Happy 5th Birthday Francie!

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Happy Birthday to my big girl and first born! Francie you turn 5 today - you are wise old soul and we are so lucky to have you as the bis sis in this family :)

You told us last night you don't want to celebrate your birthday with cake until Tessa comes home so we can all be together and since it will be "her first birthday to go to." You are a very sweet big sister and we love watching you grow up - but have so many memories of being in the hospital those first few days with you and it seems like just yesterday! You taught us how to be parents... and continue to teach us lots of things everyday :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you MaryFrances Borchard Heffernan!!


The Head Honcho, Big Cheese, BIG SIS of three little sisters before she turned FIVE! Can't wait to watch you keep them in line France :) Tessa especially sends you a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY from her little newborn baby bed (and says thanks for holding off on the party and cake til she can join in :) LOVE YOU FRANCIE GIRL.

Tessa's Arrival

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We had a rough go of labor this time for both of us - at least the second half. It was a little unexpected but with an awesome husband/labor coach/nurse helping me through it and a tough little baby we are all ok on the other side of it. I have to write it down now as I don't even remember all of it! It wasn't what we expected but makes us that much more thankful for a healthy baby in the end.

I was 8 or 9 days overdue with Maisie and Janie (Francie was c-section 4 days early when she flipped breech) so I expected to go late with this pregnancy too. But Friday night/early Saturday morning I woke up at 12:30am with contractions and not feeling well. I thought they were just Braxton-Hicks or false labor so just kinda hung out but then started geting sick after an hour of contractions. I waited for them to go away and to feel better but just got worse.

Last picture of the belly -

So at 3am we pulled the girls out of bed and took them to Jannie's - they thought the middle of the night ride was pretty cool! JJ was talking away the entire drive cracking her sisters up (her new favorite line when she see's Heff's hunting skulls on the wall is to say "SHOOT! BIG! ELKKK!" and it usually digresses to other animals to get a rise out of her sisters like "SHOOT! BABY CHICK?!" to which they go nuts "NO NO JANIE YOU CAN'T SHOOT A BABY CHICK!! HAHAHA!" That is all I remember from the drive to Jannie's as I was nauseous and struggling a bit already!

Of course I didn't have a hospital bag packed but I had these laid out in her crib - first time I had bags and bags of stuff - fourth time I had my favorite post-baby hospital gown and his/her toothbrushes for Brian and I :) and going home JanKnits for the baby! Threw these in a bag and we hit the road to Jannie's

We got to the hospital 3:45am and went into the pre-admitting room to get on the monitors and see one of the doctors to decide if I was in labor "enough" to stay. I was still only 3cm and contractions had slowed down so they weren't sure I would stay - but then they picked up and I got sick again, they checked and I was a little more dilated so they decided to admit me.

We got settled in Room 10 in Labor & Delivery and contractions were going well on their own... but alternating between regular intervals but not very strong or irregular intervals and very strong. They decided to do the "Foley Bulb" which is what they used to induce me the past two babies since I can't start with any chemical/drug inductions after c-section since I'm always deemed a "VBAC" and a little more high risk.

So I got the Foley around 6am and that worked well to kick contractions into gear as usual (I won't go into details on how that one works :) It did it's job by 10am and then with a little pitocin to stay on track the contractions were strong and regular but I was still only 4-5 cm. They kept upp-ing pitocin and we were laboring through strong contractions - Heff is a good labor support and kept me feeling good and motivated! He asked every third one "epidural time? ready yet??" because he hates to see me enduring the pain but I didn't want to slow down dilating so I wanted to wait a bit longer. Finally at 6:00pm we called it - time for drugs!

