Special Thanks to Grandma Patt!

Grandma Patt,

Thank you so much for not listening to my Mom’s crazy rules about no
visitors in the first few days. I had so much fun hanging out with
you; listening to you sing, hearing your crazy stories, picking out my outfits,
trying on bows in my hair and snuggling up on the couch!
 

Plus, I’m sure Mom appreciates the rest and help around the house!
 

When are you coming back?
 

XO Abriella

Week 1

My first week was so exciting that I didn’t want to close my eyes and
miss any of it including:
 

Grandma Patt, Nana and Grandpa Pat visits in the hospital and despite
Mom insisting no visitors at home in the first few days; Mom and Dad
begged Grandma Patt to stay and take shifts holding me.
 

Lots of skin on skin time.. in fact the first week, I pretty much
slept only on someone’s chest. Although Mom kept trying the crib and
swing.
 

Lots of feeding .. I love feeding.. I feed all the time. In fact Mom
and Dad are usual bewildered by how much I eat.
 

First Pediatrician Appointment. The Doctor said that I looked great
and was doing well because I gained an ounce back in the first three days after leaving the hospital. Mom and Dad asked for instructions on cutting my nails and cleaning my “lady parts.” Dad has learned about a whole new world of female anatomy from periods to vaginal discharge. Not only could he be a lactation consultant but add PE Health Teacher to the list.
 
As of October 05, 2012
Weight: 8-11
Head:   34.8
Length: 20

Mom turned 34, which sounds sort of old but I let them have the night
off so Grandma Patt and I could try on hair bows while Dad was gone.
They enjoyed a nice dinner out but kept texting us for updates.
 

I get lots of attention, hugs, kisses and snuggles and can’t wait for
more visitors!

Call me Abriella!

Abriella Celeste Dilworth

We thought we had a name picked out for our little girl but after meeting her we had second thoughts. She was so alert in the hours after delivery, wanting to see us and the world and so strong, wiggling to feed in the first 45 minutes of her life and lifting her head up to see us better.

We spent the first 36 hours, just enjoying our little one and then on the third day, we started to think of names that would fit her. So many names and variations that we became tongue tied. Finally we agreed on one name, Abriella (ah bree EL ah).

Daddy made up the following song to help me spell my name...

A - you're adorable,

B - you're so beautiful,

R - 'cause it helps Mom say my name,

I - 'cause I love you,

E - you're enjoyable,

LL's - for Long-Lovely Life,

and that brings us back to A... 

Q. I thought you had a name picked out? 

A. Yes, we did but once we saw her we realized that it didn’t fit her. 

Q. Was Abriella on the original list? 

A. No but variations of the name were like Bree, Briella, Ella, etc. 

Q. Where did you come up with the name? 

A. Her Daddy picked it out. 

Q. You left the hospital without a name? 

A. Yup! I guess Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids is cool with this .. in fact they give you 5 days to decided on a name. 

Q. How do you say her name?

A. Basically, it’s Gabriella just drop the G.

Labor of Love

After my water broke my contractions were slow to start. We took a brisk walk around the block, hoping to jump start the process.

Epidermal.

All smiles post epidermal.

Heart rate and contraction monitors.

Just taking a break in between pushes.

First glance.

Just look at that pout.

There is nothing better.

 

 

Baby Girl held Daddy's hand while the performed the initial check. 

Took Baby Girl no time to find the good stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Girl Dilworth's Labor Story

My water broke at 4:45 am on Sunday September 30. I’m not sure what is
normal but I swear over the next few hours, at least a gallon of water
sporadically seeped out making me wonder if this little one will be a
swimmer.

We contacted our midwife and decided to stay at home since the
contractions hadn’t started yet. I tried to get some sleep, eat
lightly, shower and listened to a guided meditation for labor.

Sporadic back contractions started to intensify shortly after noon and by 130 pm,
we headed to the hospital where I would feel safer.

Upon arrival at the hospital I was determined to be dilated to 5cm and
was admitted. Shortly after the back labor just became really intense,
I tried the jet bath but got out after 15 minutes because the jets
weren’t hitting my back and I was just becoming tired. In the next
wave of contractions, I started throwing up and spontaneously leaking
more water, both of which were frightened me.
 
So I decided to get the epidermal. David was so sweet…He kept asking
me if I was sure and reassuring me that we could do it together
without drugs but it was not for me.
 
After I got the epidermal at 230 pm, I dosed off and woke up around
6pm dilated at 10, which was so crazy. I suddenly became scared about
everything.. would the baby be healthy, would I tear, could I do
this.. that I started to shake like crazy.
 
I was half awake and the midwife was asking me to push when I could
feel nothing.. How do you push when you can’t feel? I just wasn’t
prepared…So I pushed for an hour, trying different focusing techniques
but the baby wasn’t really moving down. My contractions weren’t strong
and so they weren’t doing their job to help me push the baby out. At
this point we started pitocin and took a break to let it start to
work.
 
When we picked back up the nurse, midwife and David naturally formed a
team working together to coach me. David focused on confirming my
contractions, tell me when and how long to push, the nurse focused on
monitoring and helping the midwife, who was feeling the baby and
massaging my perineum. It was such a positive experience having the
three of them. I asked for the mirror so I could see the baby’s head
and all the hair that David and the midwife were gushing over. It
helped me to focus as I reached down and touched her little head. The
epidermal starter to wear off a bit giving me some strength in my legs
to try all sorts of positions guided by the midwife including on my
sides, on all fours, playing tug of war but to no avail. At this
point, I started a fever.
 
We upped the pitcoin, added antibiotics and took another break so I
could gather my strength.
 
In the next round of pushing, we were getting closer but I just
couldn’t get in that one bug push to get the baby out. They put an
oxygen mask on me.  The baby’s heart rate dropped twice to scary lows
and the midwife told me that we needed to do it in the next push or
the doctor was going to have to come in. I knew that this meant a
pretty serious incision. I put my chin to my chest and gave it my best
and with two more rounds of contracts, I was able to push our baby
girl.
 
When the placed her on my tummy I just couldn’t believe it. She was
finally here. She was so alert with her eyes open like she was as much
interested to see what we looked like as we were to her. I checked to
confirm that she was a girl, as we often joked that she might be a boy
but nope.. she was all girl and we loved her!

Photo Reflection on Growing Baby

Week 40

We are officially due today, marking Week 40!
Car Seat is installed, gas tank is full, hospital bag packed, freezer full, toes nicely painted..
David has given me explicit instructions to text and call once labor has started...
So now we wait..

2012 Art Prize

Grand Rapids host an open art competition with the largest prize in the world, 250k. Anyone can submit a piece of art as long as they can find a venue to display it. The 250k prize is awarded based on people's vote. So what you get is a bunch of cool art on display over the city for 3 weeks.

David's Self Portrait at Art Prize