Mom and Dad lounge in bed and relax on a Saturday morning. It is seasonally warm in Golden, Colorado with plenty of wind and sun. Snow falling in the mountains; they make plans to go snowshoeing.
Mom experiences warm-up contractions on and off during the previous week. Her contractions return around 8:00 AM and quickly build in intensity and frequency. Mom and Dad labor at home until 1:30. Mom has seven contractions in the car and one more against a tree at the front door of the hospital. Ouch!
Mom draws inside herself to work through the longest and strongest contractions of transition. Dad rubs her back with counterpressure, keeps her hydrated, and assists Mom's breathing. She is pure toughness and focus!
After nearly five hours of pushing (in seven different positions), the Little Bugger does not want to budge an inch. At this point, Mom and Dad decide that an unplanned c-section is best for the health and safety of the baby.
Dad gets to be at Mom's side during the surgery. A few minutes pass, then a wail! Dad looks behind the curtain, and is a bit surprised. "It's Neiva, Jenean! It's Neiva!"
Neiva quickly turns from purple to pink. Dad finds the whole scene quite surreal! She is cleaned off and scores an 8 and 9 on her Apgar. Soon she is in Mom's arms, skin to skin. Then Dad gets to hold her by Mom's side. Neiva is completely calm and alert, her big bright eyes immediately melting Mom and Dad's heart.
The official line: Neiva Wild O'Brien is born at 10:45 PM on Saturday January 11. She weighs 7 pounds 7.4 ounces and measures 19 1/4 inches. And the winner of the Little Bugger Sweepstakes is...Grandpa Jim!
Neiva means "Radiant" in Gaelic and "Snow" in Latin - peace, light, and beauty. Mom and Dad hope that Neiva's life is filled with the freedom and adventure of the Wild. She is loved to the moon and back.
We call Neiva's grandparents in the early hours of the morning to tell them the good news!
Sunday, January 12
Mom is a little sore from surgery but overall feeling better than expected. A new baby in your arms is the best medicine.
Both of our amazing labor nurses Gina and Jeannie stop by to see little Neiva and say how impressed they were by Mom's effort and Dad's support during labor. "It is just not right to work so hard for so long and then end up with a c section," they say. But all is well that ends well.
Mom and Dad lounge and nap and snack throughout the day; Neiva does the same. We call Aunt Lisa and Uncle Eric and Uncle Sam to tell them the news! Neiva's cousins are thrilled.
Dad just looks and looks and looks at Sweet Neiva Wild with a big smile on his face: "Where did you come from Little One? Where did you come from? ...I have no idea, but you are here with us now!"
Jaime is the first to come visit the family in the hospital.
Dad starts explaining the world to Neiva, covering the family tree, the earth, and the night sky.
Monday January 13
Mom's co-workers from both her Labs come to visit Neiva in the hospital and are absolutely fascinated by her cuteness.
Dad loves ordering off the free hospital menu, the best being the Meatlover's Omelet and Roasted Colorado Potatoes. We love to eat in this family.
Neiva is a true citizen of science (Mom is so proud); she participates in a number of research studies.
Mom and Jaime take Neiva for a walk through the hospital. Dad tries to sleep but instead just misses his little girl.
Neiva meets her buddy Mason (who decides to snatch her hat) when Scott and Rhonda come to visit.
Dad loves to soothe Neiva with song. His hits include Baby Beluga (Baby Neiva), Bright Morning Stars, This Pretty Planet, and a suite of Mason Jennings. He really likes to listen to Be Here Now and Better Together.
Tuesday, January 14
Today is the Little Bugger's Due Date.
Heide and Kristin from Mom's Lab stop by to visit.
Dad and Neiva log their first skin to skin time. Neiva is so relaxed that she blows out her pants! Mom laughs so hard it hurts!
Mom manages her post-op pain swimmingly with only ibuprofen and acetaminophen, much to everyone's surprise (of course Dad already knows how tough Mom is).
Clouds move in and big beautiful snowflakes fall from the sky. Dad is excited to tell Neiva all about winter as they gaze out the window.
