I will say right now, one week from the day I was in labor, that having a baby is the greatest experience of my life.

I am so so happy that Corinne is here.

We have had quite a week of adjustments! I just read through my blog, though, and realized I never finished my thought from last time I wrote, which was for two minutes yesterday.

I've got another handful of minutes (I think) and so I'll try to finish my thought.

So, later, I think it was 7 hours into the whole labor thing, they told me I was only about halfway there. Halfway. 7 hours is a long time. I go stir-crazy in a car trip at 7 hours, so you can imagine sitting in a hospital room with a window that faces a brick wall while experiencing constant pain - I was not happy to hear this news.

So, I took the nurse's advice, when she said sometimes an epidural will speed up the whole "process".

The anesthesiologist once again popped into the room.

I told him of my worries, and why I waited so long to call him in.

Me: "I really am still not 100% about getting this epidural...to be honest I'm a little afraid of being paralyzed. It's a needle in my spine. Seems risky."

Him: "Ohhhhhh no. Me no make mistake. I not make mistake and I work for years."

Me: (While wincing in pain) - (thought to myself, 'that sounds convincing! I'm in.')"OK. Great. Let's do this then."

Him: "OK- work first, paperwork later."

Me: "Great! Let's get started."

Him: (Within a minute or two of his set up) "OK- you will just feel a local anesthetic...." (I feel a small sharp pain in my back).

After a second passes....

"Oops."


Me: "What do you mean, Oops? What happened?"

Him: "Um...you have small spine. Small spine, that's all. We try again."

Me: (Thinking - Try again? What is happening? Am I paralyzed? - I move my legs - OK- not paralyzed yet - OH my God this hurts -) "Yep good idea let's try again."

Him: Um....I try again now.

This took three or four different pokes and finally we were in business. This was one of the scariest moments of my life. It really says something about being in labor when you place a risk of being paralyzed for life just to have it all be over soon! My goodness.

I'm really very happy to say I can still walk today. But, I will honestly say, that felt like a close one.

I was so happy when she was born, though, I thanked him a million times over. I thanked everyone. And I cried. And other things happened during the labor but I'm not going to gross anyone out. I just wanted to give one little anecdote, and the rest, well, just happened. And it worked out. And I'm glad.

After all that, though, there was a curious incident of the Dalbos giving birth at the same time as the Galbos.

This was a slight mess.

They ate our breakfast. I was starving and exhausted and I ordered french toast and I was looking forward to it so much and then after 45 minutes of waiting a nurse popped in and said, "I'm sorry. Unfortunately the Dalbos gave birth the same time as you Galbos and they ate your breakfast."

I shall now revert to our dialogue -
Steve - "WHAT? What kind of people eat random breakfasts that pop into their room? We ordered so specifically! They didn't order at all! This is ridiculous."

Me - "You mean this means we are not getting our food yet?"

This sort of mayhem went on for a few minutes until we realized that we would be getting our food very soon - but we would just have to re-order.

Ridiculous.

30 minutes later we ate, and we slept. For a little while, anyway.

That's about all I'm going to say about the hospital. Just a few little clips of memories.

And now we are home. And now we have Corinne. She's sleeping right now, and that's why I have a minute to write this down.

She makes me the happiest person in the world. I'm pretty sure I could say the same about Steve.

So take that, crazy anesthesiologist and the Dalbos and anyone else who tried to throw us off: we're doing just pretty all right, I think ;)

Our daughter Corinne was born on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 4:28 a.m.

She weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and she is 21 inches long.

She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

Steve and I both cried for 45 minutes after she was born because we were so overwhelmed with love for her.

I won't go into any gory details of the labor, but I will say a few things:

-It was the longest 16 hours of my life, but it was so so worth it and I would do it again in less than a heartbeat. I would do anything for her.

-The whole memory of those 16 hours are pretty blurry, but there are some interesting events that occured during our hospital stay, that I will say!

For example. May I introduce you to: the anesthesiologist.

