Mema & Pepa

On Sunday night Quinn and I pulled an all-nighter. At one point in my life I thought those were super exhilarating, but alas I've gotten old and staying up all night is more like torture now--torture at the hands of the most adorable newborn around. I walked out of my bedroom on Monday morning to find Talmage already off to school with James, Everett finishing up his oatmeal breakfast, and my parents packing their suit cases so they could return to their home. Yes, after taking care of us for a month it was finally time for my mom to leave (and my dad too, who had spent the last week here with us)--and the tears that instantly welled in my eyes let me know what kind of day it was going to be, a no-mascara one for sure. I couldn't talk about their flight, let alone look in my mom's direction, without bursting into tears. I'll be the first to admit that the sleep deprivation added to my desperation at the thought of them leaving, then again I am the worst goodbye-er ever so maybe I would have been hysterical regardless. But with parents as cool as mine, how could I not be?

I have had the best transition into life with three kids and it has absolutely everything to do with my mom. She allowed me to focus on Quinn and heal from surgery while she took care of everything else, and I mean EVERYTHING! She's cooked, cleaned, done school-runs and become the soccer (grand) mom. She's gone on field trips, and practiced piano. She's done laundry, taken temperatures, gone to doctors appointments and playgroups. But most importantly she's just been my friend during the emotional, hormonal, stressful and exhausting post-partum period. My relationship with my mom is one of the reasons I was so excited to have a daughter. I love her so much, and boy am I grateful.

By the time my dad came into town I was able to move a little better, and we basically spent a week eating our way around New York City. I can assure you that there is no one in the world who is more fun to eat with than my dad. We had a blast! He also resumed his role as a tease, and was sure to bug the heck out of the boys (don't be fooled, they begged for more!)

Thank you Mom and Dad for sacrificing so much for our family. The little Wigs of NYC are beyond grateful!

And now, the Mema and Pepa photo dump:

 

The MET rooftop exhibit.

 

All day, every day: me nursing and Ev begging to play on Mema's phone.

Ev LOVES matching with people. Here he is being twinners with Pepa and Mema.

More Mema at the MET.

Pepa and Quinny-girl.

At the Natural History Museum.

Mema cuddling our girl.

Levain bakery cookies, yes please!

Afternoon lovin!

Grimaldi's pizza and walking the Brooklyn Bridge.

Quinn's first carousel ride at Jane's Carousel.

Jack-o-lanterns drawn and carved by Pepa and James (with help from the littles).

Last meals in NYC :(

Miss Quinn in her Halloween best!

The boys helping hail a cab. We love you guys, see you soon!

Being Quinn's Mama

This time around has felt so different. I can't describe it except to say that I see so many people suffering great and small around me and shoot, I've had a trial or too of my own in my day, and that just has a way of putting every darn thing in perspective. Like not sleeping at night for instance. If there's one thing I can say about Quinn it is that she LOVES her Mama. Like, serious love people. That love manifests itself through endless days and nights of her in my arms--read: on my chest--and a really crinked neck from sleeping all silly with her bundled in my arms (with a trillion pillows propping us up). Sure, I'm a walking zombie when I open my bedroom door in the morning but I still just feel so grateful that Quinn is here and she is healthy and my mom is here taking care of us and making T's lunch that I don't feel like I have one ounce of anything to complain about. I had a healthy baby! She is at home, cuddling with me nonstop! And gosh, she's cute to boot!  As for my mom's role in this equation--she's making it much easier for my life to be blissful. When she leaves next week this blog (and my life) might take a sour turn. You've been warned!

So, on a completely unrelated note, Quinn was tongue-tied from birth which made for the sloppiest, chokiest, worst feeding sessions you could imagine. It was like this: latch, slurp, choke, cough, cry, gas, repeat. But then after she repeated like three times she would tire out and just fall asleep on my chest, hungry but exhausted. I never worried about "breaking" the boys because let's be honest, both of them came to me in a pretty broken state and I was just worried about keeping them alive. Oh, but Quinn. She came to me just as whole as can be and my new-mama emotions made me believe that I was starving her and she'd never make it with me as her mom. So dramatic, I know, but I guess that's what a lot of shifting hormones will do for a girl a few days after being released from the hospital. Luckily the tongue fix is quick and with a little snip that baby girl looked like a little lizard. I, on the other hand, straight up passed out in the ENT office. Me, the mom who has held her boys down for stitches, and cuddled them while they went under with anesthesia, and has gone through surgeries and stitches and broken, bloody heads and all sorts of tubes. Through all of that, I was fine. But shoot darn heck touch my baby girl and I'm a goner. And don't even ask me how I felt when they told me I'd need to stretch her sore tongue with every feed so that "you don't have to put her through that again." Oh barf. But, I'm happy to report that her tongue is looking just as tongue-y as any tongue should ever look and there is much less choking going on around here. Still some crying, and have I mentioned I can't eat chocolate, but it's all good around here now.

