Mommy, Daddy, and Baby Girl

Evan and Gavin meeting Evie

Wed night after Brian picked up the boys from day care he brought them to the hospital to meet their little sister. I made sure she was in her crib as the boys walked in the room since they haven't seen me in over 24 hours. They saw me first and ran over to me to give me a hug and kiss. Right after they noticed the crib and went right over to it. We told them that their baby sister is here. I picked her up and sat on the couch with the boys. They were very interested and curious. We made sure they were gentle with her. It was amazing to us how quickly the boys took to her. We'd like to think that they really to understand. The baby "bought" them a gift so Brian gave them the presents to open. They both got Buzz Lightyear stuffed animals. Brian said they are a hit and that the boys have been sleeping with them each night since they got them. We couldn't be more proud of the boys and how they have handled learning they have a new sister. The true test will be once she goes home and they realize she is staying. Stay tuned...

Our little Nugget

Happy Birthday Evelyn "Eve" GraceAnn

We were both nervous, excited, anxious, scared, pretty much any emotion you can think of. The country music (by my request) was playing and the Dr's were moving about, doing their job, while having fun during the process. This actually made me feel more at ease. Every so often I'd feel nauseous and I'd tell the anestesiologist...she would then put something in my IV to counter-act the feeling. After a bit I asked her when the Dr. was going to cut and she said that he already had 4 minutes ago. I was amazed! I thought for sure I'd feel something, pressure or something, but apparently I didn't because I had no clue. I looked at Brian wide-eyed and he was looking at me the same way. We were holding hands the whole time and chatted about how soon she'd be here. The Dr. said it was going to take a tad longer than usual because I had scar tissue inside from the boys c section. Not a surprise to me since I scar very easily. After a few more minutes the anestesiologist told Brian to get his camera ready and told me that I'd feel some pressure in a little bit. I knew at this point she was going to arrive because Allison prepped me earlier in the day that once I felt pressure they would be pulling her out. All of a sudden we heard a small cry and I said "is that her?" The Dr. said "yes it is!" Brian, whom was scared to see my insides, jumped up with excitement to see her. I said "Brian sit down so you don't see anything to make you sick." He said "I'm not looking at that...just our daugther!" He was like a little kid with excitement - it was adorable! He bent down to kiss me and I told him to go follow her as they were cleaning her up. Off he went to watch her and take pics. They cleaned her up and did her footprints - all the while she was yelling at them. I kept saying "awe! I hear you! I'll see you soon!" The Nurse wrapped her up and brought her to me. (The Dr's were at this point sewing me back up.) She laid her on my chest so that I could see her. I gave her a few kisses and talked to her to help calm her down. I was in love instantly! She was here! 9 months of sacrifices were well, well, worth it! She's more perfect that I imagined her to be. The Nurse then had to take her to the post-op room and Brian went with them. I was still being worked on....again longer than usual due to scar tissue. After what felt like 2 hours, but was probably about 10-15 mins, they told me they were done and congratulated me. I thanked them all for such a great experience. The Dr's left the room and the Nurses lifted me onto another table in order to wheel me to the post-op room with Brian. As soon as I saw him he was smiling from ear to ear and holding our baby girl. He said "Chris, forget you....she now has me wrapped around her finger - already!" I laughed....she's already "Daddy's little girl!" We had to stay in the room for about an hour so that I could be monitored. I was starting to get some feelings back but not completely - that would be about 3 more hours or so. Brian and I spent most of that hour taking pictures and texting all our family and friends to announce her arrival. Once the hour passed I was wheeled out of post-op and we saw my parents in the waiting room. My Mom ran over to us and was crying. She couldn't wait to get her hands on her. Dad was not far behind and he was smiling as he looked at his newest Grandchild. The Nurse took us up to my room that I'd be in for the next 4 nights. We got all set up for my little "hotel stay." Soon after Corinne and the girls arrived to meet the baby and then Dana. I was SOOO Happy that I was able to experince this time in a pleasant way....sooo different than with the boys. I was so scared that I'd be sick, out of it, blurred vision, etc and not want anyone there. But the Dr's did such a great job to make sure that I experienced a c section the way a c section is supposed to be. Melissa, the boys day care provider, Face Timed with us so that the boys could see their sister. It was awesome!!! Such a great idea! The boys were sooo excited and kept saying "baby!" About 2 hours later Brian had to leave to go pick up the boys from Melissa's. He took them home to feed them dinner and then Mom & Dad went over to put them to bed so that Brian could come back to the hospital to spend time with me and his little girl. Wow! What a GREAT DAY!!!! Our precious little girl was finally in our arms. Our Evelyn GraceAnn is here!!!! Born 2/25/14 at 11:52am 7 lbs 4 oz and 19 1/4"

Daddy in his scrubs

The day is finally here!

