Lyla arrived!!!

[LysetteOlmeda]

Hello everyone! Lyla Alyse was born this morning weighing 6lbs 3oz! She's beautiful with big cheeks and lots of hair (Im posting pics). She had her surgery just a few hours after... her doctor said she did great the whole procedure and as of right now no water is collecting on the brain but of course only time will tell with that. They said her calf muscles are weaked but she should be able to walk with braces... her poor lil feet are definately clubbed :( Im sure it only looks bad. We havent been able to hold her yet but they said by tomorrow morning we can. Me and daddy are so excited but also so worried... Its sad seeing your little one like that. I tried to get him to open up about his feelings but its difficult... I did explain to him not to be scared we NEED to hold her and she needs our voices and touch. So we will see how tomorrow goes when we get her in our arms. For now hopefully we will get some sleep so we can spend alot of time with our princess. Ill be updating when I can and Im posting pics now.

[Jwm]

Yay Congrats!!

[bcain]

It is a tough time. I remember being so exhausted, and unable to sleep at the same time. Being at bedside was tiring, but that's where I was most of the day and night. I couldn't wait to be home, but it was still hard at home with no nurses. So except help whenever it's offered, let them have a task or make a meal. Again, congrats!

[Dodger67]

Hello Layla
Welcome!!!!! :happy065: :Banane21: :26aa: :sign0008: :peace: :sign0021: :dance2: :clap2: :bluesbrothers:

[Nettie]

Congrats!!! And welcome to the world, little Lyla!!! She is absolutely gorgeous. Love her hair...just beautiful. Good luck with her and your recovery, I hope she'll be home soon.

[smoop]

This truly is a difficult time. To be quite honest, the NICU experience was the hardest part of my journey. The first couple of times I visited Analise in the NICU I just didn't feel like she was my baby. Here she was being cared for by a bunch of nurses and doctors, not me. I remember the NICU nurse coming over to me and telling me to get in there and give her some "mama juice" (love, that is). She actually took a picture of me as I leaned into the bassinet with tears rolling down my face. That's all it took for me to feel like she really belonged to me. After that I pretty much took over-- changing her diapers, adjusting her incubator, and simply taking charge (to some degree).

My daughter was in the NICU for only 2 weeks but let me tell you, it seemed like an eternity. I can't even fathom how the mothers of those preemie babies must have felt with their little ones in the NICU for months! Hang in there.. your baby will soon be home where she belongs.

By the way, congratulations!!

[angel]

Welcome to the world Lyla!!! I know this is difficult for you but you will get through it. I am sure she is BEAUTIFUL, I can't wait to see some pictures:)
I am sure your husband will melt like butter, my husband is the same way a lot of the times. He doesn't express his feelings as openly as I do.

Smoop- I know exactly what you mean. When my son was born he was taken to the childrens hospital in a different state the next morning. I couldn't be awake for the delivery, because of my SB I had general anesthia and they kept me druged up for 3 days. They brought him into my room and layed him beside me but I have no memory of it just a picture (not sure if i posted it here if not i will in a minute) By the time I realized I had given birth he was gone. The day I got out of the hospital my mom drove me the 2 hours to the childrens hospital where he was in the NICU. The doctors told me not to go but NOTHING could keep me from going to his side. When I got there I couldn't even pick out my own baby. That was a sad feeling but when I finally got to hold him that all went away, he was mine and the bond was instant. The hardest thing in the world was leaving him there but on the flip side of that the day we brought him home was the happiest of my life.

[LysetteOlmeda]

Thanks everyone! Smoop and Angel thanks for your experiences! Cause I feel horrible that I dont feel connected to her :( I keep seeing this precious baby but she doesnt feel like mine! But as soon as they take out her breathing tube and Im able to hold her I hope that will all change! And Im planning on breastfeeding so I really hope to bond with her! Shes having test done today so I will update when I know more... fingers crossed everything is gonna keep looking positive.

[XoBLoNDiE85]

Congratulations!! Yea Id have to say that this is a pretty hard time that you are having to go thru right now...but it will pass soon and it will all begin to feel normal again! Hannah was in the NICU for 6 days and that seemed soooooo long to us! And Smoop is right just jump in a try to help the nurses take care of her. you will feel better and the nurses like it (they take notes of what you do and this is a plus, my mom is a nurse) Hope things go smoothly and looking forward to your updates =)

[Jill]

Congratulations!!!

I completely agree with everyone else - the time in hospital was so bizarre and emotional. Having had 2 children previously, I couldn't wrap my head around not being able to hold him or nurse him or keep him with me. It was so weird having nurses tell me how/when I could 'mother' him. Doesn't make you feel good. But hold on, it really is such a short time in the grand scheme of things. You'll be snuggling her and taking her home before you know it! Kingsley is only a month old now and some days I WISH I had a nurse to call to change his diaper for me :p

And daddy's and mommy's seem to deal with new babies in different ways. Give him time, he'll be all over her soon enough, in his own time. You just do what you need to do for you.

[sean]

Congratulations! Welcome to the world Lyla Alyse! Beautiful name.

[LysetteOlmeda]

Well I finally got to hold her... and feed her! Its becoming more amazing every minute :) All the tests have been coming back good! Hopefully I can start breastfeeding soon... more updates as they come

[Lifeisgood]

That must have been one of the best moments! Congratulations!

[Jill]

so awesome! :)

[Amnada]

Congrats and Welcome Lyla!

I felt the same thing, when Nickolas was born I wasn't allowed to visit him for a week (I had H1N1)! I felt so disconnected from him, like he was here, but he wasn't mine.

When I finally got to hold him and visit and stay, then it clicked.
I even have a picture frame that says 'When they placed you in my arms, you slipped into my heart'. They picture is of me first holding him when he was a week old.

I think all the stress and worrying about how our children will be takes a toll.

Congrats! and enjoy!!!

[LysetteOlmeda]

I got that same picture frame! :) Its so true! Im totally in love everytime I get to hold her I feel more mommy like... She's such a good baby not very fussy and all of the doctors just keep telling me how good she's doing... Im finally just beaming with hope I cant stop smiling. It was tough in the beginning but now Im feeling very relieved! I wouldnt trade these moments for anything. The best decision I ever made was keeping my precious baby!

[LisaJoy]

Lyla is spectacular! Thanks for sharing her with us -- we'll be looking forward to updates (whenever you can :)).

[LysetteOlmeda]

I just put up pics of Lyla's incision :( check them out

[Nettie]

O my gosh, that looks terrifyingly huge and sore!!! Poor poor baby...:kleenex:

On the upside...she's so wide awake and absolutely beautiful! And you already got to hold her! That's fantastic. My daughter was born with water on the lungs, and spent 9 days in NICU (no spina bifida). I only got to hold and feed her after 5 days. It was so hard, seeing her struggle for every breath, to stay alive. I've never felt so helpless in my whole life. It's such a traumatic experience, to have a baby in NICU. I can only imagine how difficult your baby's surgery must've been for you, and how it must tug on your heart to see that huge incision. Good luck, I'm glad the doctors are so happy with her progress and test results!

[LysetteOlmeda]

Thanks so much Nettie! It has been hard, but seeing her finally awake and doing so well has me less worried and anxious :) im getting discharged now so its a bitter sweet moment... but Ill be back to visit with my munchkin very soon!!

[Lifeisgood]

Oh that must have been so hard and scary to see, but I agree with Nettie! She looks beautiful and very peaceful both when she is awake and sleeping! They seem to be taking very good care of her!

Enjoy each and every moment with her!