Random Quinny fact: she is a city girl, through and through. She will sleep for hours and hours while being walked around the city but bam! take her back in the house and she's screaming like she's been robbed. She loves the horns and sirens and traffic of the city, the noiser the better in fact, and she loves it when the sidewalks a little uneven as well. My mom says she's just like me--already a girl full of adventure and I can't wait to see where her adventurous spirit will take her. But for now, Quinn and I are loving this city together.

Anyway, I don't really know what this blog post is about except that it's about Quinn, which is what my lucky life revolves around lately. And just in case you need proof, here are a ton of pictures of her from my phone, because apparently she is also the ONLY thing I take pictures of anymore. And that's mostly a fact.

 Quinn at 1 week old. Weird how she was in my tummy a week before this picture...and then, you know, she was out!

So, we call Quinn our little mouse, because I kind of think she looks like one. Except when she's crying and howling, then I think she looks like a muskrat and that's what I call her. I love her muskrat self just as much as her mouse self though, so don't worry! PS--There's nothing like a sleeping baby, right? Except when those deep eyes are looking back at you. Then there's nothing like an awake baby! PSS--That hair!!!!!!

 Daddy cuddles and Mommy kisses.

 

And lounging babies taking a bath.

And as if I don't already have a ton of pleasant pictures of Quinn, sometimes I play with my camera functions while I nurse. I make Quinny coloring sheets and cartoons of her and sometimes I do those weird x-ray pictures and I love and save every single one. I don't think there's anything about that girl that I'm not obsessed with! I also like to get caught up on articles while I'm nursing--everything from silly animal stories to hard news to celebrity trash. If you ever read something and even semi-like it, send it my way. I'm doing a whole lotta nursing these days!

One more thing. I texted this picture to James and asked him if he noticed anything different about her. He said, "Did you cut Quinn's hair?" Ha! Turns out this isn't Quinn at all but it's ME!!! I don't know if you can tell from this picture, but this girl and I look an awful lot alike. So, super fun!

Party of FIVE: Some more hospital pics

The little boys were smitten with their sister from the very start, and luckily in the two weeks since she's been in our family their obsession has only grown. That first time that T and Ever held Miss Quinn the air was full of "Ahh, she's so cute!" and "Hi Sister!" and "She's so fun, I love her!" They wanted to count her toes and touch her face (after sanitizing, of course!) and ooh and ahh over her sweet clothes and bow. Luckily my mom took a video of their reaction which I'm sure I'll cherish forever, but this picture also makes my heart burst just a little. I'm so lucky to call ALL of these kids mine!

Talmage has taken the transition like a stud. He's still learning his routine of school and soccer and piano and is extra tired when he finally gets home, but he hasn't taken his exhaustion out on me or on Quinn (just a little on his little brother Ev!) He loves that sister of his, and especially likes to whisper secrets in her ear. Luckily in the hospital he whispered loud enough for me to hear his sweet nothing, "Hi sister! Do you remember me?" It made me so happy, and reminded me of this post.

Everett has actually surprised me with how much he loves his little sister, this from the boy that desperately wanted a brother up to the moment she was born. But now that she's hear, bam! he's in love! He's the official diaper man and takes his job very seriously. He also likes to pick out a bow everyday to match her outfit. He is a fabulous big brother for Quinny girl. Unlike Talmage though, Ev is taking some of the transition out on me (and Mema). That little boy is spi-cey, that's all I'm going to say!

Wigginton family- party of 5. Gosh, that's exciting! Our new family's first picture.

I don't know how we would be surviving without my mom. No, let me rephrase that: we would not be surviving without my mom. She is taking care of all of us and keeping up with our busy city schedule. She's a saint. I love that we got this picture of Mema, Mommy and my first daughter, little Miss Quinn. In fact, all of the pictures on this post were from my mom's phone and I was smiling ear to ear when I found them yesterday!

 

And this picture. Oh, this picture! James and I brought Quinn home in a taxi, and called my mom to bring the boys down when we got close. Everett immediately grabbed his dragon mask he made in preschool because he wanted us to see it so badly. As soon as Quinny was out of the cab those boys were surrounding her and talking to her and basically being just so super cute. This is bliss.