The anesthesiologists on duty were tied up with 2 patients in front of me so they said it would be about an hour. My STRONG contractions were 2.5-3 minutes apart so we decided we had about 10 to go and counted them down. Good mental games to get through! But after 40 minutes they nurse said a lady just came in screaming at 8cm and they had to do her first (Heff asked if he screamed like a girl could we get them faster?) I was ok to wait but it was getting intense so we just got through each contraction - pitocin is no joke! at 7:15 they came in for my turn. I don't like getting the epidural put in AT ALL (mostly knowing what they are actually doing!) so had to psych myself up but it wasn't too bad. After I was lying down waiting for it to kick in, texting my mom and ready to get a little rest and just watch those contractions tick away on the screen.

The epidural starting kicking in around 7:45pm and I was ready for "the party" as Heff and I call it after you get the drugs - usually just start feeling great and so thankful to not be feeling the contractions anymore. I was back to texting to check in with family/friends and ready to get to the "easy part" before pushing. Well that sure didn't happen! I remember taking this picture to make sure camera settings were ok for Heff's big job as brand new baby photographer - and then everything went a little haywire...

I started feeling a little light headed and then asking the nurse about the epidural because I was only feeling it on one side and too high. I was turning over to get the medicine to even out and started shaking Heff got me warm blankets but I wasn't cold - just couldn't stop shaking. This turned into violent tremors I couldn't control and were making me feel awful and go a little crazy. I had 12 blankets on me so the weight would help control the shaking but my head/neck/jaw wouldn't stop so I had to have Heff hold a folded thick blanket pinned on the side of my head against the bed.

I started spiking a fever at this point which I tried to convince the nurse was just from the blankets but it was 103.7! I would fall asleep for 2 minutes and then wake up desperate for ice chips or water or juice. I was pretty delirious - just trying to focus on controlling the shakes that tried to take me over every few seconds. It was brutal and I was not really making much sense according to Brian. Poor Heff was so worried but did his best to hide it and just take care of me and my 100 requests for ice chips spoon fed under my cocoon of blankets.

I really don't remember much else - I was focusing on weird things and going a little crazy! Felt like an out of body experience looking back on it. The epidural never really hit all the right places so I was still feeling the contractions pretty strong too - just not everywhere which was strange and not so comfortable on top of everything else.

At some point, I think around 9 or 10pm they put a fetal monitor on the baby's head which breaks the water. (Seems rough on baby but I guess keeps better track of heart rate and stats than external monitors - we had it with Maisie too but not Janie) There was no meconium or anything and baby seemed to start moving down.

I was progressing about 2 cm more each time they checked every couple hours and by midnight I was 10cm and ready to push. We had a flood of people in the room - nurses, two doctors from my OB clinic, an attending and the whole NICU team from Packard Children's (who were there mainly because she was showing a little heart arrhythmia in utero but turned out to not even be an issue after birth - but the other stuff was so glad they were there!) Stanford Hospital is a good place to be if you need specialized care that's for sure.

I remember this part more - adrenaline must have kicked in to override everything else. I pushed through 4 contractions (harder work this time after my body was so tired!) and we had a baby! I saw her face and she looked like a Heffernan baby girl but she wasn't crying and was pale (not blue but really white) they whisked her right to the waiting NICU doctors set up in the room to start respiratory therapy.

Heff and I were so scared/nervous we didn't even bother them to ask if it was a boy or a girl. Finally she was making some squeaking noises and the pediatrician said "there you go sweet pea" and we said "does that mean it's a girl?" and they all said "YES! SORRY! IT's A GIRL!!"

the NICU pediatrician team working on our new little baby girl (this was a good bit after they got her crying)

They had to work on her for awhile to get the gunk cleared out of her lungs so she could breath better and they gave her an oxygen mask and had to rub her chest and back a lot to keep her crying/breathing ok. It was pretty scary. They took her temp and she had a 101 fever (I think) which was surprising to me since I still felt like mine was just from too many blankets :)

Cleaned up a little for the stats: 7 pounds 7 ounces 21 inches long born at 12:37am 9-16-12

They let me kind of hold her for a quick few seconds. Kiss from mom before they whisked her off...

a tired, TIRED but thankful mom

taken down the hall to LPCH NICU - Dad went along with her. I love that she is flipping the bird - very appropriate for the circumstances Tessa :)

The first picture Heff sent me from his phone holding her - her poor little black eye from birth! Still there and a little swollen but it's getting better. She's one tough cookie!

and I know I already posted this but this one made me so happy to see him holding her while I wasn't there

first time in her isolette (in the cute-but-not-as-cute-as-JanKnits hat and blanky from the NICU)
she looks like "What the heck just happened!?"

