Happy New Year and Recap

Well, I've slacked off. Probably because around the time of my last post, I went into early labor for like five days. Here's what has happened since then, as brief as possible.

1. Etienne Ari was born on December 11th at 5:35 PM, 9 pounds 2 ounces. It was an awesome natural unmedicated childbirth. Really really great.

2. Breast feeding nightmare begins. I am determined, even though I'm in excruciating pain all the time and dreading each feeding.

3. I press on. We get ready for Christmas. Candee arrives. Etienne gets to shop at Hermès and eat at Ladurée before he's even 2 weeks old. Excuse me, fancy pants! On the way home, I break out in a horrible fever and go to the ER.

4. I have mastitis, but need confirmation from the doctor in the AM. It is confirmed and then I'm referred to a surgeon because it could be an abscess. Score. (This is Dec. 23.)

4. We have a lovely Christmas Eve brunch at Atlantis.

5. Christmas was great - Julian was SOOO excited. Our friend Jocelyne joined us from Dubai. We had a really nice day (but missed Dad!).

6. I call the doctor because I'm still not feeling better after the antibiotics. Blood test shows that I have a massive infection or three and need to be admitted to the hospital. I go to the hospital (and send Serge, the boys, Mom and Candee to the Burj al Arab for afternoon tea - I knew I wouldn't enjoy myself and would be freaking out to just get treatment started) on Monday afternoon.

7. I stay in the hospital from Monday the 27th until January 1st jacked up to three different antibiotics. As you may or may not know, I cannot stand needles, etc. So as you can imagine, having a heplock/saline lock in my hand (changed three times) and being given the drugs (which caused me to freak out each time they were administered FOUR TIMES A DAY) was not pleasant. Yes, it could be worse. I should probably seek mental help for my phobia. I'll bet the nurses threw a party when I left.

8. I'm home now, still not cured, but hoping for the best. Will be seeing the doctor on Tuesday night to find out if I'm on the road to recovery or the road to surgery. Let's hope for the best!!!

Hope everyone had a happy new year. I know that 2011 will be a great year (even though we have seemingly rowdy neighbors moving in next door) and I send my best to everyone! Will post pictures of the kiddies when I get organized.