April 29, 2010

• Welcome to our planet, Dearest Juniper

  I headed up the hill on Saturday to be with my daughter while we await the arrival of her new daughter, Juniper.
  Her due date was Sunday. Babies come when they want to but all the signs were pointing to a timely delivery.

  
  My pathway to Joc and Daniel’s (and now Juniper’s) place

  Jocelyn and I hung out since her baby’ daddy had to go to work. She made us dinner Saturday eve. Joc is an exquisite cook. Always has been experimental in the kitchen.

  
  Glen Morey Country House
  
  I decided to stay close by at a bed and breakfast about three blocks from Joc and Daniel’s place.We are also about half a mile from the hospital. My choice was a good one. The b & b was wonderful and I will dedicate another entire blog to that.

  
  On top of the parking garage in downtown Placerville, my favorite parents in the world!
  
  Sunday we all walked to Placerville. Walking is good for inducing labor. We took our time. Daniel came with but left us to go to work. He works at one of the better restaurants in town as a cook.  Joc and I shopped a bit and visited with all her friends that we ran into as we wandered. We had lunch at a wonderful Mexican food place (Tortilla Flats). Our waitress, Tracy, told us that cilantro is suppose to help induce labor. Joc had the enchiladas with mole sauce heaped with cilantro!
  Finally we meandered back.

  
  Michael and Jocelyn taking a break in my room at the Glen Morey b&b

  My son called at this point and we all met up at the place I was staying to mingle and chat and rest. We still had three blocks more to walk home. No small task for a woman about to give birth!

    
  Jocelyn finished making this doll for her friend Livia’s brand new son Lian (her friends Becca and Livia both gave birth to sons a week before!)
  
  Monday was a day of preparation. Jocelyn had her regular doctors appointment. He felt she could go but maybe not as soon as we thought. Mom and baby are good and healthy. Joc and I both felt that Juniper was ready to go.

  I stayed later that eve and Joc was flying around for final preps as her contractions started to get stronger but not very regular. Daniel came home and I walked back to my place to get a little shut eye.

  They called me at 2:30am. I drove over to their place and followed them to the hospital.

  Once checked in, Daniel and I were ready to bring Joc’s suitcase and such in but the nurse told us to wait to make sure that they were going to let her stay. They checked her to see how everything was doing…

  “She’s a keeper” nurse Tracy told us. Daniel and I unpacked the car.

  They moved her to the best room for Junipers arrival. The time went by quickly. Doctor Jones arrived at around five am. Labor was getting closer together and intensifying.
  
  
  “I WANNA MEET BABY JUNIPER!!!” says Uncle to be Matt

  Daniel’s brother Matt showed up around 4:30am. I texted the other grandparents through out this. They were driving back to Placerville from Los Angeles. Grandpa John’s sister had just passed and they had driven down south for her funeral and memorial. They were anxious but Daniel and I kept them in the loop through out.

  My son and Daniel’s youngest brother Johnny finally showed around 7 ish. Sleepy heads!

  By this time Joc was in the jacuzzi. This birth suite had the big jacuzzi. This really relieved the intense labor pains she was enduring at this point. Joc was debating whether or not to take pain meds. Daniel and I supported her in what ever decision she made. Lets get this straight. Labor HURTS. A BUNCH. Joc had been up all night and had eaten little in prep. My darling girl was struggling and in a ton of pain.

    
  Breathe!!! Dr. Jones and Daniel. Believe me, Jocelyn did ALL the work!
  
  At one point she wanted some kind of meds and the nurse told her the doctor was on his way and he would take care of that for her once he got there. But, Jocelyn gave birth to darling Juniper on her own with no pain medication. She was wonderful and brave. At certain points she called out “I HATE this!” and we knew she did. My poor darling. She was brave and beautiful.

  
  
  When Juniper arrived both Daniel and I were in tears. It is one thing to birth your own babies but it is quite another to watch your daughter give birth to your grand daughter. I am crying as I type this.

             
  
  Juniper arrived at 8:15am on April 27th weighing in at 8lbs exactly. She has tons of brown hair, even on her back at this point. We call her our little werewolf baby (it WAS a full moon the next morning!). Her feet are huge and her fingers are so long! She resembles Jocelyn when she was born but has Daniels features as well (those ankles and long fingers for sure!).

   
  
  Daniel’s parents arrived at 10ish after their long drive. They were tickled pink to meet their darling new and first grand daughter.

     
  Juniper’s first car ride, Juniper is officially home. Terrapin, you are screwed…
  
  Jocelyn and Juniper went home on Wednesday around noon. Everything was organized and ready for her arrival. Mom and baby were so tired. What a long day they had. A long day and a long night. Time to settle in!

    
  Relax, we are home now…
  
  Daniel got the next couple of days off to their relief. Michael and Matt stopped by to bond with baby Juniper.

           
  Uncles in LOVE!

  I just got off the phone with Jocelyn. Juniper had her first Dr’s appointment today. She is doing great. A little jaundice so they will have another blood test tomorrow. She was up all night because she slept all day. I kind of figured that since she Jocelyn labored all night. Juniper is a night owl. Mom and baby are doing great. I miss them already. I will be back up this weekend.

  
  Juniper is here!!!
  

  • 5:27 pm
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