Hospital Time

Hi all,
Mama Maio here. Thanks to everyone for the incredibly generous thoughts, calls, texts, postings, etc. I know we'll be able to talk to everyone soon but I had to take a sec and thank you all!

Now, for those who are NOT interested in further labor & delivery details, save yourself some time and skip down to the pics. For those who are, here is a little more of the story.

I knew when I woke up last Saturday that it was going to be labor day. Don't ask how. However my delightful friend Kathleen was planning to come up from Chicago for the morning and then I was going to Matt's baseball game that afternoon, so I decided to stick to the plan and just see how things went. Kathleen and I feasted on quiche and crepes and then spent a little quality time at the spa, and later I played hydration specialist to the Orioles by arriving at the game with enough Gatorade to keep a small army going. This whole time I was experiencing serious back cramps and occasional contractions, but I refrained from calling my doc because I knew they'd order me into the hospital and I had other things to do. But by 4:30 I was really hurting so told him I was a little tired and going home early. Only then did I call the doc who of course said to go in. I called Matt to make sure he was coming straight home but he didn't answer right away, so I called my mom to advise her to get on the road. While talking with her, my water broke and sent my contractions from occasional to HELLO. Matt got home just a few minutes later to find me in the classic 'frozen' position in the middle of a contraction. I wish I had had a camera. We grabbed our bags and hit the road, checking in around 6 p.m. Saturday evening. At that point I was 2 cm and 85% effaced. The nurse asked me if I had brought my birth plan and I told her that my birth plan was "epidural". That lovely lady made my birth plan a reality at about 8:15 and by 8:30 I was happy as a clam...even snoozing a bit. Imagine my surprise at about 10:30 when she checked me and said "Ok, you're 10, let's get ready". All righty then.

As I mentally prepared my acceptance speech for posting the land speed record for a first time labor, the doc came in and announced that Genevieve was face up and that would require some "serious work" on my part. Hey, no prob. I do Pilates.

Two and a half hours later she came in and told us that not only was baby sunny side-up but she was also turning her head, making it essentially impossible to deliver her. Our choices were vacuum to try to flip her around, or c-section. At this point the epidural had worn off so while neither sounded appealing we figured we'd give the vacuum a go and try to avoid surgery. One busted vacuum later it was clear that c-section was the only choice. DAMN. My hero the anesthesiologist arrived to re-pump up the goods and off we went. Fast forward to 2:59 a.m. and Genevieve finally made her debut.

My words of wisdom to anyone thinking of getting pregnant or about to have a baby: the anesthesiologist is your friend; and eat something before you go in. Ice chips only go so far.

Anyhoo everyone is doing very well and healing as quickly as possible. We can't wait to introduce our little thing to everyone. Can you believe my pasty self has a child with this gorgeous dark skin??

Meanwhile here are a few more pics of the proud grandparents.

Grandpa Peter getting his first look


Grandma Martin and the wee bundle


Three generations of Maios

Lots more pics to come in the next few days!!

Je m'appelle Genevieve

Hi everyone. Please help us welcome into the world little Genevieve Gabriella Maio. She was born on Sept 21 at 2:59am. Sarah pushed for several hours like a champ trying to get her out, but alas her head was too big. About 2:30 in the morning Sarah was wheeled back for a c-section. I am very proud of Sarah and Genevieve, they both did a great job. There are many more tales to tell, but Dad has to get back to the hospital soon. Here are a few pictures for everyone to take look at.

Thanks again to everyone for your well wishes. Sarah and I both feel that Genevieve will be surrounded by great people who care deeply for her. Thanks again.

Matt showing off his hospital 'Dad Pass'



Sarah looking cool, calm, and collected during labor

Genevieve moments after birth in the recovery room



Showing off a great baby haircut



Mom and Genevieve finally able to get some rest

39 weeks - yep, still pregnant

A lot of things did not happen this weekend that we thought might. Due to hurricane Ike both of Matt's playoff games were cancelled so there was no baseball. And although we have been having many conversations with my stomach, baby M did not choose to make her debut. She isn't due for another 9 days, but we are of the belief that she can arrive aaaaaaaany time now (if for no other reason than I don't especially feel like going to work tomorrow. Work with me, baby). My next appointment is on Tuesday - here's hoping I don't make it in.

Meanwhile my uterus and I were the guests of honor at a lovely little neighborhood brunch/shower today. Once again I was totally overwhelmed by people's generosity (this kid will be nothing if not well clothed). I always knew Wauwatosa was where it's at.

