Family Photo

Just thought I would post our new family photo, which is the only picture we have with all four of us together. I thought it turned out well. If you look closely at Andy's hands, you'll notice that we actually have five members in our family...apparently Spiderman has been officially adopted!

Three Weeks!

Elizabeth is three weeks today. I can't believe how fast time flies by when you aren't really paying attention.   Andrew is slowly adjusting. He loves being a big brother and chooses what clothes Lizzy wears almost every single day. He is usually very helpful during diaper changing time, bath time and tries to help calm her when she is upset, which is usually only when she is hungry or wants to be picked up and then she wants mom. Today he even got me a drink of water with ice while I was feeding Lizzy. He reminds me to do things I say I am going to to do and just can't stop kissing her, some times Lizzy doesn't appreciate all the attention he gives her but I am sure she will enjoy him more as she gets older. I love hearing Andrew say "maybe she wants her big brother", "my baby", "she is so little", and he never fails to pray for her. He is not perfect and the little green monster does come out in him at times but fortunately his aggression has not yet turned toward  his little sis yet. He is doing much better since I have started to feel better and can take the time to run and play with him a little.  

So far Lizzy is a very cuddly and sleepy baby. This week she has been a wake a little more but not much. She loves to be held and to snuggle and usually doesn't care who is doing the snuggling. When she is mad she is really mad and defiantly has her mama's voice. She recently has decided that she likes to sit up and tries to pull her self to a sitting position when reclined. She is a girl who knows what she wants and how to get it, I think we are going to be in trouble when she gets older. We have been blessed with plenty of help since she was born, including my sister Laura, my Mom and Dad, and Pat's Mom. I don't know what I'll do when she finally has to leave!

Pretty in pink, just four days old.

Chillin with Aunt Laura.

Loves to sleep in her car seat.

And we have worn ourselves out.

First bath.

Big brother, was so excited to help.

No tears, until we pulled her out of the bath that is.

Daddy time.

Family snuggle time, unfortunately Dad was working.

Just so sleepy.

They just couldn't keep up with mom and Grammie.

More Mommy time.

Three weeks old!

Kisses from Grammie will make it all better.

Andy scooping out the watermelon to eat, getting so independent.

Returning Grammie's kisses.

Fed and content in Grammie's arms.

Although these pictures seem like we have stayed inside the past three weeks, we actually haven't. We have been to Church three times, several playgroups, ABC Sports, a baby shower for a friend, shopping, swimming and a few other trips but I have not managed to take a picture while out and about. I will try and get some at our next outing. Well I am hoping all the pictures will please the grandparents, Aunties and whoever else out there wanting to see more pictures.

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to wish all fathers everywhere, and the fathers in my life most particularly, a Happy Father's Day! We wouldn't be where we are today without you!

To my own Dad: Thanks for all the great advice over the years, even if I only listened to 35.7% of it (I have kept track)! It is always appreciated, and, believe it or not, usually right.

To my Dad-in-law: I have no idea how you maintained your sanity with four girls, but you did, and they have all turned out to be amazing women. Thanks for helping Julie be the woman I fell in love with, and thanks for accepting me as the son you never wanted!

Finally, to my Bedbug and Ladybug: Thanks for helping me realize how much fun it is to be a Dad. I love you to pieces!

Elizabeth's Dramatic Arrival!

As many of you already know, we were recently joined by a new addition to our family. The arrival was somewhat unexpected and dramatic. As promised on Facebook, here is the story, as well as some more pictures. Enjoy!

On Tuesday, May 29, I went in to work at the usual 5 am. I rounded on my patients and was assisting with General Surgery Clinic when I received a series of texts from Julie which essentially asked me to come and be with her at her scheduled OB/Gyn appointment. I arranged with the Nurse Practitioner and my fellow Intern to cover for me for a half hour or so, and I went to the OB/Gyn Clinic. Upon finding Julie, I discovered that she had been crying. Further investigation revealed that her blood pressure was still elevated despite her blood pressure medication and her urine protein levels were elevated, giving her a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. As if this news wasn't enough, the OB/Gyn resident was mentioning admission and induction of labor, since she was term at 38 weeks. For those of you who know Julie, this was, quite literally, her worst nightmare. She hates doctors (the irony of her marriage to one is not lost on me), hospitals, needles, monitors, and everything associated with a modern delivery in a monitored setting. The resident asked us to go to the labor and delivery deck for evaluation, and, thankfully from my point of view, Julie agreed.

