Sisters

I could never love this too much...

She's Here Which Means I'm No Longer Pregnant.

Elodie Chandler

November 4, 2013 at 2:04 pm

6 lbs 14 oz

20 2/3 in

The truth is, by the time I arrived in Johannesburg at 34 weeks, I was over being pregnant. 3 1/2 weeks later I was really over it. Uncomfortable, not sleeping, heartburn, aching in the lower half, hot, and awkward. When Elodie's time came, I was over the moon, not just because I was meeting my second, beautiful daughter, but because my pregnancy was o.v.e.r. 

I was absolutely convinced that Elodie would weight well over 8 pounds, especially since my doctor measured her at over 7 pounds at my 37 week appointment. Then, little Elodie was born; about a whole pound less than Waverly and a fraction of an inch longer.

Last photo as a family of three

The story's not that profound. I was told by my OB in the States, after Waverly was born, that I would not be able to vaginally deliver a baby over 6 pounds. I don't have those "birthin' hips" as my friend put it. So, when I arrived in South Africa, during my first appointment with my OB here, we scheduled a cesearan for November 4. I was scheduled for a 3 o' clock surgery, but ended up going in around 1:30 and Elodie was born at 2:04.

Admitted and waiting...

Except for a few minutes of high anxiety as they raised the sheet between my head and the rest of my body - the close proximity of the sheet, the smell of the sheet, and the lack of feeling in my lower half had my blood pressure on the rise - I actually enjoyed the whole experience. The anesthesiologist was of the joking sort, giving us a hard time about being from the States, except when he found out we are from Kentucky, at which time he expressed his love of bourbon to which I made sure he hadn't yet enjoyed his bourbon that day. Smoothest epidural set-up ever. During the surgery, we entertained conversations about family and the high cost of living in a particular South African province. We laughed when Chandler exclaimed, She has teeth! Which she doesn't and we were given the likelihood of children being born with teeth. It was nice to actually be present for the whole ordeal instead of hopped up on drugs and exhausted beyond all reason. I literally sobbed when I heard and saw my sweet girl when, with Waverly, I think I let out a weak, Yay. and fell straight asleep. 

I also had the glorious opportunity to hold my baby before she was wisked off to the nursery; an opportunity I was not granted with Waverly. Unfortunately, Chandler was not able to hold her at any time that day for Elodie was, as I said, wisked off to the nursery with respiratory issues. 

And the admitting nurse asked if I wanted to remove my finger nail polish... please, lady.

The whole evening kind of slid by after that. I remember being rolled down the hallway to my room, passing my big girl and crying a little more. 

Seeing Elodie for the first time

I remember a nurse bringing Elodie to my room and the doctor entering quickly on her heels telling me that Elodie couldn't stay because she desperately needed to be on oxygen. Then she was taken from me, by the confused nurse, and that was the last I saw of her for the rest of the day. I remember being told that Elodie would, more than likely, end up in the NICU, once a space opened up. I remember receiving updates from three different nurses at three different times and being so confused, texting Chandler to return quickly as he had taken Waverly, Donna, and Caroline back to the house. I needed him to be with Elodie and I needed him to be the clear head as the medicine was taking over and sending me into a deep sleep.

As it so happens, Elodie's condition was not uncommon in babies who are born via c-section without experiencing the contractions of labor first which help squeeze the fluid out of the baby. In these situations, the baby can be born with wet lungs which inhibit their ability to breathe well. So, Elodie was provided oxygen to help dry out her lungs and keep her breathing. She was admitted to the NICU at about 8:00 that night, when a spot opened up. I felt helpless and sad not being able to spend time with her. The next morning, I was able to visit with her and nurse her for the first time. Chandler was also able to hold her for the first time.

One happy daddy 

Wearing my "W" necklace for my bigger girl and cuddling my little girl.
Waverly asked every day, while touching my necklace, if I thought about her all day.

Elodie was released from the NICU at 10:00 am, after 14 hours on tubes having her breathing closely monitored. From that moment on, she stayed in my room until we were released on Thursday. But what made that day extra special was seeing my two girls together; my oldest oohing, aahing, and loving all over her baby sister.

