Montana

Chapter 38

Claire's A Day Old... When Andy woke up this morning, she still thought she was pregnant, but then she turned over and saw her daughter in Robert's arms. When she saw her daughter with Robert she smiled. It was a good night, and Claire ate every two hours. About seven in the morning there was a shift change, and then about 7:45 in the morning, Andy's nurse came in to do rounds. By the time the nurse came in, Andy's epidural had worn off. After a couple minutes, of the nurse being in the room, she had Andy stand up, and move around. When Andy stood up, it was painful, but she was glad to be on her feet.

Claire's Two Days Old... Claire was born a couple days ago, and she's eating every two hours. For the first couple weeks, Andy wants to exclusively breastfeed, and that means that Robert can't help with the feeding. Since Andy's up every two hours, Andy hasn't sleep much. When Claire's not eating, Andy is sleeping.

About seven in the morning, Carina came in to check Andy, and when she did come in Claire was eating. Conversation... Carina: Are you guys ready to go home? Andy: Really? Carina: Yes. You're healing well, and Claire's eating well. Andy: When? Carina: Today. Do you guys have a carseat on you? Andy: Yes, it's in the car. Carina: Good, I'll put the paperwork through but I'm not sure what time you are good to go. Andy: Okay. Carina: Do we need to have the lactation spealist come in? Robert: Do you recommend it? Carina: Yes, I do. Espiclly for first time moms. How are you doing with feeding her? Andy: I feel like I'm doing good. The nurses have only helped me out twice. Carina: I'll still have her come in. Andy: Okay. Carina: I'll see you again when you're about six weeks. Andy: Okay.: End of Conversation After that, Carina left and Andy got excited.

By now Andy can get up and walk around. After about an hour, the lactation spealist came in and they talked. They talked about everything. After that, Robert went down to the car and grabbed the carseat. Around two in the afternoon, the nurse came and told them at the paperwork was coming thru. So they should probably get ready to go. So Andy was able to stand up, and Andy put her in her first outfit.

It was three in the afternoon, when the nurse came in with the paperwork and she told them they were free to go. So, they collected everything, got ready to go, and Robert went and put everything in the car. When he got pack, they put Claire in her carseat, and Robert pulled the car around. Andy was taken downstairs with Claire in her wheelchair. Robert put Claire in the car, and Andy sat in the backseat beside her. When Robert was driving home, he was terrified to drive. So, the drive home was slow.

When they walked thru the front door, the house looked the same as the day they left for the hospital. Andy's wedding dress was on the floor, and baby stuff still wasn't ready. When they walked thru the door, Claire started to cry.

Conversation... Andy: I'll get the baby, and you get the baby stuff. Robert: Okay. (Andy starts to feed Claire, and Robert goes to the nursery. He comes back with the bassinet, swing, bouncer, pack and play, bottle stuff, and all the stuff they hadn't built.) Andy: Man, we so weren't prepared. Robert: Agreed. That's because I was taking extra shifts and you were on bedrest. The only thing built and ready for her is her crib, dresser, and rocking chair. Plus a small load of laundry, but probably not enough clothes. We need to do laundry, sanitize stuff, and build stuff. What should I start with? Andy: We should start with the bassinet. Robert: Okay. (Robert builds the bassinet.) Robert: Anything else tonight? Andy: I don't think so. We could start the laundry, and get out all the bottle gadgets. Including the nightlight. Robert: Okay. Will do.: End of Conversation After that, Robert takes the bassinet upstairs to their bedroom.

When he gets upstairs, he gets out the nightlight, and he even starts the laundry. After Andy feeds Claire, she goes up the stairs slowly. When she reaches the top, she finds Robert getting everything ready for her.

Conversation... Andy: Robert, you're to good for me. Robert: I know. I have your pillow, water, snacks, diapers, wipes, change of clothes, changing pad, and breast pads. Do you need anything else? Andy: No. I love you hubby. Robert: I love you wife. She just ate, so I'll take her and you get some rest. Andy: Okay. Thank you.: End of Conversation After that, Robert takes Claire, and he kisses Andy. Andy then falls asleep right away, and Robert just smiles.

Claire's Three Days Old... When Andy woke up this morning, Claire was in her bassinet. Over the night she ate every two hours, and it's been rough on Andy, but Robert has been so supportive. By the time Andy woke up, all the laundry was folded and ready for Claire to wear. When Andy saw all of that, she got emonital. She grabbed Claire and went downstairs.

When Andy came downstairs, she found the living room covered in baby stuff. The swing, bouncer, pack and play, the bottles were being sanatized, and her breast pump was out and being sanitized. He was even figuring out the baby monitor.

Conversation... Robert: Morning, beaufiul. Andy: Are you talking to me or your daughter? Robert: Both of you. Andy: Good. Where should I put her? Robert: In the bassinet, the pack and play, swing, bouncer, or lounger. Andy: Okay. How long have you been up? Robert: A couple hours. I have an appointment with my Battelion Chief in a few hours. Andy: Okay. Why? Robert: To get my papternity leave. Andy: Okay. I got a text from the team asking if they could come see me in the hospital. Robert: Did we forget to tell them we're home? Andy: Yep.: End of Conversation After that, Andy texted the team to let them know she's home and that they can come over in a couple of days. Then, Robert went and saw the Battelion Chief, and he was granted four to five weeks of paternity leave.