I have no idea what that guy's name was, but he popped in the room after I was in labor for about an hour. At that point, I had no plans on using his services, and he looked like he had just put on his scrubs and hopped off a bike or something...if that makes any sense. But Steve agrees- that is exactly how he seemed.

He had a very thick Asian accent. This was his greeting to us:

Doctor/Anesthesiologist: "Hello. Why are you here?"

Me/Steve (Both looking at each other reading each other's minds thinking - we're in the labor ward, in what is actually called a "Birth Room", in a hospital, I am obviously 9 months pregnant, am laying down with an IV in me....ok...we look back at him).

Steve or I (Someone said it. I don't know who.): We are going to have a baby. We're...in labor.

Anesthesiologist: "No. Why are you here?"

I had no drugs yet. Steve definitely had no drugs. I had nothing else to say. "My water broke?"

Anesthesiologist: "OK, bye."

I turned to Steve and stated I did not think I would be having an epidural today.

That changed, of course....but it was interesting when he came back!

TO be continued...I've got things to do!

I am over the moon with happiness.

My next Doctor's appointment is tomorrow-- there is about a week and a half left until my due date. Steve and I want to meet babe so badly!

The room is done done done :)

My house is ready ready ready.

My heart is ready, too.

I asked Steve if he would write an entry in my blog, and he said he will. So we will hear from him soon.

He just ordered a new phone - we are going to stick to one data plan, and he's going to have it now. I'm taking his old phone. We are still trying to save money, but as long as we're set to pay for a data plan at the cell phone company, we figure we might as well have a better camera on it to keep our family posted ;) Plus he was eligible for an upgrade and has wanted an iphone for his entire life and I really really really don't mind going back to a cell phone that just makes phone calls. In fact, I'm kind of excited about it.

I'm starting to find myself slowing down a bit. Tomorrow we're having dinner with Steve's mom, Kathy...and we might hang out with our long lost friends Brandon and Carley on Wednesday - but other than that, we are laying low.

I am just happy waiting for babe. Did I mention we are excited?

Anyway - I will post the pics very, very soon.

Hope all is well with you all!!

I am so so happy for today!!!!!!


It really IS the Sweetest Day!

Steve and Vin have FINISHED the room!!!

We are going out to breakfast this morning to get a bagel at Panera, and then we're off to deliver some surprises to some very kind people who have helped us along the way with the room!!

THEN we are coming back home and loading up the finished room with the rest of babe's things!!!

THEN I'm taking pictures and showing everyone how beautiful it looks, because they did an absolutely beautiful job!

I can't wait for babe to be here and to enjoy the best room of this house! :)

Like I said before....nothin' but the best for babe!!!

I am so so happy about today. Breakfast, presents for others, and of course, BABE'S ROOM IS DONE!!!

It is the sweetest day ever. :) :) :) :) :)

Today is Steve and my anniversary.

He had to work until almost 9 pm tonight, but when he came home he had flowers and a beautiful card in his hands, just for me!

I had a card for him, too.

We knew we wouldn't see each other today, but it was nice to see him when he got home.

When I got out of work today, I read more of my book, and then I went over to Mary's house so the dogs could play together.

It wasn't a bad Monday...and it is so fun to think that Steve and I have been married for two whole years.

Now, I'm very sleepy, but I wanted to write something before I got ready for bed.

The dog is exhausted and sleeping next to me. The cat is prowling outside.

Steve finished painting the dresser for the babe's room, and he has been cooking our vegetables. Steve cooks to relax. I love hearing him cook, especially because he usually hums or whistles while he does.

Every day has been very busy, especially with preparing for the baby. This week will be no different - tomorrow we've got to put the furniture in the room (hooray!) and Steve's going to measure the windows for new shades and make sure the edging of the paint is just right.

Wednesday, if it's not done already, Steve wants to fix the register in the room and finish putting up the baseboards.

Then we might really be done - and the only thing left will be when my parents come up Saturday with a few items they have at their house, like the swing.

Thursday is my next doctor's appointment, and Friday I'm officially 38 weeks pregnant.

