Friday, April 16, 2010

Claire Hazel


Claire Hazel
Born April 5, 2010
7 lbs. 3 oz.

21 inches


So it's been what, 11 days since Claire was born and I am finally posting something about it. Life has slowed to a crawl around here. I have so many people helping me do my life right now. I am so grateful. I have really been able to rest, sleep, and just take it easy and I'm hoping it will help me to be back on my feet and feeling normal sooner rather than later. So for the last week and a half, when I've been trying to decide whether to sleep or blog, I've always chosen sleep. But here I am making an effort. It's not much, but you can be sure there will be more! We just love our little Claire bear.


Here's the story:

The night of Easter Sunday, two days after my due date, Bobby and I were sitting on the couch together after the girls went to sleep flipping between the Lord of the Rings and the show where the two guys go searching through other people's crap looking for treasures. The baby was moving A LOT. I thought maybe something might be finally happening. I called Labor and Delivery at the hospital to see if I should come in but the nurse said it was probably nothing and that if I came in she would probably just send me home. So I went to sleep and the next morning I got up, got dressed, and while I was helping Franny get ready for school I realized I wasn't really feeling any movement from the baby. I called the OBGYN office while driving Franny to school and asked if I could come in right away. The doctor was able to verify that everything was okay with the baby but said when there is a big change like that in fetal movement, she likes to induce labor right away. I was thrilled. I went home quickly to get my hospital bag and make arrangements for great friends to watch my girls and headed back to the hospital. I was induced with both Franny and Sophie and everything about last week's induction felt the exact same until my doctor came in to break my water. After doing so, she was checking to see if I had progressed any further and said to one of the nurses, "Get me an ultrasound." There was silence until I dared speak because her instructions to the nurse and the way she hurriedly washed her hands and took off her white coat made me nervous. "Is everything okay?" I managed to get out. The doctor said, "the baby is no longer in position. I'm going to try and flip her." That did not feel good. And Claire was not cooperative. At all. But I was grateful to my doctor for trying. Finally it was decided that a C-section was in order. My doctor guessed that the baby's arms were up and wrapped around her head and in the way and that perhaps might be why I hadn't gone into labor. I've always hated the idea of a C-section, but when it came down to it, I just wanted the baby out and safe and it didn't really matter how. That said, until I got my spinal I was feeling pretty anxious about what was about to happen to me. Luckily I was surrounded by amazing doctors (3 anesthesiologists, 1 OB, and Claire's pediatrician) and nurses who were there to help me through it. And of course Bobby. Thank goodness for him. He stayed by my head the hold time, holding my hand, telling me I was doing a great job. (I figured my "job" was just to lay there and not freak out that I was being cut open. Easy enough when you can't feel anything but some weird pressure.) Of course the most exciting part was when I started to hear the staff start saying things like:

"AHHH!!!"
"There's the foot!"
"She's doing the splits!"
"Here she is!"

When they pulled her out, both of her hands and one of her legs were up by her head! This was not a big baby, and I'm a tall girl. There really shouldn't have been any reason for me to have a c-section except for her bizarre acrobatic position. The nurses said she wanted to come out with flair.

Photobucket
Sophie demonstrating Claire's position in the womb.

I think the first thing I said was, "Does she have hair?" What's wrong with me? Like that matters. Then I said, "Is it a girl?" I've had some weird feelings about this one. She made me wait two extra days, she came out in the most bizarre position causing me to have a C-section... I wouldn't put it past her to change her gender on us at the last minute. ;) Like her sister Sophie, I think this one might be coming with a generous dose of sass.

It was a couple of hours before I really got a good look at her. They brought her right over to the table and got to work on her. I just love the sound of their first cry. Bobby went to check her out and I was craning my neck from behind the drape trying to get a peek. Then they let Bobby hold her for a second and he brought her over to me, but I could still barely see her out of the corner of my eye. So I just pressed the side of my face next to hers and that had to be enough until after she was bathed and cleaned and I had been through post-op. I was so happy to get to my room and finally see her. She looks a lot like my other babies did as newborns. She has a lot less hair than Sophie did, but she still has a decent set of locks. Her hair is much lighter than Franny and Sophie's was. That's kind of fun. I'm hoping she'll be a little blonde toddler like Bobby was. She wants her hands up by her face most of the time.

Here's a picture of me holding Claire for the first time:

And a few more shots of baby Claire. It's so much fun to have a little one around again.
Hands up by her face.

Big sister Sophie holding her for the first time.

Franny holding Claire for the first time.

The first morning we were back at home, Bobby picked Claire up and say, "Hi Claire, I'm your Daddy." And I realized it was the first time he'd seen her with her eyes open! I had to take a picture.

Here she is telling off her sisters. See what I mean about the sass?

41 comments:

Rach said...

Wow, that's quite the story!! I'm glad all is well and everyone is safe and happy! I'm glad you have people to help you out too. Congrats on your beautiful baby girl!

Laci said...

She really is beautiful, Katherine!
Let us know if you need anything.

Natalie said...

YEAH! I have been anxiously awaiting the pictures and hearing the details of sweet Claire. Congratualtions and get your rest!!!

Ashley said...

How funny, Justin's been calling her 'Claire bear' too :) The girls have been asking about her all the time, I'll have to show them some pictures now. And I read that whole story even though I know how it all went down, I just like hearing how you expressed it. Welcome sweet, sassy Claire! I have something fun and completely nonessential on its way to you :) Love you guys.

