We ended up staying up until about 2 a.m. that first night. Coming down from the earlier birth. There really is nothing at all like that feeling. The sheer emotional response between Stuart and me and the baby. The absolute wonder of actually bringing another life into the world. The connection, the love, the certainty of life going on. It is worth everything you go through.

I was awakened at 7 the next morning by my Doctor coming in to check on me. He asked me how the night was, how the bleeding was and what type of birth control I would be using.

The night went by fine although I had pulled a muscle in the left side of my back from something and that damn thing hurt worse than anything else. The bleeding was not too bad actually. I had been worse after Alix. The cramping from the uterus still shrinking hurt but nothing major.

I told him that I would be going back on the pill. As soon as possible!!!!! He palpated my stomach and while he was doing that I reminded him that I wanted to leave at 36 hours instead of 48 if the baby was okay and I was okay. He said he didn't see a problem with that.

After he left the nurse came in to check my vital stats and poked at my belly some more. Geez already! I'm fine! Gave me some bufferin which I'm sure I'm going to pay 5 bucks for one pill, and left. After that the baby's Pediatrician came in. Talked to me for about 15 minutes, told me the baby was perfectly healthy and he left.

At about 8, the dietary crew arrived. Thank God! I was about to starve to death! For some reason I was just hungry as hell. Eating only took about 15 minutes or so and then we were left to wait for the munchkin to arrive.

I spent this time looking over that papers given to me and started not liking the times policy of having the baby in here with me. Only 1 hour visit at a time at the hours of 9, 1, 4, and 8 o'clock. This wasn't enough!!!!

The nurse came back in to stick another needle in me. In my hip this time for the follow-up Rhogam shot because the baby ended up being O+ bloodtype and I was A-. Ouch!

Finally, she was brought in. I hesitated a minute then asked the nurse if I could have her stay with me all day. This wasn't a problem. They just needed me to look over the rooming-in papers and sign them.

She finally left and we were once again alone with the baby.

She slept. She woke up and ate half an ounce of formula. Burped, changed diaper, slept. Boss 2's wife stopped by with an absolutely beautiful flower arrangement. She continued to sleep.

I'd forgotten how much newborns sleep. Stuart's Mom and Dad showed up later that evening with Alix and Mikey. Then my Mom and my sister. They visited for awhile then left. Erica went back to the nursery at 9 p.m.

First day over.

Stuart wouldn't be staying that night at the hospital. It was pretty hard to see him leave that night. Hard on him too. Actually, I felt quite lost. I waited about 45 minutes to make sure he had enough time to get home then called him.

We talked for a bit then said our goodnights. Then I finally lay down at about midnight to go to sleep.

The next morning was more of the same. Stuart finally came back at about 9 p.m. The hours from 7 until then had dragged on forever. I wanted Stuart to hurry up and get back and for the baby to be brought in. He arrived just a few minutes before she did.

At that point, I was already dressed and packed up ready to GO!

The nurse checked the numbers. Did you know they did that now?

 At birth the baby is given a hospital bracelet with my name and numbers identical to what is on my bracelet. Whenever the baby is brought to you, the nurse asks you to read off the number on your bracelet while checking to make sure the number is the same on the baby's bracelet.

Anyhow. The nurse brings her in, checks the numbers then hands her to me. I'm so totally into seeing her that it takes me a few minutes to notice Stuart just sort of standing there patiently waiting for me to offer her to him to see. Oops!! :)

There was a bit of a misunderstanding. The Pediatrician had told me that she could leave after 9:30 a.m. but he forgot to write it down on her files. We finally got it squared away and the wheelchair was called for me at about noon.

Loaded up into the car and were finally on our way home.