I'm SO OLD!!

In case you all didn't know, I'm one year old now. It's been a long year and I'm quite proud of all I've accomplished. Since my mommy wasn't on top of this whole blog thing, she was keeping a little journal and she's going to post it here so you are all up to date on my accomplishments, not to brag or anything. Love, Ruby June


Dear Miss Ruby June,

Today you are one week and one day old. I am writing to tell you the story of your birth. Right now you are in your swing and you seem to be enjoying it for the first time, so you are relatively quiet. Last Tuesday afternoon at around 4:00, I was watching Oprah when I started to feel contractions. I had lost my mucus plug around 2:30 which could have meant that you would be coming soon, so I was excited and had put your daddy on alert that you could be on your way, he was at work.

I was planning on watching the rest of Oprah and then calling your daddy again but, around 4:30, I realized that the contractions were pretty close together so I called and told him he should head home but not to rush and that he could pick up a stopwatch on his way. Then I called my friend Sara Duggan and told her I thought you might be on your way and then I told her I had better go and check where your daddy was because the contractions were getting more intense. So I called daddy and told him that he didn’t need to worry about stopping to get a stopwatch.

Then I called Grandma Vicki and told her that we were going to check with the hospital and once we knew you were really on your way we would call her back. Grandpa Chris was in a golf tournament in Sequiem and had told me to “hold you in” until it was over. Since you were already a day past your due date I was not interested in this plan. I had already tried everything I could think of to get you to be born. I went swimming, I ate spicy food, I used acupressure points, I went on long walks, everything I could think of.

When daddy got home we called Labor and Delivery in Redwood City and let them know that my contractions were about 6 minutes apart. They wanted me to wait until they were about 4 minutes apart so I laid down on the couch and daddy went and got a stopwatch to time the contractions. I stayed home for about another hour and got pretty nauseous and threw up a couple of times. After an hour I called Labor and Delivery again. They said I could stay home for a while longer or I could come in. I decided that we needed to go to the hospital so we were off.

We got to the hospital around 7:30pm and they weren’t sure they were going to admit me yet, so they decided to check my progress. I was only 1 and ½ centimeters dialated but I was 95% effaced so they suggested that I walk around for about an hour and see what happened. Daddy and I walked up and down this little hallway about a million times and I found that leaning over counters was the most comfortable thing for me to do during contractions. After an hour they checked again and I had dialated to 4 centimeters so they decided to admit me. Daddy called Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Chris to let them know and they both started driving to the airport, Grandma from Raymond and Grandpa from Sequiem. Once they got there they found that there weren’t any flights until morning so they booked their flight and went to a hotel to get a few hours of sleep.

At the hospital daddy and I spent another hour walking up and down the hallway. When they were about to check me again I was having a contraction and leaning on a counter when, splash, my water broke all over the floor. Daddy let the nurses know and they checked me again. I was 6 centimeters dilated and the contractions started coming much faster. (NOTE: It is now Friday June 15th and you are 1 week and 2 days old. You were very fussy yesterday and I didn’t get a chance to write anymore. Good thing you are so darn cute ☺) Since I wasn’t having time to recover between contractions I decided to have an epidural, it was going to be a little while before they got there though so they gave me some Fentynol in the meantime. After that I felt a little better. Then the epidural people got there. They complained that it was too cold in the room. I was soooo hot and had the thermostat turned all the way down and had your daddy fanning me but I was still roasting.

It took an hour for them to get the epidural in. They couldn’t find a good spot in my back and then they couldn’t get the tube in and they were hitting a nerve and my contractions were coming one on top of another. Then they had to start over because it was not working out. This was the worst hour of the whole labor. After the epidural was in, I felt great and was able to relax. I even chatted with the anestegiologist about the new Oprah book club selection because we had both already read it. They finished around midnight and then your daddy and I decided to try to get some rest.

Daddy started snoring but I was attached to lots of machines taking my blood pressure, my IV, my IV antibiotics, my cathetar, my internal monitor, and your internal monitor so I wasn’t very comfortable. Also, my epidural wore out on one side so I had to have them come back and fix it. Then they didn’t like my blood pressure so they came to take blood. I told the guy he could turn the lights on to take my blood but he said that it was fine and he just stabbed into my arm in the dark. I told the nurse I was feeling some pressure and she asked if I felt like I had to push, I said no so she said to get some rest and wait.

