First and foremost - WELCOME Emily Jane!
On Sept 18th last year, we had to most beautiful, crooked nosed baby join our family. Mommy went into the hospital at about 10:30pm, and left you home with Aunt Fer Fer. The Dr. broke my water at about 12:30 am and 10 painful, scary, stressful hours later, little Janie was born. I was excited to give birth the "other" way this time, but truthfully...still not sure what I preferred. I liked the immediate gratification of the c-section, but the sheer will and determination it took to push Jane out was pretty gratifying too. Emily and Fer Fer were right in after Janie was born. Fer Fer brought you down. You weren't sure what to think at first. You just looked at your sister, held her for a minute, and then just started being your crazy curious self - checking out the hospital room, wanting the watch the TV, etc.
Jane - you gave us so much worry at the beginning of my pregnancy, and you weren't done yet. The Dr.s said you were totally healthy, but had a high white blood cell count that indicated you had some type of infection. they told us not to worry too much, but that you were going to have to stay in the hospital a little longer so they could give you intravenous antibiotics. So, Mommy got to stay her full 5 days in the hospital again. it wasn't quite as luxurious this time thought, because after day 3, they just let me have the room. No more room service or nurse care :) But they still brought you in to me at night, so I could nurse you (you were a natural). I feel blessed to have been able to stay with you.
But as I think any mother woudl tell you, the transition from one baby to two is hard. Emotionally more than anything. I felt so guity to be away from Madi. I cried most every day, and tried to get whoever was watching Madi to bring her down.
But then they would bring you down - and you would remind me...that maybe I did need my rest :)
We had one very special visit one day. It was from Grandpa Jack. He had been quite sick, and in pain from something wrong with his shoulder. Even with all his pain, his thoughts were of Jane. he was worried about her infection, and brought his neighbor to the hospital to give you a blessing. It was very special, and I am so glad he was able to do that . It must have worked, because you went home two days later.
When Jane got the all clear, Daddy came and picked us up. When we got home, Grandma and Grandpa were here to greet us. They were babysitting you. You kept trying to touch baby sister.
First night was rough, but I think still a little easier than the first time. Janie, you were a pretty good baby, got on a schedule quickly, and before long, you were giving me good 3 hour sleep sessions in between feedings.
I was very lucky to have a helper over the next 6 weeks off work. I had Jim helping with Madi and Tildy, and I was able to sleep in most mornings, and take naps with Janie throughout the day. Thank goodness. I so enjoyed my time off.
Nobody knew what to call you for the next few months."Is her name Emily, Emily Jane, Jane??", we always tell people it is any of the above. Some days we call you Emily Jane, others just Jane. For at least the first 6 months, Madi called you nothing but Emily Jane. So sweet.
I think this is good for now. I plan to post an update for each month following Janies birth and then will do my best to keep updating going forward. We shall see :) I am a great procrastinator. Hope you gals don't get that trait :)
Up until now Madi, I have been writing as thought I was talking directly to you. Hopefully you don't mind sharing these conversations now with your sister. I thought a lot about renaming the site, but the good news is that really...you are both MJ Mangrums...Janie is just Em J :) So I think the name still fits. I may have to add a pic to your heading baby pic though :)
FYI - Madi, right before Jane was born, we took you to the State Fair. Mommy was very pregnant and had a hard time getting around. But we were trying to inspire Jane out...by walking around. You had a blast. thought I'd post a few last pics of you as an only child.
I am so lucky to have you both in my life. You both continuously FORCE me to try and be a better person, make the rigth choices, work hard, and learn patience. For that I am forever grateful. Love you both forever and always xoxoxox Mama
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