I feel like I just found out I was pregnant a couple of days ago....

About a year ago today we were going to the Syracuse area for our friends Evan and Christine's wedding.

We also heard the news about the birth of Laya, my friend Andi's daughter, and Surahya, brother Jon and Sister in law Sindhu's daughter.

Now, a year later, we are celebrating their first birthdays, and Surahya is getting baptized! Time goes by pretty fast.

Today we are getting our own car seat installed in our car at a local fire department, for our own baby. We couldn't be more excited.

And then we celebrate those little birthdays!!

And on Monday is our two year wedding anniversary. That is so surreal.

We already went out to dinner for our anniversary, so Monday will be very low-key. Steve has class after work and won't be home until late, so really not much will be going on. But Happy Anniversary, Babe! You are the greatest. :)

This week will be pretty busy putting FINISHING TOUCHES on the room! I can't believe we are finally at finishing touches!!!

Thursday is my next doctor's appointment. I can't believe I'm at weekly doctor's appointments!!

So, I am just very much so looking forward to the events of this weekend and this week.

I tell Steve I really don't want anything more, I feel like I have the whole world. I am so happy to be with him, and to have our family, and to have our friends and it just makes me feel very rich.

Speaking of friends, it looks like it's going to be a very happening wedding season of 2012!! I am getting pumped about this.

It will certainly be an excuse to start working off this babe weight, as soon as I can start to work it off, anyway.

I wonder if sleepless nights will help with working of baby weight? Who knows. Maybe it just contributes to a zombie-like persona. We'll see ;) I'll do anything for babe, so if it means sleepless nights, I'm in.

I finished the first draft of my novel! I just wanted to say that. Steve said he'll look over it, that's good because he makes for a good editor. He is far more detail-oriented than myself, I am a big picture person and I come up with a lot of ideas, but he is good at pin-pointing where I could get more in depth with characters or where I can expand on those ideas.

I am just feeling very happy right now. The start of the week, not so much, I had an ear infection (which is almost gone) and I was kind of down about a few things, but right now, I am feeling happy and excited about life. I am so happy for my friends, and for how our family is growing, and thankful for everything we have.

I think that's about all. I just wanted to say this. Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather and is feeling at least a little bit happy, too.

Right now I am listening to Ben Folds and sitting on the couch, probably going to go to bed pretty soon.

So many things have happened recently. I just wanted to talk about them really quickly.

Vinnie and Erica got engaged a couple of weeks ago!! They are going to get married August 31 of next year at Becker Farms. We are so excited for them!

Another thing that happened is the room is ALMOST done. Just a few finishing touches. And by that I mean just a floor needs to be put in. No big deal.

Some other things happened, too.

My husband lost someone very important in his life, his grandfather. He was a great man. He died on Monday. He had a battle with ALS. His whole life he was doing something for someone else. He used to visit prisoners and keep them company, he helped to create a summer camp for kids, he was always giving and always very humble about it all. Grandpa John will be missed. Very much so. His memorial is October 22.

Yesterday, someone else died. Steve Jobs. I found out he and I shared a birthday - February 24. My brother Andy has that birthday, too. He seemed like a really good person - and he really showed how the world can benefit from a little creativity and some drive, combined, like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Not bad. I think a lot of people have been struck by his death - and maybe he has inspired many to be a little creative, and a little driven, too, along the way.

I know today is a very random blog, but, I just wanted to say these things.

I have decided I don't think I need anything. I don't think I want anything. I am just looking forward to the baby being born, and being a family together. Well, I guess, the room getting done in the next couple of days would be nice...but...it's ok. Whatever will be will be.

Oh, one more thing - this weekend I am looking forward to seeing some friends and family I have not seen in a while. I'm really looking forward to it.

I know, I know, this was all over the place. But I think it's ok to be all over the place. So...that's about it for now.

I have a few random thoughts before I go to bed tonight.

My back hurts.

It's a little tough to breathe.

I'm very tired.

I'm so so so happy.