And now if you will excuse me, I am going to back to willing myself into labor.

Now you see it...


Now you don't. Tricky, no?

Mr. & Mrs.

Our good friends Dan & Erin were married in La Crosse on Saturday and baby M got to attend her first wedding. Unbeknownst to my OB, we traveled on Friday night and stayed until Sunday morning (don't tell her, at 38 weeks along I will definitely get a verbal lashing). Baby M and I had a little chat on Saturday morning on the dos and don'ts of making her debut while 3 1/2 hours from home and she agreed to stay put for at least another 24 hours. The day was perfect - sunny and cool enough that the groomsmen didn't sweat to death in their tuxes for the outdoor ceremony.

It's official!

Baby Mama (It does not help my case here that Erin is the teeniest little thing you've ever seen)

The Willes & The Maios

Making the best of an unusual place setting. That may or may not be my second piece of cake.

We left Sunday morning before the crack of dawn - 5:30 a.m. to be exact - so that we could be back in town in time for Matt's baseball game. His league team, the Orioles, was in the playoffs and it was a big game that their star catcher could not miss. I dropped him off but returned in the 7th to find the O's up 5 to 2. In the 8th Matt slammed a 3-bagger that kicked off a 5 run rally. The Orioles won it 10-2 and go on to next weekend - if they win next Saturday, they will be in the championship on Sunday! Matt has a loooooong history of being on teams who don't win as often as they, say, lose, so this is a fun change of pace for us both. Little miss M and I might need to have another one of those mother-daughter chats before next weekend's games.

1 Month To Go

We have less than one month to go. Everything is going smoothly so far. Sarah is anxious for the kicks in the ribs every 10 minutes to be over with. But she is a trooper.



Here is a preview of what the baby may look like:

Blasphemy

Obviously this shot was set up. Baby M, like her daddy, would never drink a Bud over a Miller.

College Reunion/Baby Belly

This weekend has long been set aside to pre-celebrate the rapidly approaching wedding of our good friends Erin & Dan. Actually scratch that, the weekend was set aside just for Erin. Our gorgeous bride-to-be has all of the details in place for a terrific wedding on September 6 in La Crosse. I was originally going to be a bridesmaid, however a certain someone (I won't name names) decided that she would prefer to be born in September. Erin stood up in our wedding and I was really looking forward to standing up in hers. However my service has been reassigned and I am the Executive in Charge of Stuff for the day. I look forward to using my size to my advantage (examples: "Hey, get over there for that picture or I will sit on you!" or "That shade of lipstick is not bride-approved. The belly says use this one instead!").

Bride-to-be Erin, second from the left

The festivities begin on Friday afternoon as we were ladies who lunched. Our friends and former roommates Emily and Jen came in from the Twin Cities, and another Jen joined from Eau Claire. After lunch Erin and the J's went off to do a little shopping, while Emily and I took off for downtown. Emily has always been into photography and is now starting her own business on the side, so a few months ago I agreed to let her shoot me for the notorious belly-shots for her portfolio. I had no idea what I might be getting into (Demi Moore I'm not), but Em and I choose a few outfits and decided to hit downtown for some great urban settings. We ended up shooting at the Yacht Club, the Lakefront, Third Ward, and in the middle of Wisconsin Avenue (at 5:30 on a Friday. Yes, pregnant girls in heels can still run). Then we did a few family shots in the backyard with our furry son. A couple of the shots are below, and you can check out a few more of the three-hundred-and-some images here (the entry date is August 10). For those in MN or western Wisconsin looking for a great photographer, I recommend you give her a call pronto!

Baby Belly on Orange

A belly any Brewer would be proud of

Saturday started off early as we were due on the greens at 11. We had exceptionally cute Team Kearns t-shirts (Ireland & clovers are Erin must-haves) and our golf-pro bride led the way through the course. I took my job of rider very seriously and was sure to flag down the beverage cart when the other girls felt a little parched. After the bride putted and chipped her way to victory we had a mini-shower for her, followed by dinner out (at an Irish Pub, natch) and then downtown for bars and clubs. Well, downtown for all but yours truly. I was in charge of dropping off - good car pool practice, no?

Go Team Kearns!

Is she going to be a gorgeous bride or what?

Baby M has her 34 week appointment tomorrow. Next weekend Matt and I are off to the cottage for a mini-break. Can't wait!