It's a GIRL!!!!

We're excited to announce that Vivian Ashley Tabayoyong was born on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 3:49am weighing 6lbs 7oz and was 19 3/4 inches long.  She's absolutely gorgeous and Audrey's mini-me.  In fact, Bill's mom showed Audrey a picture of Vivian on her phone that Bill had texted her from the hospital and Audrey said "She looks like me!"  We are madly in love already and snuggle with her all day long.

It was quite the ride to get to where we are today.  I was scheduled to be admitted to the hospital at midnight on June 3 so Bill and I had dinner with his parents, who had come in for the week to babysit Audrey (and meet the baby, of course!), and Audrey at Cheesecake Factory and then went to the late showing of Avengers.  We figured we had some time to kill and wouldn't be getting to the movies any time soon after the baby was born.  At the hospital, things weren't progressing very quickly so we were able to watch The Help and Transformers 3.  I can't tell you when the last time I watched a movie was, let alone three in 24 hours!  Luckily my contractions really kicked in right when Transformers was ending around midnight on the 3rd and Vivian was born just a few hours later.  I was absolutely sure I was having a boy so I was slightly in shock when they said it was a girl.  I think I just kept repeating "I can't believe it's a girl."  I love the name we chose though so I'm thrilled we get to use it!

After Vivian was born, things got a little crazy.  My blood pressure was rising and they didn't want me to develop HELLP syndrome again like I did after Audrey (take a moment to Google HELLP....it's really scary stuff) so I had to be put on a 24 hour magnesium drip to limit the chances of having a seizure.  Magnesium really takes it out of you but luckily, I had mild side effects unlike when I was treated with Audrey.  Having Bill by my side to help with Vivian was priceless.  To say he stepped up is a massive understatement.  He basically ran the show for the first few days while I was a mere spectator.  After the magnesium was done, we were moved to the mother and baby unit in the very early hours on June 5th where we stayed until we were discharged on Wednesday the 6th.  Audrey and Bill's parents were finally able to come to the hospital and meet Vivian after we were moved.  Audrey did well with Vivian, being just interested enough.  :)

Once we got home, we probably should have just relaxed but instead we went out and about.  Eating out, shopping, playing in the yard.  Vivian is such an easy baby (or maybe it's because we've done this once before) that it was just too hard to just sit at home.  At first, she was proving to be quite the spitty baby - more so than Audrey was for those of you who know about her fond love of bibs! - but after meeting with a lactation consultant, things drastically improved.  Had I met with this consultant when I had Audrey, our experience may have been totally different and probably would have prevented multiple doctor's appointments and worrying!  Anyway, we even got to introduce Vivian to all of our neighbors during a Friday night block party.  She was quite the hit.

Unfortunately, that same night, my blood pressure rose to 203/129 and I went to the hosptial at 12:30am.  I had to be given IV medication and it took hours for the doctors to get my BP under control.  They decided to switch some of my meds and I was home by 9:00am - just in time for my dad to arrive to meet Viv.  We're still monitoring and adjusting my meds but we seem to have finally found the right combo.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Now - day 11 of life - things are great.  We're still out and about but trying to sneak in some naps and rest more.  Bill has had the last 2 weeks off from work so I'm dreading Monday when I won't have my sidekick anymore.  It's been SO nice having him home.  I'm off on maternity leave for another 8 weeks and he took off another week of vacation towards the end of my leave.  We're thinking of taking a short getaway with the girls to just relax.  The other day we really wanted to go to the pool but didn't think it was the best idea with such a little one so Bill bought a bag of waterguns instead.  I can't tell you how fun it's been to run around the backyard with Audrey and hearing her laugh and scream.  Our neighbors even joined in the fun!  I'm so glad it's summer and that we'll be able to enjoy the weather.  It's been a great start to a great new adventure!