Eden, Day 3

Reuel took off to spend a few hours at home with the gang, and Eden is napping delightfully.  So, what to do.  As much as I like sitting around and reading or watching TV at home, somehow in the hospital it just makes me stir crazy.  I think Reuel is having the same feeling.  But this time around, I'm not actually ready to go home early just yet...yeowch!!  This recovery is distinctly tougher than the last two!  I bounced back fast from those, and was early on my feet, feeling pretty good, and only ever took ibuprofen for pain.  Well, I made it til this morning on ibuprofen, but I finally caved and asked for something a little stronger...not that I've noticed the difference yet :P  I can officially say that 2 large and 1 normal size baby and 3 c-sections were a little too much for this body.  My abdomen is stretched so thin that giving birth has revealed some spots that are either herniated or so thin that my insides are bulging out and they sent me for a CT scan and are setting me up with a surgical consult in a couple of months to discuss how to fix what used to be my belly.  When your OB and the attending surgeon tell you that your mom tummy needs to be fixed up, you know it's bad.  Well, we'll see what comes of that, but for now I'm in bad shape.  I'm sure that's some of what the extra pain is from...and things they don't tell you til after the fact...that you have much more cramping as your uterus returns to normal size after a 3rd birth than after a first.  You think???  I feel like I'm in labor every time little missy breastfeeds!  Reuel must think I am the whiniest woman right now, but I seriously have to breathe and moan a little through these feedings.  Wow.  So, that's the story.

On the other hand, Eden is absolutely delicious.  She is a tiny baby!  We've never gotten one of those before!  She is so delicate and perfect.  I think she was starving hungry yesterday, and hence the no-sleeping and irritability.  Today she is perhaps getting a tad more from me and is much easier to live with.  Her little face is so sweet and she has a soft baldy head.  Everyone is cooing over her when they come to do their hospital chores in our room, and Reuel and I were rolling our eyes...oh, come on, she's a baby, and no cuter than any other down the hall, right?  We said that to a nurse who merely lifted her eyebrows and told us how surprised we might be to discover how not-cute many, many newborns are, with their faces all smushed after delivery.  Well then, I guess C-sections yield cute babies :)  How did Reuel and I end up with such cute kids??

We are just very, very thankful for our small problems, and our big blessing of a daughter.  What a special Christmas, and I am very conscious of being in a warm room, with an adjustable bed, a clean bathroom, and staff to meet my every need...instead of a stable, with straw, and dirty animals...wow.  Thank you Jesus, for humbling yourself and coming to serve and save us.