Could she be any cuter?

 No, I believe she could not.

P.S. BOWS!!!

Quinny's First Days

I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that I was fully pregnant when I left my apartment on October 1st, and then after a short subway stint, an elevator ride to the 10th floor and a little OR action it was like wham, bam, thank you ma'am I was no longer pregnant and was holding the cutest little human in my arms. Surreal is what I like to call it. That, and a miracle. And kind of weird, right? This morning I went on a very, very slow walk around the block (think, sslllooowwww) and ran into a man who lives in our building. He hit it right on the head with, "So...last week that baby was inside you and now she's hanging out in the bassinet? I can't figure it all out!" Me neither. Making babies, birthing babies, caring for babies; the fact that it's at all possible is a wonder of the world to me. 

But anyway, la-dee-da, below is an ever-so-brief (ha!) travelogue of our days in the hospital. Another thing I still can't wrap my mind around? The fact that I left the hospital with a healthy 3-day-old baby. No extended stays. No NICU. No "Your baby probably isn't going to make it" or "This really isn't your fault" or "He stopped breathing, emergency surgery, side effects, risks and consent forms." Nope. After a couple of sweet nights shared with Miss Quinn (and a roommate--no private rooms were available at the inn!) I sat in a wheelchair with a baby in my arms and was pushed out into a rainy, noisy New York City that seemed more beautiful than I remembered. I'm pretty sure I have Quinn to thank for that!

So, here you go: 

 Heading to the hospital on an early Wednesday morning. 

 We figured our Subway days were going to be over for awhile (well, mine at least) so we opted to take the train to Columbia instead of a taxi. It was a very entertaining trip as we documented, well, just about everything!

There was some confusion about surgery times and we were a little scared that Quinn's birthday was going to be delayed, but luckily the charge nurse worked her magic and by 10:18 we were holding a baby girl in our arms, just as planned. And let's just state the obvious--Quinn's hair was the envy of all the other newborns! Seriously though, she's a looker!

Then came the visitors:

 GG and Mema (Papa and the boys were there as well but I need to get pictures from my mom. The brothers should have their own post anyway, right?)

 Dr. Bonanno on the left is the wonderful doctor who delivered Quinn, and on the right is Winnie, the nursing student who followed my case from pre-op to post-partum (and her first c-section!)

 We finally settled on the name Quinn Isabel. The story behind the name Quinn is found here, and Isabel is after my beloved great grandmother Margaret Isabel Chase Crowe.

 Me and my girlfriend!

One of the sweetest things about welcoming Quinn into our family is seeing how much her Daddy adores her. Don't get me wrong, he LOVES his boys, but there is something about the way he looks at his little girl that makes me melt. 

 A super blurry picture taken by a cab driver that wanted to get us in the cab and on the road as quickly as humanly possible. Welcome to New York City, Quinny!

Daddy and Quinn inside getting ready for her first crazy, bumpy, and totally "normal" cab ride home. The cabby wouldn't even wait for car seats to be buckled or seat belts fastened. Oh bother.

 These little ones are beyond lucky to have the fantastic grandparents that they do, and I'm grateful that they were here to share in Quinn's birth.

And then came Quinn.

Quinn was delivered in a room full of women who fulfilled their doctor duties with the loving demeanor of midwives. My OB held me in her arms as the anesthesiologist placed my spinal, and then as my warm body melted into the table I saw a multitude of sisters surround me to carefully prepare my body to welcome our daughter.  I say our daughter, because as these women washed and cleaned me, asked how I was doing from over the curtain (and then laughed when I would say, "I'm great! How are you doing on that side?) and ultimately opened my womb in a miracle of modern medicine I quickly realized that sweet little Quinn belonged to every soul in that delivery room--and we were all better for it.  It wasn't all that long ago that stories like mine ended in tragedy, but these glorious doctors gave Quinn and I the chance to live our days together; they gave us life. C-Sections are not glamorous and they are not easy, but they are miraculous and my heart is so very grateful that they are possible. I've always craved the birth stories of ancient days where women would surround women in encouragement, love and support to bring life to earth, and in that Operating Room in New York City that was my exact experience in delivering Quinn. It was perfect.

Quinn's Daddy was the lone man in the Operating Room and not only did he allow me to drain his hand of all color when the pressure intensified, he also said prayer after prayer that his girls would be OK. Sometimes I am struck at what a great partner James is and how lucky I am to be with him--this was one of those times. That room would not have been complete without his presence, and I realized that I had something now that the women of yonder-years probably craved--their love by their side during the miracle of birth.

