congratulations!
I enjoy reading your posts and keeping up with your sweet family. Best wishes from Western North Carolina!!
She is precious…and she really looks like Joseph, IMO. Love the photos and the update!
That second to last photo looks just like Joseph to me!! !! Again congratulations Michelle, you have as much rest as one can possibly get with three little ones : ) xox
Such a beautiful beautiful baby girl!!! What a sweet family you have. This brings tears to my eyes.. it’s just so wonderful :)
I am going to be a Grandma again for the 4th time this October and we think it’s going to be a little girl too. So excited for you all.
The pictures are so precious as well as the stories of the boys helping out! Glad you are feeling stronger! Have a great weekend snuggling with your family!!!
I’m so happy for you and your beautiful family. It’s funny how as readers we feel like you are our friend even though we’ve never met! I wish all good things for you all. Looking at how little the kids are reminds me of my early mommy days nearly 30 years ago. My eldest is getting married this year and I can clearly remember singing You Are My Sunshine to her. Enjoy every minute you have with them! Love, health and happiness is my wish for you.
She’s a beauty! And a keeper! Take all the help you can get and all the cat-naps you can take!
Isabelle is just sooo sweet!
What a happy way to start my day, reading about your beautiful family and new addition. Sitting here smiling. Congrats to all of you!!!! She’s gorgeous. Such little angel.
So glad everything went well with the delivery and you are feeling good. Such a lovely family – thank you for sharing them with us. Make sure you get in your nap today so you can stay awake for the Pens game tonight (a repeat of Wednesday night’s game would be great!).
Have a good weekend Michelle.
She’s beautiful!! SO happy for you and your family!!!
Congratulations! I think that you now officially have a full house!