1st Shopping Trip

Because we're insanely protective parents, we declined to take Stella anywhere but a walk for the first six weeks after our pediatrician advised that a fever (from a common cold or any such virus) is an automatic trip to the ER and a two day hospital stay. No risk taking for us. But I finally convinced Stella's father to let us give Target a try. She was great! Timing must have been perfect because she slept the whole time, waking once in-store only to be lulled to sleep again by the cart. It was SUCH a treat to have a taste of independence; and confidence that we can have a life outside of our house.

1 Month: The Good. The Bad. The Acne.

Stella is now over a month old! A lot has already changed with her in this short "outside" time. She's now smiling (a lot).

Screaming (moderately during the evenings).

And, thank goodness, has closed the book on the acne (for now).

Life with her is wonderful and challenging.

Good Dogs.

Our awesome and entertaining mutts, Brando & Mia have definitely taken a back seat to baby Stella, as they should. But to give them props, the dogs have been pretty stinkin' good with the huge change. And so I give them a big shout out this Friday. Good dogs!!

(Other than the one poopy diaper-chewing episode - Mia!)

Yay doulas. Yay Shari!

We had a fabulous doula assist in Stella's birth, Shari Aizenman. She the wise woman with natural instincts and a sense of humor like a sailor (which is really why I love her).

I can't believe I was on the fence about getting a doula. I am soooo happy we had Shari there for the encouragement, support and love. She was also sweet enough to write our birth story down (see below).

Thanks Shari! We love you.

Stella Marie Antar’s Birth Story

By Shari Aizenman, Doula

More than anything, when I arrived at your house, your dad seemed so relieved. Your grandma was so busy attending to your mom, who was breathing through her surges while leaning across the birthing ball.

I offered Mom a pillow for underneath her knees. She said that made her more comfortable. She was beautiful, managing your her early labor so beautifully. Dad busied himself with chores to be completed, and did a halfway job of keeping the dogs out of Mom’s way. Grandma was knitting something or another...I saw all of the beautiful things she had already made for you. I pressed on Mom’s sacrum to make her surges more comfortable and after some time, we shared some tea. It had been an incredibly stormy Wednesday morning, but as we went into afternoon, the rain had subsided. It still looked kind of gray outside. It didn’t matter...we were all so excited that you were coming!

I asked Mom if she would like to get into the big bathtub upstairs to see if she could get more comfortable as you moved through her body. She said “yes” and the two of us went upstairs. Brando joined us. Mom lay on the bed while I ran a bath. She rested and labored, so beautiful, her sense of humor intact, smiling and so calm.

When Mom got into the tub, she stretched and moved to allow your body to be as comfortable as possible within hers. She let me brush her hair. We talked about so many things, mainly about letting go of stress and fear. Grandma came up to check on her.

And she moved. And shifted. And squatted. Mom was so incredible, listening to her body and staying in trust. She slowly became ready to go to the hospital. She called for Dad. He came upstairs and we all helped Mom out of the bath and into her clothes, a black dress and green sweater. (We might snicker about that for some time to come.)

Grandma and I followed Mom and Dad to the hospital. There was a moving van in the street going so slowly. I turned off and arrived at the hospital, expecting to see Dad drive up any minute. Finally, your grandma and I went to the 7^th floor at AMC looking for your mom, and as we were talking to the nurse, at 3:40pm on the 9^th of March, 2011, Mom came through the doors, wheeling herself in a wheelchair! I had never seen anything like it! (Dad had left her at the front door of the hospital to park the car. Grandma and I had come in through the emergency room.)

Nurses Sharon and Holly checked Mom into her room and Dad began to get things settled. Your mom was asking for relief of some type; still, she really kept it together as Anjli Aurora Hinman, the midwife, came into the room and offered support and encouragement. We helped the staff get the birthing tub set up and finally, Mom entered the birthing tub and was able to get a bit of relief from the warm water.

Grandma, Dad, Anjli and I surrounded and supported your mom until night fell. Shortly thereafter, your mom got a bit frustrated and we asked her to try and pee. She got out of the tub and tried in the restroom, to no avail. She came onto the bed in the room and shortly after being catheterized, began to quickly push you out of her body.

Dad was amazed. I will never forget the look on his face as the top of your sweet little head began emerging from Mom’s body. I asked Mom to look at him and as soon as she did, a huge pressure wave came over her body, I told her to reach down and take you! She was a little afraid at first, but Anjli and I encouraged her hands to your slippery body and she pulled you from between her legs and brought you to her chest. (You had an interesting entwinement thing going on, your umbilical cord wrapped around both of your arms...you must have been dancing inside Mom’s belly!) You came outside-into this world- with your right hand to your cheek, Apgar scores of 9 and 9, at 7:56 in the evening.