At 3:15 the nurse came back in to check me. When she did she looked surprised and asked if I was feeling pressure. I said yes and she said that I should do a practice push and see. I pushed and she was like, ok the baby is right here, hold on let me get my things. She started dashing around and we made sure your daddy was awake and the midwife came in. Her name was Anne and she had a big tattoo on her arm and she was really nice. Your daddy held my leg up for me and I had 3 contractions during which I pushed 5 times and then you were here at 3:29AM on June 6th, 2007. Your heartbeat was going down during the contractions so the midwife was really concerned and said that she knew I didn’t want an episiotomy but that she might have to do one anyways. That scared me enough to push you out.

Once you were out they put you right on me while your daddy cut the umbilical cord. Daddy says it was tough and harder to cut than he thought. I was in a state of total wonderment. I just couldn’t believe that after all that waiting and wondering that you were here and you were real and perfect and amazing and I just stared and stared at you. Then they took you over to the bassinet to get you cleaned up. Daddy went with you and took about a hundred pictures. I had to push out the placenta (gross) and got a few stitches. Then they came back and gave you back to me all bundled up. Daddy and I talked to you and I tried to nurse you but you didn’t seem too interested. Your left foot was a little bit squashed so they wanted to have a podiatrist look at it later. You looked perfect to us but I suspect that was the foot lodged in my ribcage for the last nine months.

They gave us some time to bond with you for about an hour. We took pictures and stared at you. Next they gave you a quick sponge bath. Then I had to get up because they wanted me to use the bathroom and get ready to move upstairs to the recovery room. Your daddy made a few phone calls to let people know you were here and then you and I got in the wheelchair for our ride upstairs. On the way out of the delivery room the nurses said it was amazing how fast everything went and how lucky I was. I think I must have been delirious because I said that it was great and that I’d sign up to do it again right away. I went on to say that if there was a menu for delivery I would have chosen it to go just the way that it did. I was extremely happy and babbling on and on. A mother of one of the other ladies in labor came over to look at you and she got so excited and said they weren’t there yet, so I let her know that they would be soon. Then the nurses said that when I did have another baby I’d need to give my history so that they would know how quickly I delivered the first time so that the next baby wouldn’t be born in the car on the way to the hospital.

We were wheeled up to our new room and got settled. By now it was about 5 in the morning. We were so excited we couldn’t sleep at all and I made some phone calls. I called my Grandma Ruby and told her that we had named you Ruby June Rinehart. She was so touched and thrilled that she started crying and I started crying. It was amazing. Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Chris were flying in at 8:45 so daddy went to pick them up from the airport. I made lots of phone calls while they were gone to tell everyone all about you. So many people were waiting for you and were so happy that you were here.

I suppose since you let me have a perfect delivery you then decided to be a little bit difficult. I interrupt the chronological version of this story to tell you about your eating difficulty. You weren’t latching on to eat. We tried and tried. All the nurses tried around the clock for 4 days. That was 12 nurses and there were 3 lactation consultants and a couple of pediatricians. They were worried that you were too sleepy and thought maybe you had an infection or jaundice so they tested you and everything came back normal. (NOTE: It is now Tuesday June 19th. It’s hard to find time to write this, but I swear that I will finish ☺) They said the reason that you weren’t able to latch on or take a bottle was because you had a “lack of coordinated effort”, a small mouth, a tongue that wouldn’t go down, and you were biting. We finally discovered this Supplemental Nursing System where we taped a little tube to my finger and I massaged the roof of your mouth so that you learned how to suck. After that you were finally able to take a bottle. I expressed some colostrum and we gave that to you in a syringe, but they weren’t going to let you go home until you ate either from the breast or the bottle. This was 4 days in the hospital and I was very frustrated and worried about you. They even threatened that they may have to give you a feeding tube. After this conversation I got very upset and called daddy crying about how we couldn’t get you to eat. Finally, on Friday morning you started taking a bottle successfully. We were very very relieved. After 24 hours of you taking a bottle we were able to take you home.