So Quinn is here. She's been here for a week today in fact. And oh what a beautiful, amazing week it has been. My world is looking a lot more pink these days, and feeling a lot more sweet. I've taken approximately a million pictures of my flower this week alone--be warned of future photo dumps! 

But for now, the simple announcement I've always wanted to give: 

 

 

Quinn Isabel Wigginton

October 1, 2014

8 lbs 13 oz

20 1/2 inches long

A letter to Mr. Quinn from Heather Quinn in anticipation of meeting Ms. Quinn

Dear Mr. Quinn,

It was 29 years ago this month that a dashing young Navy-man and his blonde, beaming wife entered your doors looking for the perfect nursery paint for their impending bundle of joy. No matter that they, at 19, were just babies themselves, their enthusiasm and commitment to both each other and that bulging baby bump were contagious, and you found yourself taking them around the store to inspect every shade of pink on your premises. The woman was giddily picking out pinks and purples while the young man, a talented artist who took his responsibility for creating a haven for his daughter quite seriously, would close his eyes and imagine how the colors on the walls would paint a picture of the life he would help create for her, and them--this new family they were starting.

I don't know what you saw in this young couple, besides the enviable Farrah Fawcett flip on her and his adorable high and tight buzz cut, but you saw something. You marched them up to the front of the store with a cart so full of paint it could have turned every room in their house (and heck, probably the exterior too) into a little girl's wonderland, and then you said the unexpected. You looked at those two young people square in the face, wished them all the luck in the world, and told them that every can of paint they picked out in the store that day was absolutely free. The couple left in grateful tears (after, knowing her, a hug and maybe even a kiss on the cheek was given to you as well) knowing that their little girl was entering a beautiful world with beautiful people who were good. So, so good.

I'm writing you this letter because you are an integral part of my family history. Those cute young people were my parents, and that baby born just one month after your encounter was me, Heather Quinn. My parents were so touched by your selfless act that they gave me the middle name Quinn, hoping that I would have the same charity that you so effortlessly exemplified. I grew up knowing that my name stood for goodness, and was so proud of sharing my names' roots that my college roommates started calling me Heather Paint-Store McKee!

After being married and having two adorable and feisty little boys of my own, I am expecting my first daughter who will be born this fall. I've known her name since long before I ever knew I'd be blessed with a daughter. She'll be named after me, but mostly after you: her name will be Quinn.

All my life I've wondered about you and why you did what you did. Maybe you respected the devotion in my parents' eyes, or recognized that as teenage parents (albeit, married already 2 years at that point!) they needed all the help in the world. Maybe you had once been a young, poor parent on the receiving end of an act of goodness, or maybe you hadn't, and charity was just as much a part of your being as your dark hair and brown eyes. I really don't know. But there is one thing I do know for sure and one thing I would like to say: 1. the Quinn name will always be held with respect in our home, and 2. thank you so much for doing what you did.

Once little Miss Quinn is here I'll be sure to send you pictures. I'm sure she'll be just as delightful as her brothers, although let's all pray that she's a little less rambunctious! And just FYI, upon finding your name and address online I called my parents, married over 30 years by this point, and asked them to verify that I had found the right Quinn. Without hesitation my Mom said, "Yes! That is it! That is the place!" We spent the next few minutes reflecting on good people and good memories.

Yours Truly and SO Many Thanks,

Heather Quinn Wigginton

***

I've been trying to reach the Quinn's since April (when I wrote the letter) to no avail. I was fearful that we'd never re-connect, even though I wanted so badly to tell them about how our Miss Quinn is coming and the goodness that came from their actions. Well, just a few weeks ago my parents were visiting family in Washington and adventured over to Whidbey Island (near the Navy base where I was born) and hunted down that Quinn paint store. And guys, it was still there! My parents met the son of the man who gave them free paint so many years ago, told him the whole story, and they even took a picture because, as our new Mr. Quinn friend said, "Of course, we're family!" Gosh. My heart has been so happy to pass on the name Quinn in general, but now, oh now...well let's just say there have been a lot of happy tears! I finally was able to send my letter, so now I wanted to share it with everyone else. And just for the this story couldn't possibly be more perfect record, in our email exchange Mr. Quinn offered to supply and send all the paint Ms. Quinn will need for her nursery. I know, right? I hope he wasn't too disappointed when I told him that his namesake may just be sleeping under the dining room table!!!