Andy is awesome.

I love this man.

He made breakfast in bed for me!  He even let Alli and Ruby help (which often times makes the task more difficult).  And breakfast was divine!  They made whole grain pancakes, blueberry muffins, and granola served with orange juice and milk!
Alli must have taken this picture...

Plus he makes cute kids.

Hospital recap

The hospital stay was lovely.  I must say, Prentice is a fine hospital!  The facilities were deluxe.  The staff was wonderful (special thanks to all of my nurses: Kelly, Donna, Jonna, LaTasha, and Chris and to my midwife Ariel!)  I stayed for two days and got plenty of rest.
Andy brought the girls and Grandma each day for a visit.  Ruby loved my bed... especially the buttons to make it move!  She also enjoyed playing hide-and-seek in my room.  Ruby and Alli brought me some artwork.  This is a drawing of me wearing a crown and holding June with a pillow Alli made for us.

Alli couldn't get enough of June.  She held her for about 45 minutes before June got fussy... and Alli wanted to hold her some more.  Andy got a little rest too... and a tiny bit of work wrapped up. (Did I mention the hospital had a wireless network, internet on the flat screen monitor in front of my bed, and room service-style meals?  Nice.)  Mostly Andy loved on me and June... he even stayed with us one night.

June got lots of love.  LOTS.

June spent much of the hospital stay like this...

or asleep.  Or eating.  Or trying to stuff her fingers into her mouth.  (Lots to do.)
She came home in a vintage-inspired dress with tights (very baggy) and a silk cardigan.  I didn't get a picture of that ensemble.  Oops.  But here she is all bundled and ready to go home.  Her legs did not fill the snow suit, they were bunched up in the suit.  It is hard to believe that she will fill that suit and that carseat... but I know all too well that little girls grow up way too quickly.

And so I am savoring this tiny bundle, freshly delivered to our family... from Heaven, of course.

More Pictures

Welcome June Emilia Nicoll

We had a long night last night. Contractions kept me from sleeping, and they got very uncomfortable around midnight. By 4am we were heading to the hospital. Chicago is so quiet at 4am, just us and the snow swirling gently outside.
I arrived at the hospital dialated to 6.5cm. Not bad. By 6:30am, I was at an 8. Andy did a great job applying pressure to help relieve pain (ask him, and he can show you pain-redusing pressure points). My midwife broke the amniotic sac and then contractions really got fun. (That was a joke, by the way.) Minutes later I was pushing. Hard work! Andy got so excited when he could see her head, his encouragement was just what I needed. But what I moment when I opened my eyes and looked down and saw this little baby emerging all slippery and plump! Oh how I loved her! June Emilia was born at 6:55am. She weighed in at 7 lbs 3oz and was 20 inches long.
She was so alert! She didn't really cry, just a lamb-like bleating every so often. She moved her eyes around the room as different voices spoke. Her tongue was going in and out of her mouth like she was trying to figure out how to make it work. She smiled a heavenly little smile. So peaceful. She stretched her arms and legs for the first time and startled herself. Babies are just so wonderful! I am in love with this tiny little girl.

I am feeling good now (except for where I am not feeling good). I have had a little nap and a lot of food!

June likes to suck on her hands and fingers. She is so calm... and soft, fuzzy, wrinkly, darling! She reminds me of both Alli and Ruby as babies. They will be quite a trio.

The hospital is great. I have a computer monitor and internet access at my bedside! A skyline view of downtown. I have a menu to order from whenever. The outfit is not so cute, but I guess I can't have everything.

It is 4 am...

and we're going to the hospital.

Stay tuned.

I am due today.

Still pregnant

I am a licensed driver again.  On Friday I went to the DMV to get a new license... that other one is still at the car dealership in the 'burbs.  I would have gone out to get that one, but it expires this month anyhow.
Alli and Ruby came with me.  I came prepared with snacks and paper and pens for drawing.  Unfortunately, there was a big sign in the waiting area (a.k.a. the ENTIRE DMV) prohibiting food, drinks and sanity (or something like that).  No snacking.  Luckily the girls stayed busy drawing pictures. 
Folks were quite nice to me.  I got sent to the front of two different lines (I think we had to wait in five lines to get a completed license). 
No, I didn't have to put my full gestational weight.  I put my ideal weight.  :)

Only an hour.  No meltdowns.  The kids were good too.

Victory!