Yesterday morning, Tuesday Feb 25th, was the day! The day we have been waiting for....our lil Nugget's birthday was here. We all woke up at normal time and we drove the boys to Day Care. They were so cute when we dropped them off. They were all smiles and excited. I'm not sure if it was because both Mommy & Daddy were dropping them off or because they knew what a special day it was going to be. We gave them kisses and hugs and said Daddy would pick them up today. As Brian and I drove away we discussed how we left her house as parents of 2 and when he was to pick them up later we'd be parents of 3. Crazy! We then went to the hospital to check in at 9am. It was a super smooth process! We filled out additional paperwork and then the Nurse escorted us upstairs to the pre-op room. We both got changed - Brian in his scrubs and I in my gown. We sat in that room for the next 2 hours. We met all the Dr's, Nurses, and techs that would be working with us. Everyone was great and explained the process to us completely. I was really nervous the whole morning because I was so afraid that they wouldn't be able to get the spinal in me (like last time) and they would have to put me under. I really didn't want that at all! I so much wanted to have a normal c section! I wanted Brian with me in the room to hold my hand throughout the procedure. Brian did a great job of keeping me calm. I knew with him by my side everyting would be ok, no matter what was to happen. We tried to make light of the situation and were cracking jokes with one another etc. At 11:00 they were ready for us. The Nurse came in to get us. It was funny because I just laid on the table, she jokingly said "I'm not gonna carry you." HAHA! We all laughed...I didn't realize I was to walk to the OR....I thought I was being pushed in on the table. (Again SOOO different than our last experience.) We all walked to the OR and Brian was told to wait until I was set up. We kissed each other and exchanged our looks of "oh boy I hope they allow you in the room this time!" As I walked into the room I was freezing! The room was cold but my nerves were going crazy which made me even more cold. The Nurses could tell I was nervous so they were exchaning small talk with me and I tried to be nice and answer them but was sooo nervous. The Anasteiologist was fantastic! She got the spinal in me on the 1st try! Of course it hurt like crazy but I didn't care because I knew it was working and Brian would be allowed in the room. Yeah! They laid me down to finish prepping me. I asked when Brian could come in and they said once the curtain was up. I started to go numb and it was a really strange feeling. From the chest down I was numb. My body was limp. I could feel them moving me around and it felt like I weighted 1,000 lbs as they moved me. Such a weird sensation! Dr. Colella came in the room and was super nice, as he usally is. He made me feel calm. He asked me what kind of music I liked and I told him Country. He was excited because he apparently likes that too. So he put it on and I immediately felt like I was a patient on Grey's Atamony. LOL! Then I turned my head and Brian was walking in. YEAH!!!! SOOOOO excited that it was working out the way it's supposed to. Whew! He sat down next to me and we exchanged looks of love and a kiss as we awaited the delivery of our lil Nugget.

Last night as a Momma of 2

This time tmr night I will be a Momma of 3. It's so hard to believe!!! For the past 2 1/2 years these two little boys have been the center our world. It's crazy to think that in less than 24 hours we will have another beautiful baby to love. We are so excited to meet her and for Evan and Gavin to be big brothers.

Week 39

This weeks tests

On Wed I had my weekly non-stress test, ultra sound and Dr. appt. During the non-stress I did have one contraction that went off the chart. The Nurse asked if I felt it and I said "not really." She laughed at me. I said "yea, I know, I was 8 centimeters and Evan's feet were out and I said my pain level was at a 5." Other than the one contraction the non-stress test went well. The ultra sound was cool...got to see her beautiful little face. She was practice breathing and sticking out her tongue. She was pretty much bent in half because she was holding her ankle. Guess she's running out of space...?? The Dr. said all was going well, that all the tests looked good, and he didn't have any concerns. He said "see ya next week for the c section - if not before." Wow..we are soo close!

Week 38

Week 37

Gavin

Gavin was all about the camera tonight.  Evan on the other hand wouldn't look up to smile for any pictures.

3D ultrasound and non-stress test

Yesterday I had my 36 week Non-stress test and Ultra-sound. Due to my age these tests are required because as you get older the less amnotic fluid you have. These tests are done to make sure I have enough to go to full term. If not, they will schedule a c section earlier. I will have these tests done weekly until I'm due. This week's test was fine. I did have 2 contractions during the non-stress but the Nurse said I probably just need to drink more water. The ultra sound was great because it was the 1st time I could see Nugget in 3D. I didn't make it this far in the pregnancy with the boys so I wasn't able to see them in 3D. I was amazed! She looks so much like the boys! She has their nose - which Brian says is my nose. I can also see Charlotte in her. Corinne texted me a bunch of pics of Char when she was a baby and they do look alike! So cool! I crack up at the 2nd picture of Nugget because it's like she's annoyed that the ultrasound tech was pushing her around to get a better view. It's so cool to see this view of her because now we can visulize her a little more. I can't wait until next week's test!

Week 36