After trying to rest a little in the room and let the doctors work on her - I got to go meet her a few minutes before the 7am round change. They ended up doing more respiratory cleaning (but she didn't need to go on the CPAP thank goodness), a chest xray (I think?), a spinal tap (poor thing!) which they attempted three times and couldn't get any fluid to test, put in a IV (two unsuccessful attempts before they got a vein), a bunch of blood work and and I'm not even sure what else.

Her arrhythmia was not an issue but possible infection if I had Chorioamnionitis (an infection in the fetal membranes - chorion and amnion) which was causing my fever and her fever/distress. This is usually a result of prolonged labor but might have been that I had a flu bug that's going around which is why I'd been getting sick earlier and contributed to lowering my immune response.) She is taking it all in stride though despite the little poke marks on her hands, head and back - poor baby!

- then Heff and I burnt the 30 minutes of time for rounds and got breakfast in the cafeteria (in my wheelchair!) and this is what he got me to eat since I hadn't eaten in forever. Mountain Man breakfast!? I didn't eat those biscuits and gravy - those were passed back over to Heff :)

Back after shift change at 7:30am to finally HOLD MY BABY GIRL! SO happy to have her in my arms

Sad to leave her here instead of having her in the room with us but she's in good hands and they call me every time she wakes up to come feed her and hold her. I'm getting lots of rest (in 1-2 hour spurts - it's like Vegas in here! they wake you up all night and you never know what time it is) and pretty much feel like my body got hit by a truck I'm so sore from all the shaking but my fever broke right after delivery and I am doing fine.

Tessa is a great baby so far - happy to just eat and sleep. She latched on right away, which I was very thankful for since I didn't get to see her for so long, and nurses like a champ.

They are treating her for possible infection since her white counts were high and she had the fever - 48-72 hours of antibiotics and if no infection shows up in further tests and the bacteria culture she can go home Wednesday we hope.

Seeing all the very sick babies in the NICU - we feel more blessed than ever for our healthy children and four beautiful baby girls. We can't wait to add this little one to the mix at home as a family. Thanks to everyone for their texts and messages of love and support - we love you!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!

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We were very blessed to welcome a new baby GIRL to our family today!

"Tessa Kate"
(aka MaryTeresa Katherine)
was born at 12:37am Sunday September 16, 2012
the day before her due date
7 pounds 7 ounces
21 inches

We had a rough go of labor for both of us and Tessa is in the NICU at Stanford for two days but we are hoping she will get to come home with us on Tuesday. She is a tough cookie (notice her swollen black eye on the right - poor baby!) The 'birth story' needs a post of it's own - for now all the happy new baby photos!

got to bond with her Dad for her first six hours of life - he took good care of her!

My first visit to the NICU - 8 hours old

Getting to know Baby Tess

Big sisters got to meet their new baby today and are all very excited. Tessa was a thoughtful baby sis and brought them each a new doll to leave the hospital with :) They are loving life at Camp Jannie/Emmy at Jannie and Grampa's house while we are in the hospital with the baby. We are very thankful they are in such good hands since dropping them at the back door 3:30 in the morning Saturday!

Looking forward to being home with our four daughters - already in love with this new little one to add to our flock. She has some features of her sisters but really seems to have her own look!

Adventures with Emmy

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Lunch date at Spot Pizza! A lady came into Bumble and said "I just saw your crew having lunch - looked like a preschool out front!"