They second night in the hospital your daddy stayed with me and we took turns taking care of you. (NOTE: Now it is Friday, June 29. I swear I’ll finish this story eventually. I’m trying to do it before I forget everything) The nurses kept asking if I had had a C-Section because you had such a perfectly round head. Really, you do. It’s the most perfect round head, you didn’t have any of that goofy baby cone head that you see most of the time. A couple of nurses even commented that you looked like a cabbage patch doll. Everyone said you were beautiful and although we are not very objective your daddy and I agreed that you were absolutely, positively the most beautiful baby ever born.

On Thursday your daddy flew off to New Orleans to see your Uncle Jeff get married to your Aunt Natalie. We were so happy that you came in time for your daddy to see you born and spend some time with you before the wedding. I was still in the hospital so Grandma Vicki stayed the night with you and me on Thursday and Friday nights. Grandpa Chris stayed at our apartment and came to hang out with us during the day. They were both there for all the trials of trying to get you to eat. You had other visitors in the hospital as well. On Wednesday, the day you were born, our friends Ryan and Jordan Mosley came to see you. On Thursday my friend Erin Davenport came to visit. Of course, everyone agreed you were the best baby ever.

On Saturday Katie and Andrew arrived at the hospital, they had driven all night to spend the weekend with us. They are your Godparents, but we assured them it’s in name only and they will not be responsible for you should something happen to us. Soon after they got to the hospital we were finally given the green light to go home. Praise the Lord. Mommy got loaded up into a wheelchair with you and Grandpa Chris got the car. We carefully loaded you into the car and we were off. On the way home I just started laughing. I had all kinds of butterflies in my stomach and I just couldn’t believe that you and I were coming home together.

That Saturday You, Me, Grandma Vicki, Grandpa Chris, Katie, and Andrew hung out at the apartment. We watched TV, ate burritos, and I spent lots of time staring at you. On Sunday Grandpa Chris had to go home. Grandma Vicki dropped him off at the airport and then Andrew went to the airport later to pick up daddy. He missed you so much and was so happy to see you again. Uncle Jeff and Aunt Natalie had a beautiful wedding and can’t wait to meet you.

Hello again. It’s already February 5th, 2008 and I’m home taking a sick day from work to be with you. You have a cold and are feeling pretty miserable. You refuse to sleep unless mommy or daddy is holding you so we are both very tired. Daddy had to go to work and although I went yesterday, today I just wanted to stay home and be there for you. It is no fun to be sick and since you don’t know how to blow your poor little nose even, you are quite grumpy. At the moment you are playing on the floor but keep checking to make sure I’m nearby. Today if you can’t see me, you start crying. Newsflash: You just learned how to unzip zippers and you are currently in my purse. Wow, you learn so much every day. Let’s see what has happened since we left off.

You learned how to smile and laugh, those were both very fun developments. We spent your first Thanksgiving at our friends Ryan and Jordan Mosley’s house. Grandma Cheryl came and stayed with us that whole week. It was the first time you got to meet her and the two of you had lots of fun.

For your first Christmas we went to Grammie and Gramps’ house in Sunriver, OR. We had a great time with Uncle Cale and Aunt Rhandi there. You especially enjoyed eating all of the wrapping paper. Your Uncle Cale got your mommy a very funny Harry Potter blanket and we all laughed and laughed. You had a little cold over Christmas break too. You traveled like a champ though. Throughout the very long car ride you hardly made a peep.

After Christmas we drove up to Raymond and got to spend more time with Gramps, Grammie, Uncle Cale, Aunt Rhandi, Katie & Andrew, Ian & Sara, Jason & Raela and Teagan and little Presley Grace. You also met Preslie Kate and hung out with Kendall Anne. You also met Aida June, the other June Bug. It was soooo fun to see all the other babies. Presley Grace dominated you a little, she was crawling all over and had like 5 teeth.

A couple of weeks ago you started crawling and got one tooth at the same time. Your first crawl was more of a bear crawl/frog hop. You were on your hands and feet and then would squat down and hop both feet forward. You are also babbling quite a bit and saying Mama and Dada but not to us in particular, just in general.

For Memorial Day, mommy and daddy both had the day off and it was really warm and beautiful out so we drove down to San Jose to have dinner with Ryan and Jordan. After dinner we all went and played put-put golf. You loved carrying the club around but I was feeling nervous because of all the water features so we carried you most of the time. After golf we got ice cream. You tried some of daddy’s. At first you scrunched up your face and acted like it was yucky but then you opened your mouth really big wanting more.

