Our Daughter: Olivia Dale Setzer

I had no idea when I posted last that the next day I would be having the baby!!! Olivia is such a blessing, but of course newborns take lots of care so my posting is behind. =) Trevor took me to the hosp. the morning of Feb. 12 to see if the doctors would be able to turn our baby since she was still breech (we didn't know it was a girl yet!). However, the monitor showed I was in labor and so the version is contraindicated in labor...Dr. Golden said, "so we need to have a c-section"...the tone in her voice made us ask, "Do you mean today?" and she said Yes! Trevor told me later he got really "warm" all over and felt he was going to cry or pass out...but he took a deep breath and called our parents to let them know and was a great support for me. The staff at the hosp. were all great and explained everything to me that was taking place. I was a little nervous about the c-section, but thankfully it all went well.

Olivia Dale Setzer was born 2/12/09 at 12:36 pm. 6 lb 3 oz and 20.5 in. Her head was definitely "wedged" inside me so the doctor said she wouldn't have turned anyway. Right when she came out they did suction her and help her breath a few seconds, but she pinked right up and started to cry. Having the "drape" in front of me while lying on the OR table I couldn't see what was happening, so I remember saying "I don't hear her"...they let me know they were helping her breath a little, so I was certainly praying she was fine...several emotions all in a few seconds taking place....Trevor leaned down to tell me "It's a GIRL" when she came out and I was sooooo surprised!! So many people told me I was having boy, so that made me feel we were. We are very happy to have a daughter and thankful she is healthy!

The worst part after the c-section was the itching I had as a side effect from the spinal medication...so thankful when that was over by lunch the next day. Yes, it was difficult getting out of bed the first time, but no where near as bad as after my car accident! I am recovering well. We are both so thankful for this time out of work to adjust to parenthood.

We were blessed to have my parents stay with us a week after she was born. It's wonderful living here in Myrtle Beach with part of the Setzer family and two girl cousins are here for Olivia to grow up with. Our church family has been very caring and we appreciate all the calls, emails, visits, gifts for Olivia and the great food. We are so blessed in many ways!

I have been able to breastfeed Olivia so far...a challenge at times, but I know it's very benefical for her and me in many ways, so I am trying my best to stick with it. She has grown well for her first month (wow, already one month old!). She is now about 6 1/2 lbs (up from her wt. loss to 5 1/2 lbs after birth), head 14.5 in, and length 21.25 in.

We were able to visit my sister Martha's family last weekend, so the new cousins got to meet. It was a lot of fun being with everyone-just really tiring traveling with a newborn, so we didn't even leave the house Tues. after we got home Mon. night.

Monday we were able to visit my friends Dan & Cindy Gurley. Cindy has been fighting cancer for about 9 years. She is at home right now and hospice has been helping some, esp. with her pain meds and trying to get them adjusted for her. It meant a lot for them to meet Olivia. Cindy has been such a great friend and really like a "second mom" to me. We are praying for her to have pain relief, rest and peace. Olivia also got to meet her Great Grandmother, Pauline Faircloth. Grandmother made us a delicious dinner Mon.-very sweet of her and her husband Oliver.

Trevor's uncle, Curtis, has also been fighting cancer and is not doing well. It seems he is at the end of this life. We are trying to make plans to go and be with the Setzer family during this time of grief. I pray the Setzer family feels God's love and peace during this time and for safety for all those traveling in the next few days.