The family leaves the hospital after dinner. At first, Neiva tells Mom and Dad that she is not at all thrilled by her car seat. It turns out, though, that car riding immediately brings her sleep.
Wednesday, January 15
Neiva and Dad sprawl out on the living room floor during the dawn hours. Dad loves to listen to Neiva's breathing. Her first camp outing!
It is 45 degress and sunny in Golden, but still storming in the mountains.
Neiva is a big sensation on Facebook as Mom posts introductory posts. Much love from our family and friends all around the country.
Neiva little fingers clasp while feeding. Neiva and Mom are naturals! Dad helps by providing water, orange slices, and back rubs while keeping Neiva awake (bicycling legs, tickling the soles of her feet and thighs).
Mom starts making a lot of milk for Neiva, and takes to ice and pumping. We will never look at that bag of frozen peppers the same!
Accordingly, Dad walks down to Target to pick up some ice packs. He misses Neiva Wild so much!
Neiva and Dad video chat with Grandma and Grandpa A; Neiva shows off her big bright eyes.
Neiva is stunning! And not only her parents say so.
Neiva mystically moves her hands as she creates alternate universes. At other times she gives Mom and Dad the One-Eyed Wild look.
Thursday, January 16
After some time kangaroo napping in reverie, Dad becomes aware that Neiva's breathing exactly compliments his. When his chest expands with in breath, her tummy contracts with out breath. When her chest expands with in breath, Dad's tummy contracts with out breath.
Neiva gets outside in the sunlight for the first time. It is too bright to open her eyes.
Mom, Dad and Neiva visit Dr. Francine for the first check up and pass with flying colors, now gaining weight again.
Dad learns that a little fresh air on Neiva's bottom while changing diapers can lead to explosive results.
Dad makes Mom homemade chili and bread for dinner.
Neiva sports her fancy Rumparoos for the first time and is looking even cuter. (How is that even possible?)
The family Skypes with Grandma and Grandpa O for the first time, with Neiva completely zonked out.
Neiva turns five days old at 10:45 in the evening. Mom and Dad feel like they have known her for much much longer.
Mom and Dad tag team night duties to feed, diaper and calm Neiva, who has a harder time falling to sleep in the evening than during the morning. After a mid-night feeding, Neiva is out cold quicker than an Alberta clipper.
Neiva continues to sleep 3-4 hours between night feedings. She would surely sleep longer if Dad did not fade out her dreams by unwrapping her from the warmth of her cocoon.
Friday, January 17
Neiva sleeps next to Dad in her bassinet, the same bassinet that Mom and Grandma O slept in when they were babies. Dad likes to be able to rock and shush Neiva from bed, and to hear her breathing.
Dad cannot sleep. He would much rather watch and listen to his little girl dozing next to him. It is like a pre-dawn Christmas morning over and over again. They camp out on the floor in the morning again.
Mom tells Neiva about alveoli while breastfeeding. This leads somehow to an overview of androgyny, which becomes a talk about the silliness of societal gender norms. Duck pajamas are equally acceptable for either a little boy or a little girl, she says.
Reverend Eric stops by with a bag full of repurposed flannel wipes sewn with care by Jessa and Eli. They feel so smooth on baby's little bottom.
All agree that Neiva's full on fiery cry is completely endearing: Mahhhhhh! Meh!! Meh!! Meh!! Mahhhhh! So far the longest spell crying spell has been about 10 minutes. Beyond Liquid Gold and a fresh diaper, the Milk Shake and the Side Lying Jiggle are most effective.
Dad tells Neiva tales of adventure from his travel journal. They also discuss sledding.
Neiva discovers the mirror next to the changing table and is fascinated by the little person she sees over there.
Mom and Dad doze together in the afternoon sun on the living room floor while Neiva naps.
Kris and Melissa bring a meal over for Mom and Dad. Neiva's charm makes them all the more excited for their baby in April. They give Neiva the most amazing snowflake sweater pants.
The first washing of cloth diapers exceeds expectations; Our fancy new washing machine performs like a champ! And it sings.
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