We are sooo lucky to have Emmy!! Not only as a member of the family (I think growing up as cousins, Emmy and I fought with each other like sisters MORE than I did with Baby Ann - we know each other so well we knew how to push each others buttons! Yes I know I was 9 years older :)

Maisie told us for HER birthday she wants a new stroller since "sometimes it's hard for Emmy to push all of us in one stroller." Cute sentiment Maisie but she wasn't sure who was going to push it :)

Love the excitement on Maisie's face hanging out with Janie in her crib when she wakes up

Always lots of fun to be had at PLAY! The girls walk downtown and hit all the hot spots (pet store, treat store, Dreagar's Jelly Belly wall, and of course PLAY!

and lately Emmy gets lots of one-on-one JJ time while the girls are in school!

then they pick up the big girls at school on a stroller ride

Love the look Maise

Doesn't get much better than mornings with Emmy! LOVE YOU EM!!

Big Girl Francie

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I had to post more pics form our Alameda day from Emmy's Instagram :) It was such a fun one-on-one day with my big girl Francie… who turns 5 years old next week! Trying to keep her big day a priority over baby waiting - she's being a good sport about it. Love ya France!

E for Emmy

wagon rider (until we bough too much stuff!)

Can't believe my big girl is almost FIVE!

YAY for Francie :)

Francie and her Emmy

Awesome Outfits

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The Costume Shop downtown put their Halloween signs up last week so Emmy took the girls in to check it out. They left $4 poorer and a whole lot of fringe and bling richer!

this (skating?) costume was made for little Maisie!

and Francie's arm bands make the outfit

They wore them all day

for an afternoon picnic in the front yard...

and skipping our way down to Bumble for dinner (after she took it off to nap and put it right back on :)

Preschool Updates

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The girls are adjusting to preschool and waking up early every morning! The start of the real world :) We've had it pretty easy for the past almost 5 years - but despite having to practically crane them out of their warm beds they are happy campers. Brian and I usually both get them ready but sometimes he let's me sleep in and does it all himself :) Hair brushed, snack packed and breakfast and then they head off up the hill to pick up the neighbor train of kids and all walk to school. It's not a quick process but Heff gets up super early to work and likes the break in his morning to spend time with his girls. We get great updates from the teachers on the girls days like this one...

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39 weeks

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39 weeks! Getting down to the wire. Still can't believe it's really almost time for a new squishy little baby :) The girls are getting really excited (well except Janie - she's NOT going to like this one bit!) she has such a little attitude and throws herself on chairs/the ground if she doesn't get her way. Gotta learn quick that doesn't work around here Janie!

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Francie told her teacher yesterday she hopes the baby is born on her birthday because "that would be really fun and cool." Maisie is a little jealous of this fact and said a few weeks ago "Oh I have a good idea- the baby's legs can come out on Gagee's birfday, the middle can come out on JJ's birfday and the HEAD can come out on MY birfday!" Francie looked at Maisie like she had two heads and said "Maisie that is NOT a good idea - babies come out all in one day." 

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We did get a new infant seat in the mail today though! (sold the old one on Craigslist last year :)  and the girls took it right out of the box to play and put their dolls in. Still trying to figure out how to configure four carseats in the Suburban (we have a bench middle seat for more seats - but Maisie can't buckle or unbuckle the bottom part herself and no way am I crawling back there every time! I think we do Francie in the way back and three across the middle.

Maisie is sooooo excited for the baby :)

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Francie and I went downtown yesterday while the little girls napped to check on business life and Francie was talking about the carseat and said "Well - no way we can EVER take the truck anywhere again! I reminded her the infant seat can actually go up front on the bench between mom and dad (don't worry - it's safe, no airbag there and in the very middle of a 3/4 ton diesel truck it's a pretty safe place to ride) so she thought about it an said "Well - so much for EVER riding in the ranger again!" (my electric vehicle golf cart/ranger is a two seater we only drive around town - got that one right France.

my big work helper (we got ice cream too)

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I go to the dr once a week now and everything is status quo. My doctor has me go for fetal monitoring at LPCH once a week too since I am VBAC.  I just sit for 20 minutes and watch all the kicks register on the screen and baby's heart beat go up when it goes crazy. Still a super active little baby - does that mean a boy or another JJ?! 