I just can't wait to meet our baby.

I'm so glad it is October.

Also, I think it is better to clean the kitchen at night before bed rather than any other time.

That one I know is super random but I really feel it in my bones.

All right I'm going now.

Night.

I just wanted to write a quick update today, because I haven't written in about a week.

In that time, two people who have been pregnant, but just a few weeks ahead of me, have had their babies!! Congrats to Alyssa and Kathy, on their little boy and little girl (respectively) :) So happy for you guys!

In that time, also, I have written all thank you notes! There are only about five not sent - if you don't have one, you may be one of the five, and investigative measures have been taken to locate your coordinance and secure point of contact (find your address, write it down, and send the card - I just thought it sounded more official and spy- like that other way).

The house is lookin' good. Our room is set up for when the baby comes (there is a bassinet by the bed, stuffed animals in the room, clothes and diapers are ready for action).

The play room is cleaned out and the few toys we've got are in.

My lovely friend Holly made a beautiful baby book for us and I started adding to it today -- ultra sound pictures, pretty cards from the baby shower, and the invitations and an example of a thank you card made it in, to start.

My belly is now the size of Novia Scotia, so forget the hoarding, make way for Mrs. Baby Beluga over here, I take up about five seats on the couch and can barely fit through doorways ;) I am 36 weeks pregnant, I can't believe it!

I do have a random ear infection. After talking with the doctor, I found that an antibiotic is the best way, but they found one that shouldn't be bad for babe (which is top priority). They didn't want it to spread and not have medicine for me either, so I think this is for the best to take the antibiotic. I'm just adding it to my pile of humungus pills I take each day. It's very exciting to take extra large pills when your tonsils are (and always have been) the size of polar bears. Each day I take a prenatal vitamin (the size of a two-story house, roughly); a fish-oil supplement (we saved up and got the more expensive kind to try and avoid heavy metals and mercury) (this one is about the size of a pony at a rich kid's birthday party) and of course now the antibiotic I'm taking 4 times daily for a week is about the size of my head. So, to swallow something that is roughly the size of my head without chewing it is a difficult task but I'm doing just fine, thank you very much.

Here is a free sample of my conversation with a nurse.

"The doctor said I have an ear infection, and to call within a few days if it didn't clear up."

"OK- let me look at your chart- oh yes. I see. Now. Are you allergic to pennecilin?"

"Yes."

--She puts me on hold --

"We've decided to put you on a medicine with penecillin anyway. If you have a reaction, just take some benedryl."

"Um....ok. Thanks."

Now. I'm assuming this is because this is the safest for babe. But - why did she even ask if I was allergic? That is my beef. The best part is I've had no allergic reaction. So that's pretty fun. Anyway - medicine. Who needs it, right?

So, anyway - ear infection and gigundo pills aside, all is pretty much ok.

What else has happened, you might be asking yourself? I mean, it has been a few days.

Well, my boss made a big huge prediction chart at work where people guess the time, day, and boy/girl for babe. They also suggest names. This chart is totally going in the baby book. It's super cool and awesome.

This week is turning out to be another busy one, as I look upon the calendar. First thing I notice: It's October! Holy Wow.

Second thing I notice. The room - Steve and his brother are working furiously on it as I type. In fact, it is SUPPOSEDLY supposed to have big big changes by the end of tomorrow night.

I'm going to have dinner with Mary, my sister in law, to celebrate her birthday, and when I come back, I am hoping there is some more change. That would be a miracle.

Still no pictures, I don't want to post pictures until that room is painted and the floors are in.

If the room gets finished this week, I will be the happiest lady. Ever. I'll let you know.

Then, this weekend is the first birthday party(ies) for two little girls born on the same day last year, and one of those little girls will just so happen to be my God Daughter who will have her baptism Sunday. So excited for them!!

SO - it should be another busy week.

Hope you all are have good weeks, whether they are busy or not. Hopefully the next time I write I will have pictures of the room - because that will mean it is DONE!

OK- I'm done - gotta go!