She's HERE! Long overdue post

I am officially the proud mom of the most incredible little person ever.  Elizabeth was born on March 2, 2014 at 9:54 am after one heck of a labor and delivery.

I was induced on her due date (March 1, 2014) due to some bleeding I was having.  I made it to 3 cm and then got an epidural (needed two of them since the first went in a vein).  The epidural was not a big deal at all and really not painful at all.  We were both in distress early on the 2nd so we went in for an emergency c-section.  Dan was able to hold her first and do the skin to skin.

After almost 5 days in the hospital, we started our journey as a family of four (Sterling included of course).  

I have learned more in the past month than I have in my entire life.  Here are some of the things thus far so I don't forget them.

• Never judge another woman's birth story.  Ever.  Until you walk a centimeter in her shoes, you have n right to judge.
• Labor is intense and women than do it without pain meds need some sort of year long vacation.
• Labor is messy.  Period.
• Throw out your birth plan immediately.  For the women that are able to follow it, you are very very lucky.
• Be open to breast feeding as well as formula.  I think because I was open to both and took the pressure off of myself we nursed with ease.
• Never say never in regards to anything labor or parenting.
• You will be in awe of what your body and mind can do.
• Rest.
• Limit visitors post baby when you get home.  That first weekend was rough for us with back to back visitors when you are trying to get used to the new family dynamics.
• You bleed.  Longer than you think.
• Invest in at least 4 nursing bras if you nurse as well as a ton of bra pads.
• Laundry for yourself becomes severely neglected and replaced by tiny little sleepers and swaddle blankets.
• I swore I would never co-sleep.  I was wrong.
• Take advice with a grain of salt.  You know what's best for your child.
• If this is your first, the days of getting up and going quickly are gone for now.  It takes a lot longer than expected to do a "quick" run to Starbucks.
• Remind yourself to shower.
• Take the stool softener.  Often.
• Don't try on your pre-baby jeans after 2 weeks you give birth.  No one wins that game.
• Your friends who don't have kids don't get it and those that do, well, you not only have a new respect for them but you become much closer to them.
• You don't exist anymore to your parents...you are just the person who brings the baby to them.  (My dad though always addresses me which is nice)
• You fall in love with your partner in a whole new way.  
• Put the phone down, ditch the laptop and stare at the miracle you created.