Elodie gifted Waverly with the crochet embodiment of her imaginary friends: Eliza and Apple, the dragons.

Pleased as punch.

Ready to hold the baby

I'll admit, I expected a boy this time around. I just had that feeling. At my 37 week appointment, the ultrasound revealed without a doubt the presence of what makes a girl. I still wouldn't believe it until I held her in my arms. And the first time I held her, kissed her, told her I loved her, I was smitten and overjoyed to have another baby girl in our family. Chandler is severely outnumbered at this point, but I don't think he minds too much...

Best life ever.

First photo as a family of four

Iza ny anaranao "chips"?

"Iza ny anaranao?" in official Malagasy is, loosely,"What is your name?" Literally, it is "Who the your name?" But that's neither here or there. What's funny about this particular phrase is how Waverly chooses to use it.

She doesn't know much Malagasy except some basics that Chandler and I have taught her: greetings, please (and thank you and excuse me - all one word in official), and how to ask for someone's name. Oh, and "Avia!" and "Mivoaka!" Commands we use with the dog and Waverly, in turn, uses with the kids she plays with...  Otherwise, we recognize our first language within the family and hope that she will pick up Malagasy in her interactions with the nationals. 

Unfortunately, this is more difficult than we hoped and she hasn't learned anymore than what we've taught her; hence her incorrect, but hilarious, usage of the question, "Iza ny anaranao?" For example, when she wants our day guard to make her a jump rope out of palm leaves, she asks him, "Azafady, Jean Claude, Iza ny anaranao jump rope?" Or when she wants to help our housekeeper mop the floor, "Azafady, Iza ny anaranao help?" 

But it will come. The longer we are here, the better she'll learn to communicate with those around her. For now, the communication barrier doesn't seem to bother her too much, especially since kids have the uncanny ability to communicate without words and still have a great time. 

For me, though, it's tough. My heart hurts for her and makes me miss her friends back home. And it makes me more anxious for the baby to come, for her to have a little one to grow up with who will understand her and our culture and language. At the same time, I think back on the last year and a half and all that we have been through together as a team of three. Chandler and I both agree that we've had a great three and a half years with just our girl. I blame it on the hormones that my emotions and feelings are so conflicting.

So, as a last "hurrah" as the Snyder family of three, we are doing at least one big family thing each week leading up to the baby's birth.

Last week we spent the afternoon at the beach.

We relaxed...

Played a little football...

Built various things...

And acted like goofballs...

It goes without saying that we had a wonderful day together and made great memories. My hope is, when days get hard for Waverly, be it because of her baby brother or sister getting all of the attention or her want for friends, that she will look back on these days and know that there were special times just for her.

On the pregnancy front: I am now almost 32 weeks along. And, although well into the third trimester, I'd like to have something recorded about the second trimester. 

Much like my pregnancy with Waverly, the second trimester wasn't much of a honeymoon as it is considered to be on all of the pregnancy websites. Only this time around, the three months of this trimester were caught up in the flurry of moving and stress of settling in to a new town, new routine, and new problems to overcome. I first felt baby kicks at the end of the first trimester; however, baby really got going in the second. No illness, no major physical complaints, and no problems sleeping! By the second trimester with Waverly, I was sleeping with a pillow between my knees and one under my belly and had constant issues with my hip falling asleep. Now, thanks to our fabulous Tempurpedic, I've only just recently run into problems sleeping and that's mostly because I have to go to the bathroom every few hours. :/ 

It's been interesting being pregnant in Madagascar. I fully expected to be assaulted at every turn with the women and children touching my belly; however, that's not been the case and for that, I am so so thankful. It would be a detriment to my Christian witness having to manhandle nationals for invading my personal space. 

It also never hurt a girl to have maternity clothes. With my first pregnancy, I was wearing dark colors and winter appropriate clothing. This time around, even though it's been winter here in Madagascar, I've had no need of the cold weather clothes, but I've made due and haven't raised a complaint because, by golly, nothing feels better to a pregnant momma than maternity pants. 

Only 2 1/2 weeks until Waverly and I fly to Johannesburg and after the day I've had today, the day couldn't come quick enough!