Well, you have kept mommy very busy. It’s June 14th, 2008, Grammie’s birthday actually, and one year from when I first started writing this. You are taking a nap against your will. When I put you down you screamed and screamed but as you have been up since 6:00AM, it was definitely time for a little nap. You are such a big girl now. You didn’t have much patience for crawling and you always drug one of your legs behind you, I think because it was faster. In early February you started pulling yourself up to stand using the sofa in the living room. Then one day I saw you stand up ALL BY YOURSELF, without pulling up on anything. I was amazed.

We went to Grammie and Gramps’ condo in Sunriver for Easter and you took FOUR steps in a row. Well, after that you were on a roll. By 9 ½ months you were walking around. Now, you are a runner and man, are you fast. Mommy has a hard time catching you if you get a head start. Also, at Easter Uncle Cale and Aunt Rhandi played with you a lot and Aunt Rhandi took lots of very cute pictures of you!

We went back to Sunriver in May, just you and Mommy. We met up with Grammie and Gramps, but also Katie and Sara. Sara is pregnant and her baby is due in July. We cannot wait to meet your new friend. We don’t know if it will be a boy or a girl or what it’s name will be yet, but we are VERY excited. And speaking of new babies, mommy’s cousin Matt has a new baby boy, your new cousin Ryker. That means as of now you have; Tanner, Beau, Finley, Quincy, Diesel, and Ryker as your second cousins or maybe it’s first cousin once removed, I can never keep it straight.

You have six teeth now. Your two big teeth on top have the cutest little gap, I think you may be the next Lauren Hutton. You don’t know who she is probably but you can use the internet to look up pictures. You have two other teeth on top, one on each side of your two front teeth. And the two little chiclets on the bottom, were the first ones you got.

Your first birthday was last Friday. You had a great time. You were born on a Wednesday and normally your first birthday would have been on a Thursday but because this was a leap year an extra day was added and it was on Friday, so you are an old one year old. Hehe. Mommy and Daddy, Gramps and Grammie, and our friend Jill were at your party. Daddy made a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I’m sure we can show you the pictures, we took a ton, it was hilarious. We spread out a towel, gave you your cake on a plate, and watched you go to town. You weren’t really sure at first, but I think you liked it. Afterwards you were such a mess that Daddy had to give you a bath.

Grammie and Gramps bought you a really cool activity cube and a high chair for your birthday. Daddy and Mommy bought you two new pairs of shoes, clothes, and a xylophone, which you love. Gramps figured out how to play Happy Birthday on it, and did a tune just for you. Jill got you a book, The Grumpy Ladybug and a Ladybug puppet to go with it. You are a very lucky girl. Later, you had a party with Shauna and the girls and they gave you books. We got more books in the mail from Great-Grandma Linda. Grandma Cheryl called to wish you a very happy birthday and send a gift certificate to Toys-R-Us. Great Aunt Lori sent a bear named… Ruby. Everyone sent their love and said Happy Birthday to you.

The only part of your birthday that you didn’t like was the hats. Mommy specifically wanted everyone to wear party hats. But, when we put them on you cried and screamed. So, we tried to put one on you, and you cried and screamed. Finally, we all took off the hats. The next day Grammie had an idea. There is a drawer you are always opening and it’s breaking. So, Grammie took the party hats and put them right on top of the drawer. You have not opened it since. You go over there and look at it, turn to check that mommy is there and then run to her. I feel a little badly that they are scaring you, but it’s so funny.

Now it’s summer time. Mommy is done working and you have me all to yourself. We are going to have so much fun. You are still going to go to Shauna’s once a week. Partly because I don’t want you to get upset when I have to leave you again in the fall and partly because I want you to be able to see your friends and socialize and partly because I need some time to run errands and do chores or a little work at school or go to doctor’s appointments or whatever.

I think you are going to start talking soon. You babble a lot and seem to understand a lot of what we say to you. You have been practicing your sounds like mama, dada, baba, and now you know what you are talking about too. It’s so amazing to watch you learn so much each day. I feel incredibly lucky and blessed to have you for my little girl.