Sara said...

finally!!
i've been wondering about you and sweet baby claire.
glad to hear you're being taken care of. i love how sophie is demonstrating claire's position in that pic -- haha!!

(happy to see the blanket too :) )

Amy Miller said...

So cute! She is perfect! So glad everything is going well and let me know if you need anything! I can't wait to meet her!

DeGooyer Family said...

Congratulations!!! Glad you have lots of help - best wishes!!! =)

rebecca said...

Yay:) Congratulations:) So fun to see those great pictures of your newest addition :) She is a beauty:) Here's to a speedy recovery:)

rebecca said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chrissy said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! I am thrilled for you all. She is darling. And I love the name.

I still think of your family often, especially my little Franny. I love seeing her grow up into a gorgeous beauty like her mom.

Jami said...

Ahh!! She's so cute! So many little granddaughters for your dad. Same right now as what he had with his own kids, right? 4 girls and 1 boy? I'm not good at knowing who babies look like but I think she looks like Sophie. Lucky!

Anne said...

She's so beautiful Katherine, so happy for you. Love you all.

The last Unicorn said...

I am so glad you wrote about this! I didnt know about the whole birth drama! Isnt it funny how even though you have done this twice before, you never know what is going to happen?
I am so glad you are all doing well. Little Claire is so cute and I love all that sass!

mary jane said...

Congratulations!! Claire is beautiful and I love her name! Especially the middle one :) Katherine you always do things with a flair all your own, I'm sorry to hear about the c-section, but glad that everything turned out ok. You are amazing and I miss you. Three kids is a doozy!

Chantel said...

She is such a sweet baby! Enjoy the help and always choose sleep :) ENJOY!

Morgan said...

holy cute. i have seen her, but she is soooo cute with those little peepers open!
hope you are well.
i will bug you soon.

Kelly said...

Awww! So cute. Congrats!

suzy said...

Oh my! Look at your baby...she's beautiful! I love that name but it's already taken in my family--not like I'm having a baby but seeing yours makes it real tempting. Congratulations!!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations!

I see your dad in Claire in one of the pictures. ;)

Jill said...

I completely agree with the naked Asian chick, some people just can't see the woods for the trees! What a GORGEOUS baby you have, congrats mama!

Jill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
hayley said...

She is gorgeous! I am glad everything was OK with the c-section and I hope the recovery goes well:)

Rebecca S said...

Congratulations Katherine, she's a beauty!

Betsy said...

Wow...you just never know whats gonna happen do you! I am so glad to hear everything is well with you and the baby. She is beautiful. Congratulations!

Big Ears said...

Congrats Kathrine and Bobby! Glad to hear you and Claire are doing well and that the delivery went safely. She's beautiful!

Jenny said...

She is just gorgeous. Congrats!

The Baldwin's said...

Congrats Katherine! She's absolutely beautiful!!

Aubrey said...

She is a cutie! So glad everyone is well and you are hopefully feeling better!

Julia said...

Cutest babe, cutest name. She looks a lot like Sophie to me. Can you believe you are the mother of 3 beautiful girls? Been there...loved every minute of it.

Question. Did your face itch like crazy after your c-section? You look great and I'm sure are recovering well. MIss your face.

Tif Sweeney said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Claire is another gorgeous babe!! I hope you are getting lots of sleep and enjoying the "little" sass!! I would take that over the bigger kind anyday!!! :)

Jordan said...

I loved reading this story. How could YOUR girls NOT come out with at least a bit of sass! Congratulations sweet friend. Three girls are a charm!

Ash and Joe said...

aw so sweet! what a doll! i have been waiting for this post :)

Julia Holmes said...

holy cow! 33 comments! She is beautiful. She looks so much like Sophie. I love all of those pictures. I want to hold her so bad.

HeidiB said...

Congratulation, Fields!!! I've been waiting for the news and checking your blog way too much for updates. I'm so glad to hear she's alright and that you're getting some rest. She's absolutely beautiful... like all the Fields girls!

mtanner said...

She is so beautiful!!!! Good work. Congratulations you guys!!

Ian and Tamra said...

Katherine, she is gorgeous! What a story and way to go on being so in tune with you body! Sending you hugs and good wishes...

Melody said...

Well Congratulations you cute baby Claire! You are one lucky girl to get to live in one of the coolest families in the world, (and best fed).
You be good to your mama, you hear me. She is very special to me.
Love,
Melody

Megan said...

Sorry...I'm a little late, but that won't stop me!!! She is so precious!! That is a crazy story, so glad you are both well. Congratulations. I'm getting over to your house one of these days to see you both!

Raquel said...

Congratulations. And look how beautiful your family is. What a women.

Jena said...

She is too beautiful! I bet you have 3 down like a pro. You are going to have way to much fun with those 3 adorable girls of yours!

Ashlie n Jonathan said...

You always make me laugh and cry! Seriously, you need to write a book. Claire is beautiful. Your "big" girls are growing and are as beautiful as ever. I am glad everything worked out and you are getting some rest. It caught my eye twice, but from pictures you have posted, in your picture with Claire, you look a lot like your sweet Mom. I am sure she was near to witness this heavenly moment, and may even have sent some fun flair down with Claire. My prayers and thoughts are with you during these sacred moments of motherhood- where thoughts turn so much to your own mom. Happy early mothers day to you, a sweet sweet mother of 3 beautiful daughters. Congratulations!

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