A Baby Story.....Welcome Ava!

Our Princess has arrived.....

She was born (one week ago today) April 13th, at 3:32 PM.

She weighed 6 lbs 12 oz and measures 20 1/2 inches long.

I made it to my scheduled induction date, which was ironically, Chris's Grandfather's birthday. He was married to his Grandma Argie and we are using her name Argia, as Ava's middle name so it was an extra special day for us!

Our day began by arriving at the hospital at 6AM. They got me in my room right away, had me undress and got the IV started. My doctore came in right around 8AM and checked my cervix, I was still 2CM at that point. I was told I could get my epidural after any cervical change which I was happy about. My contractions started slowly after that but were not to uncomfortable. I was checked again around lunchtime and was at 4CM so they sent for the epidural. I just then started to feel a little more pain, so it was perfect timing!

Once I had the epidural administered, I was very content. My parents and Chris's Dad and fiancee Thelma were there and they all came in and we just sat around and talked. The nurse came in to check me every so often and kicked everyone out, except Chris. When I got to around 6-7 CM and they wanted me to get a little rest. Everyone went downstairs for lunch and I tried to take a little nap, but never did fall asleep. My doctor came in once again to see me, then everyone came back from lunch and about an hour or so later. I started to feel some contractions on my right side so I asked the nurse if they could do anything for me. They called the anestesia and they came to give me a little top off of medication. That really didn't help so I think little Ava might have been on a nerve or something. Right around that time my BF Amy brought Aiden to the hospital. (he had been at school most of the day) He came in to see me and seemed very excited! I didn't want to scare him but he did fine with seeing me.

The next time they checked me I was 9CM, they started setting up everything and sent everyone out except Chris and my Mom and it was time to push! The delivery itself, was a bit more painful than I remember with Aiden. I pushed for 25 minutes which does not seem like a long time but did feel like forever at the time. I just remember talking the entire time while delivering Aiden (he weighed 8 lbs at birth) and this time around I wasn't talking, everyone else was and at one point I wanted to scream for everyone to shut up. (but, I didn't)I just tried to totally focus on seeing that little face.

Once she finally came out, they laid her on my chest and she decided to pee all over me!!!!! LOL! Sure hope that is not a sign of things to come. I didn't care one bit, that was the moment I had waited for and I just can't even put the emotions into words. It's just instant unconditional LOVE! They took her over to get her weighed and cleaned up and took care of me.

Once everything was put back into place, Chris went to get Aiden and we had a few minutes alone, we wanted to have family time before having anyone else in the room. Aiden was adorable and wanted to take Ava home right away! I was just so happy that he reacted the way he did, I expected a little jealousy but he was perfect! After that everyone else came to meet her. It was a wonderful day!

We spent Monday and Tuesday night at the hospital. Chris stayed with me and Aiden was home with my parents. We finally brought our little bundle of joy home on Wednesday.

Since then, things are going great! The first night was a little rough, we were tired and Ava likes to be cuddled so she didn't care much for sleeping in her bassinet. We found the next day that she is comfortable in one of her bouncer chairs so she has been sleeping in there and we are all getting rest! We took her to her first peditrician appt on Friday and she is doing great! I asked if it was okay to have her sleeping in the bouncer and the Doctor said that is fine for now if that is where she is comfortable. She is eating every 3-4 hours and burping great. We were a little afraid she might have reflux like her brother but so far we don't think that will be an issue. We did change her formula to soy at the hospital which was also the case with Aiden. She is tolerating it well. She likes to sleep and rarely cries. The only time she gets upset is when she is getting her diaper changed or she is hungry.

I am feeling GREAT! My parents stayed through Saturday and were such a huge help. Chris's Mom came up on Saturday and stayed the night. Last night was our first night without company. It was nice, we are just getting to know her and adjusting to life with two little ones! So far, so good!