Right on time - HE'S ALMOST HERE!!!

Little baby Studley is on his way: Ambrosia's water broke late this afternoon and after some patient waiting they left for the hospital at 10:05 PM.

Pictures coming soon...

~Auntie Angelique

Farmer's Market

Spencer and Gwen broke in my wheelchair before I got home. Gwen is getting soooo big. In this photo she is wearing the dress she wore at Thanksgiving, but with pants because it fits her more like a shirt!





Saturday we all went to the Farmer's Market like we always do. It was a bit of a bumpy ride (my wheelchair needs shocks!), but a very enjoyable outing. We even had breakfast at The Palace Cafe (mmm...blueberry pancakes). Gwen had fun playing with her Auntie Angelique who was pretending that her knee was a horse, and her hands the reins while she sang theme song to Bonanza. Someone asked Angel and I if we were twins...and I can see why from these photos!

Home Sweet Home

I got home Thursday 1/8 and boy is it sweet to be home! I didn't realize how small and drab my world had become over the past 2.5 weeks. Outside the hospital life is going on- people are doing things, and there is color. My house seems so vibrant, with its red couch and shiny hardwood floors, green plants, and holiday decorations. The ramp into the house works great, and the living room and kitchen are totally accessible with the wheelchair. The bedrooms are a bit difficult, but with my walker I can hop all around the house. The bathroom is a bit tight, but works. It is so nice to be with Gwen and Spencer (and my sister Angelique who is staying with us for 2 weeks). Being home is great, but comes with its own frustrations. It is heartbreaking to hear Gwen cry, and not be able to go to her; though I am so happy to be able to nurse her, and my supply seems to be keeping up with her demand. I feel bad not being able to help out around the house. I suppose I should enjoy this time and the opportunity to be leisurely as I lie on the couch, but I would really rather be helping out. It is really hard to accept that you don't have control of things in your own home. I am trying to relax and let go, and focus on healing, loving my family, and enjoying all our great friends.

Multitasking Mama

Ambrosia has resumed her normal breastfeeding schedule thanks to her safe pain meds (the same ones they give to c-section mamas after birth), her very supportive family, and Ambrosia's unwavering determination. Only the 24 hours after surgery had to be thrown out due to pain meds. Now Gwen visits twice a day for direct breastfeeding, and receives breast milk in between at home (from a bottle). Her right arm has limited use and her left rib is still very sore, but Gwen and mama have found a position that works.

Here's Ambrosia breastfeeding while a continuous motion machine performs physical therapy on her left leg to speed recovery:

Happy Reunion!

Today Ambrosia was released from Oakland Kaiser and admitted to the Kaiser rehab center in San Leandro (510-481-8575). It is finally safe for visits from Gwen, here's the happy mommy + baby we all love:



Ambrosia is making a lot of progress in PT. It is safe for her to stand on her right leg and while her rib injury makes it a little difficult she hopes to be able to hold a crutch under her left arm soon. Here she is practicing standing with the left arm/right leg:

Surgery was a success! (and Merry Christmas!)

Ambrosia's knee and collarbone surgery was a complete success, and the surgeon is very optimistic about her recovery.







If you would like to help by providing a meal, please check out the online sign up sheet Alex made:

http://www.sstudley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Meals



User name: meals

Password: meals


If you'd like to call Ambrosia and wish her a Merry Christmas you can reach her on her cell or through the receptionist at Oakland Kaiser Hospital: (510) 251-0121

The Studleys Are ALIVE!

So this happened:

Spencer is fine. Gwen is fine. Ambrosia will be fine...soon*:

Ambrosia had surgery on her leg and clavicle today at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland (feel free to visit!). She was transferred there from Santa Clara yesterday so she could be seen by Kaiser's best Bay Area bone surgeon. Within a week or so she will be back home, but due to the extent of her injuries she will need A LOT of support caring for herself and Gwen.



Spencer is doing the best he can to take care of Gwen while mommy gets better with the help of family and friends (Grandma Sandee is there this week and next; Auntie Angelique arrives on the 4th). The next 4 - 6 weeks will be a very difficult time. Please check this blog frequently for updates on Ambrosia's schedule if you are interested in helping out--while Gwen and Ambrosia's caretaking will be covered we could use a lot of help with meals, shopping, errands, and babysitting as well as moral support. Ambrosia and Spencer are both available on their cell phones if you'd like to arrange a visit.

*UPDATE 12/26: Ambrosia and Spencer were concerned that my diagram of Ambrosia's broken bones would cause a panic because it might be interpreted as if she shattered entire leg bones, when in fact the injury to her femur and tibia were just where they meet the knee. The diagram is supposed to highlight each broken bone, not where it's broken, but whatever: I replaced the original image with a more conservative one. :)

Life of Gwen: Day 2

I think Gwen has a beautiful glow in the pictures below, but the medical professionals had a different diagnosis: newborn jaundice. This is very normal and common, and easily treated by placing her under a special lamp that helps remove the yellow stuff.

Gwen loves a tight burrito wrap, or being held in mommy's arms, but being nearly naked under the jaundice lamp? Not so much. I think I recognize Spencer's chin on this adorably frustrated face...

Finally, some face shots!

Awwww, she has Ambrosia's nose and lips, all on Spencer's round face with Spencer's auburn hair! She's absolutely adorable.

Ambrosia, Spencer and little Gwen are staying the night at the hospital. They can read all of your loving comments using their iphone, keep it up!

Ambrosia is in labor!!!

Apparently Ambrosia has been in a state of mental shock this evening, and it only fleetingly occurred to her that others might like to know the labor cookies (and other efforts) paid off: she's been having contractions for several hours! She called me just at midnight with the passwords to her email and blog so I could update everyone. Our conversation was a mere 4 minutes, with a strong contraction at the beginning and end: A Little Studley is definitely about to arrive!

"But I just saw her at dinner, she seemed fine!" Some of you are thinking. It is true: she had dinner with friends tonight, despite contractions. Ambrosia is highly skilled in the art of maintaining composure, and would never interrupt a quality social gathering for something as trivial as birthing her first child. 

Oh, I kid! She really did go out to dinner and stay mum about her contractions, but things are progressing just the way Ambrosia and Spencer hoped they would--she wanted a relaxed early labor at home and apparently that was accomplished. They headed for the hospital right at midnight, making my niece's birthday guaranteed: 

October 1, 2008!

I am so excited to meet my new niece. Many of you will meet her first, please give her lots of kisses for me!

Much love to my wonderful sister and awesome brother-in-law, I anxiously await pictures!!!

Auntie Angelique

(guest contributor)