Upon arrival at L&D, Julie had some blood drawn, and was evaluated by the on-call OB/Gyn Intern. He determined that she did need to be admitted and induced given her high blood pressures. He did a fantastic job of explaining everything to Julie, much better than I could have done. Julie reluctantly agreed to the admission and induction at about 11:30 am, and everything happened very quickly after that. Julie's sister Laura, who decided at the last minute to stay until my Mom arrives on June 9, took control of Andy, I called my fellow Intern and Resident and received the rest of the week off, we were moved to a delivery room, Anesthesia placed an IV after multiple attempts (which has left several nice bruises on Julie's arm), magnesium was started to prevent seizures (a danger when pre-eclampsia develops into full eclampsia), and pitocin was started to get things going. Julie refused an epidural, and delivered Elizabeth without any pain medication. I'm convinced she has superhero powers when it comes to the endurance of pain, with her fatal weakness being her unnatural fear of needles. Anyway, the pitocin was slowly increased over several hours and Julie slowly progressed until about 10 pm, when her water broke. The nurse examined her at that time and determined that she was 4 cm dilated. At that time I expected another 2-3 hours of labor. I was wrong.

Approximately 10-15 minutes later, Julie felt the need to push. At the same time, the labor nurses and the on-call resident came into the room to evaluate Elizabeth, whose heart rate had suddenly slowed dramatically. Julie was examined by the resident and found to be 10 cm dilated, fully effaced, at -3 station. The delivery cart was wheeled in and everyone began to get ready. Julie asked if she could push, was told to give it a try, then frantically told to stop when Elizabeth immediately crowned. Her next words were something along the lines of, "I can't stop. She's coming out"! Plastic was thrown down at the foot of the bed (they didn't have time to break it down), and 2-3 pushes later, Elizabeth Carol was here. The cord was clamped, I cut it, and she was handed off to the waiting Pediatric team. She was examined, found to be perfectly healthy, wrapped, and handed to me. The drama was continuing at Julie's bedside, however.

During delivery, Julie sustained a 4th degree laceration which involved an artery. She was bleeding somewhat profusely, and had not yet delivered the placenta. The resident, Dr. Hill, immediately began suturing the artery closed, and did a fantastic job, a calm eye in the center of the storm of health care responders arriving at bedside to address Julie's active hemorrhage. He was able to slow the bleeding enough to enable transport to the operating room for definitive repair. Julie was wheeled by Elizabeth and me, looking very pale. We gave her a kiss, and waited for her to come back. For those of you who know me, this was my worst nightmare. I could only envision the worst case scenario. Fortunately, the repair was complete within an hour, she did not require a blood transfusion (she lost a total of about one liter of blood, which is approximately 1/6 of the bodies total blood volume), and she was safe and sound in the recovery room. The rest of the hospital stay went well. Julie was a model patient and was ready for discharge by Thursday, two days later. We came home and are enjoying Elizabeth immensely! Julie's Mom, Dad, and sister Laura are here helping us more than we ever thought possible, and we can't wait for everyone else to see her. Drop what you're doing and come see us! Andy and Elizabeth eagerly await visitors!

Andy wanted to help paint Elizabeth's room. We thought we were preparing pretty far in advance, since she wasn't due for two more weeks. Instead, we finished the day she was born.

Revising my initial cut of the cord. Note the proper surgical use of the scissors.

Elizabeth Carol Scarborough, 7 lbs 1 oz and 21 inches of absolute presciousness!

A very proud big brother. Much better than when he initially was told that he would have a little sister.

I love these two to pieces!

Auntie Laura with Lizzy. We're eternally grateful that you decided to stay past the baby shower!

A very proud Grandma. Thanks for coming to San Diego so quickly!

An even more proud Granddad. We're glad you made it too...particularly me. I have some projects I need help with!

My three favorite people in the entire world, all on one hospital bed. It's the simple things that make my day.

As you can see, Andy was pretty excited to hold the baby...

...which worried the adults just a bit.

Andy kept bringing Elizabeth toys every time he came to visit. He had a hard time understanding why she wasn't playing with them.

Dressed and ready to go home!

Andy picked out Elizabeth's outfit. He's got good taste.

My tired girls. I love them so much!

Stretching out in the bassinet.

Hanging with Auntie Laura.

We want to thank everyone that has helped, come by to visit, and offered congratulations. We are very excited to have Elizabeth with us, and can't wait to update the blog with even more pictures.