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Off to wash some newborn baby clothes - it's about that time! Hard to believe most of what I have will be on the FOURTH round… good thing they grow fast and clothes don't wear out very quickly when you are a tiny baby :) oh and should probably pack a hospital bag…. got my new Dear Johnnie all ready, have to splurge on a new one every time so I can tell which baby is which in hospital pictures!

Labor Day = Work Day

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Heff and I both planned on working at "work" on Labor Day but realized how much we had to do around the house, mostly in the yard, to get our house ready to sell! So we sent the girls with Emmy for some fun and started a full day of manual labor (I was of course hoping lots of raking leaves and planting flowers would lead to a real LABOR day but no baby signs yet!)  The girls had been to the dump, dirt store and hardware store with Heff on Sunday while I napped so they weren't missing out and we had a fun date day working together on the yard.  Emmy tired the babes out at the park and downtown as you can see above! :)

First stop the Recology Collection Center (such a nice name for the DUMP!)

They Lyngso - "the dirt store" as the girls call it.  Nothing says "this house is for sale" like fresh bark!

Big girl helper while the little girls napped. Dad got them new tools :) 

"Mom the dust is flying in my eyes and I can't work! Oh wait I have an idea!" Goggles. Good one France.

and then we capped off the day with beers by the pool at neighbors house - Francie and William are best buds and shared a popcorn date on the stairs :) 

 

Janie: Ummmm....

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A conversation with JJ. Ask her a question and she thinks about it for awhile "Ummmm....."

and this one was on my phone from 2 months ago - fun to see how much more Janie is talking like a human :) and hilarious to watch poor Maisie get shut down by her little sister every time she so lovingly tries to hug, hold or kiss her!

(not sure why the right video won't load here - fixing it :)

Alameda Antique Fair

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Saturday morning we woke up EARLY to venture over to the east bay for the Alameda Antique Fair. Francie decided she wanted to go to and hopped right out of bed at 6am (wore her clothes to bed, smart girl :) We met Jannie, Emmy, Kate and Emily G at Jannie and Grampa's house and set off for some flea market scavenging. We got some good stuff and Francie was such a trooper - learned how to bargain for a $20 Madame Alexander doll for herself and some $12 Breyer horses for her sister :)

This just looked cool...

First thing Francie found and wiggled her way in this little red racer - still foggy on the naval airstrip in Alameda at 7am!

warmed up after she found her new doll - but did NOT Think it was cool this creepy antique lady had 4 doll heads on a platter!

wanted to get this pull cart for Oma's house and the donkey

Cousin Kate treated to a high-octane rainbow snow cone (soo syrupy we couldnt even handle - France had no problem)

Our loot piled on the wagon - what a fun day!!!

 

Preschool Picnic

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Last week we had the girl's school picnic - at Shoup Park! We took a Bumble picnic lunch and hung out with all the other families. The teachers did some music and activities with the kids and they ran around their favorite stomping grounds. 

JJ not so sure about Maisie taking her to do some music (notive Maisie snatched her binky which she isn't allowed to take to school :)

Emmy came too! What a fun day in the park.

making music

GoGo JJ on the Bongos

Francie leading the pack

Cute preschool dads walking the kids to school in the mornings - fun to have a school so close!

 

516 University Ave - Coming Soon!

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It's hard to believe we are really going to be moving! We expected to be here for a long long time, but just love the historic house next door (even has a pizza oven :) and hope to find some nice neighbors to move in here. Our house won't go on the market until after we move out, stage it, list it etc - but if you know anyone who might be interested we have a website with some photos and basic info (not staged - all our stuff still here including Hank the Moose of course :)

www.516universityave.com