And so the I.V. bag began to drip, like sand in an hour glass. Time stood still for me as I breathed through contractions and yet another failed epidural. You think I would have learned my lesson with my first baby but pain has a way of stripping down all your walls leaving you with no choice but to confront the beast. It had only been three hours and the Dr. was telling me to push. Two pushes later, red faced, out of breath, and nails clenched into my husband's arm our beautiful and calm baby Lainey Sedona came peacefully into this world. Time resumed. [Sedona is a city in Arizona where my husband and I became engaged and frequently visit. This city is known for it's spiritual and tranquil surroundings and breath taking views. Sedona is also the name of the man's wife who founded this town. She was a strong, beautiful and bright woman.] Happy now to have the I.V. removed and the needle out of my arm, I held my baby skin to skin just smelling her sweet smell and listening to her bird like coos. Life was just perfect.
And then we went home! Chaos began in full swing! Oh come on motherhood is beautiful and all but lets get real. My two year old's jealousy was coming on full swing and tantrums were flaring. Sleep was and is non-exisitant, the house was a mess and yes oh yes and I won't keep this PG but my boobs were killing me from breast feeding! Feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of giving up my husband was there to remind that it does in fact get better, I was doing great, remember that breast feeding gets better, you can do it, etc. I did, I kept on going like a good mom does.
And then just as things began to fall into place that nagging and horrendous pain in my stomach began to flare up once again. I thought I was past all that. As life will have it when it rains it pours...Wrenched over in pain and a shot of morphine in my arm, I was waiting to be transferred by ambulance to the hospital. Apparently it is common after pregnancy to have your gall bladder removed and so there I was awaiting my fate with another I.V. bag next to my bed. Oh the tears did flow as I thought about my new baby at home wondering where mommy was, would I still be able to breast feed, my two year old thinks I abandoned her and I just can't take this anymore! I needed a freaking break. Instead I got two surgeries. One to remove the gall stones that escaped and one to remove the gall bladder. Both times I had to be put out in hopes I would awake. And not to mention like a black cat crossing my path, Another One Bites the Dust played like an anthem as I was wheeled into the surgery room...the nurse kindly changed the station for me. I came through like a champ minus a few body parts but no more tummy aches for me :)
And so I spent my 28th birthday in the hospital recovering...recovering from having a baby 3 weeks ago and then having my gall bladder removed. Just take me home!!!
I am home now and feel more than blessed to be here with my two beautiful daughters and amazing husband along with the much appreciated help of our parents and friends who were all here for us during this difficult time.
I know you are thinking the Happily ever After part should be here now but its not. I told you before when it rains it pours. Just as May left us and glad to see it go, Brad's grandfather tragically passed away on June 1st. He left us suddenly and with open wounds...Like everything in our lives it will pass and we will all heal...But the Callihan Clan needs a break. Summer has arrived and I'm hoping to put all this behind us and enjoy our little family, take some vacations, enjoy some wine, snap some photos and lay the hour glass sideways so that time rests.
Oh yes and let me not forget..Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband who I could not get through life with out! June 12th has brought us 7 amazing years, two beautiful daughters, irreplaceable memories and lots of I.V. bags! I can do with out those....Cheers my friends to a peaceful and healthful life.
