So here we all are in Olympia, living in our house, doing normal family things. Today marks the beginning of my second week with both girls (without help). We went on our first car trip today, just the three of us, to Target for a lampshade. Exciting stuff. I feel really good and mostly recovered — just this weekend I started contemplating looking for a used treadmill for the basement. My muscle tone needs a little work shall we say…

Here are a few high notes from the last month:

Obviously the picture below is missing Telfer but it's been such a sweet time together as a family of four. There are of course the usual sleepless nights with an infant and the occasional two-year-old meltdown, but with help from our sets of parents and Elizabeth as well as an army of delicious meals from Telfer's colleagues and friends from church, we have managed quite well.  

My parents stayed with us the first week Jane and I were back in Oympia. I was still a bit of mess and basically went back and forth between the bed and the couch. Not only did my parents cook and play with Cate and help me with the baby, but yes, they worked on our house. Dad did a bunch of electrical projects and then helped Mom scrape even more wallpaper off of our upstairs bedroom and landing area…hard work. By the time they were getting ready to leave, I was feeling good enough to go out to lunch for my mom's birthday. 

This is what our bedroom looked like before my parents arrived. They completely finished scraping off the wallpaper so Telfer could paint the room. Mom figured out that vinegar works well to loosen wallpaper and the entire house smelled like apple-cider vinegar. Worth the smell to sleep in your own bed. 

We celebrated Cate's birthday on October 6. Our house is directly across the street from a bus stop for the Dash, a free shuttle that goes to the Capitol Campus and downtown Olympia. Cate is understandably very interested in the bus – every 15 minutes when she hears the bus go by she shouts, "bus!" from wherever we are in the house. So on Cate's birthday morning, Cate, Mendy, Elizabeth, Jane and I crossed our street and actually got on the bus. It was so very fun. The look in Cate's eyes… We rode all the way down to the Bread Peddler for morning rolls.

Later that night we had dinner and cupcakes and presents. Ask Cate if she is two, she will say, "cupcake?" Smart girl. Daddy taught her to blow out her candles and she liked it so much we relit them a couple of times so she could have the pleasure of blowing them out again.

Baby Jane Josephine is delightful. She is such a sweet little package. I think she weighs about 6.5 pounds now if I had to guess. I had a twinge of real sadness when she grew out of her first preemie outfit at the end of last week. Cate has adjusted to having a little sister very well. She is interested in Jane's well-being and all her activities (crying, pooping, sleeping). Jane and I have both had colds which has made for some recent long nights.

Mostly this last month has been occupied with moving into our house. Telfer had much of the furniture in place and most of the big projects done when I got home but our garage was completely stuffed with boxes. Once the upstairs was painted, we could finally completely move in. Elizabeth continued to work as our nanny so I could take care of Jane and get our home settled. I worked like a madwoman. It was part fun and part manic. But! I got a lot done! For unpacking the kitchen though, I needed Elizabeth's help. Cate went to Grammy's house for the night and Elizabeth and I set to work. This is a picture of just some of the kitchen items that needed to be sorted through, washed and put away. It looks like a pile of yard sale junk!

Our house is mostly organized and decorated now. We are loving living here. We still have lots of projects to work on (trim painting, back entry, a few stray boxes) but all of those can wait for the occasional weekend. 

Many wonderful moments this month. I have been overcome with thankfulness at times – reading to Cate or making a salad or out to lunch with Telfer and Jane. I love this life. So many things to thank our Lord for.

hello, pumpkin
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

How adorable is this? Taking advantage of beautiful fall weather, we took Cate and Jane to the pumpkin patch yesterday. And Cate liked the rocks on the gravel road beside the pumpkin patch infinitely more than the pumpkins. Still, a fun outing.

So I haven’t blogged much in the last month. I am not sure where the time has gone — well, yes I am, getting reacquainted with Cate, taking care of an infant and moving into our house. I should think that takes at least a month. More later, maybe even tonight. For now, Jane is making noises in her bassinet…

first seconds
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

This may not be for everyone but I just wanted to write it down.

I threw several mini-fits the morning Jane was born. My nurse was annoying me mostly. She couldn't find the right IV. She wouldn't let me sleep until 7:00 AM even though the c-section was scheduled for 10:15 AM. She wanted me to change into a gross hospital gown at 5:30 AM. I said no.

Thankfully Telfer arrived from the airport by 7:00 AM and calmed me down. The OR was running ahead of schedule so by 8:00 we were already on our way upstairs. By 9:15 I was prepped and in the OR getting a spinal epidural. Telfer and Eleanor were able to stand back with the anesthesia and observe.

Weirdest experience of my entire life. Jane was literally pulled out of me at 9:45 AM. Hearing that first cry after all these months…Telfer and Eleanor went with the pediatrics people over to a different side of the room.

Things began to get dicey. This anesthesia tech who knows Telfer was trying to engage me in conversation about digital books of all things and I was not in the mood. I was starting to feel a lot of what the doctors were doing. Not good. Turns out I not only had complete placenta previa, but placenta accreta as well (placenta is abnormally attached to the uterine wall).

Finally, more anesthesia. Woke up in recovery almost 3 hours later. Lost a lot of blood requiring four blood transfusions and lots of other blood products. Spent more than 24 hours in the recovery area. I don't even want to talk about the pain control yet. Eleanor and Telfer took turns sitting by me. Jane, perfectly healthy, was being taken care of in the well baby nursery.

On Saturday afternoon, I went up to the high risk floor for a few hours and back down to my room later that evening. Sunday morning was the first time I got to hold my girl for more than two minutes. I immediately unwrapped her and checked her out. Such a beautiful girl.

So definitely no more babies for us! Telfer and I are so thankful for God's grace and protection. Pray for our transition home in the next few weeks.

trying to ward off jaundice
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

We are now checked out of the hospital and in a hotel on the Upper West Side. Walked a block with Telfer and Jane. I am still really sore and weak. My little 5 lb girl and I make quite the pair. Went out to lunch. Meeting Molly & Ryan for dinner. I am getting a steak and spinach and a glass of red wine. Anemia!

Last night I slept in a real bed for the first time in 2.5 months and let me tell you: it felt good. It was weird to sleep in (granted after being up during big chunks of the night breastfeeding and pumping and changing diapers) until 8:30 this morning. The NA did not come in to check my vitals. The resident didn’t examine me and ask the same questions. I could get used to this.

Our flight leaves tomorrow at 7:00 PM ET. We will spend a couple of nights with Chris & Mendy and then we’ll start to sleep at our own house. My mom & dad are coming on Sunday. I get to see my Cate.

jane josephine
Originally uploaded by telfandrea.

Sorry for the slowness in updating. Telfer has kept his facebook updated but all else has taken a backseat.

First, let me introduce Jane Josephine Griffith, born on September 10, 2010 at 9:45 AM weighing 5 lbs 1 ounce and 17.9 inches long. Born at 36 weeks, 6 days. Beautiful, completely healthy.

Jane means “God is gracious.” Indeed.

Back story later and then we are moving on from this phase of our lives.