The story of Zoe

I wanted to create a place to share some pictures and video of our little Miss Zoe Elise.

I'll update this regularly, so please feel free to check back often!
And if you want any of these images, all you have to do is ask (or right click, 'Save Image").

With love,
-Proud Papa Bernat

Thursday 8/14/2014

A quiet, reflective time on the difficulties of the past two years and all that has led up to this.

The news of Zoe's breech presentation was difficult for Lori at first, but she is incredibly strong (as you will come to see) and knew this was the right decision for Mama and Baby.

I love this picture.

The night before...

Friday 8/15/2014

We woke up early.  I suppose we should've known our last, great night of sleep would've come Wednesday as the reality of Friday morning's activities were a bit overwhelming Thursday night.

We drove to the hospital and parked.  Walked in and got situated.  Lori was extremely brave and, though she claims she was trembling, stayed strong throughout.  And before we knew it...Lori was being wheeled into the delivery room at 9:03am.

They came and got me at 9:15am and I took a seat next to Lori, who was doing great and holding strong.

At 9:20am Lori let out a winded "UGH" like she was punched in the stomach...and the 12 or so people in the room clucked in reverent wonder as our baby was born.  

9:20am

9:21am.  

Zoe Elise Bernat is presented to a stunned father.  The doctor holding her said, "Did you bring a camera?"  My mind was, at that very moment, circling the cosmos and I had to forcibly get my wits about me enough to remember that the thing in my hand was, indeed, a camera.  

Camera or not, I will never forget this moment as long as I live.

9:22am

Can.  You.  Believe it?

I was torn, as the doctors measured her (18 inches), weighed her (6.1 lbs), and performed the Apgar (she scored a 9) I knew that behind me was a very scared, very awake woman who had just delivered this little angel...who was also very scared.  Very awake.

And both needed me by their side.

Welcome to the mind of a father, folks.  There's no turning back.

Providence St. Joe Hospital is "baby friendly" which means baby is with Mom or Dad 100% of the time, skin-to-skin whenever possible.  She was never removed from our sight in the 4 days were were in hospital.

Exhausted Mama Lori in her proudest moment

Zoe at 30 minutes old

This is about where Gmail crashed on my phone.  I had enough time to send out a quick, "She's perfect, tell you more later" email to our immediate families, but the follow up email (including the picture, above) got wedged in the outbox and I was unable to send any future communications for the next several hours.

I had Lori's Blackberry and shotgunned an email to our friends and family from her account while my phone re-started itself again and again, doing the Android equivalent of those skater kids who fall off a rail and hit their head on the cement.  

But I digress.

We were moved from recovery up to the 4th floor, where we would live for the next 4 days.  Easily the most expensive hotel room I've ever been in.  

The next 4 days were a lot of bonding, a lot of learning (holy steep learning curve, Batman) and not a whole lot of sleeping.

The view from our room.

Zoe loves to hold hands

Lori is smiling because (a) she's eating real human food the same day she had a major operation and (b) synthetic morphine.  Oh, and (c) the little angel in the bassinet who, despite appearances, is not currently on (b). 

Zoe's first selfie.

The nurse who double-swaddled her deserves an award.  I can't even wrap Xmas presents so I was hopeless when it came to securing a squirming newborn's arms and legs in a towel.

Thank God they have Velcro swaddles. 

The hospital room had a window seat which converted into a bed.  Zoe loves tummy time and we spent countless hours doing this.  If there is a Heaven, I think it might be a window seat on the 4th floor of Providence St. Joe's with my healthy, beautiful infant daughter on my tummy.

Sunday  8/17/14

Want to fall in love?  Click the video, I dare you.

Toldja.

Those dark, indigo blue eyes just kill me.

Is she breathing?   Yes. 

Wait -- is she breathing?  Yes.

Repeat.

Probably a gas bubble, but we saw it as Zoe's first smile.

Staged pic.  

That's not even a real baby.  Only the sock monkey is real.

Monday, 8/18/14

Time to go.  Grandma and Grandpa Bernat arrive from Vermont and immediately fall in love.

So then we came home.

Zoe's first trip in the car...lights out.

Lots of quality time with Grandma and Grandpa.

...and an occasional bath.

That's it for now -- please check back later for more pics!