Apr 4, 2012

Amazed

My actual due date for baby #2 was April 1 but after we met with our doctor on Monday, we scheduled an induction for Friday - if we made it that long. A Friday induction meant we had to be at the hospital Thursday night so my parents helped us out and let Sweet P spend the night with them.

It also meant that Wednesday night was the last night my family of three would be together, just the three of us and it would be the last night my Sweet P would be the only child in the house. We wanted to make the evening special so we took her to Incredible Pizza and had a celebrate P party.

ag1

She got to eat whatever she wanted, which consisted of cheese pizza and crackers, rode rides and stayed up late.

ag2

She was celebrated.

The next day we enjoyed some donuts and dropped her off at my parent's house later that evening. Then it was time to go to the hospital.

ag3

I wasn't induced with Sweet P and let me just say, it was very surreal. Not having any real signs of labor but going to the hospital, knowing the next day there will be a tiny baby in my arms - so strange.

Anyway, we got checked in, settled in our room and I got hooked up to all kinds of monitors. As it turned out, I was already dilated and having contractions, I just thought they were braxton hicks contractions.

ag4

A few hours went by an as my labor progressed, I was entertained by visitors and the sister-cousins.

ag5

A couple of hours later, the doctor came in and had to break my water (too much info? sorry) and then 30 minutes after that the nurse said the baby would be here in 30 minutes.

What!? They had just told me it would be anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. Crazy!

Anyway, the nurse had me give a big push and then she called the doctor in.

ag6

Five minutes later the doctor arrived and 2 pushes later, he held my baby up and announced that we had a GIRL!

My little, 7 pound, 14 ounce Ava Grace.

ag26

The nurse placed her in my arms and I just sat there, amazed.

ag7

I had been worried I wouldn't be able to love her as much as my first or that I would love my first less somehow to make room to love another. I guess the Lord just made my heart bigger because I felt more love in that moment than I've ever felt. More love for Ava, my Sweet P and my husband - all at the same time.

I will never forget that moment.

ag8
ag9
ag10
ag11


After they cleaned her up, Eric went and told our family the news.

ag12
ag13

Then he brought Sweet P in to meet her sister for the first time.

ag15
ag16
ag17

Once we had some time alone as our new family of four, the rest of the family came in to meet our girl and share in our excitement.

ag14
ag19
ag18
ag20
ag21
ag23
ag22
ag24
ag27
ag28
ag29
ag30
ag31


I thank God for the blessings of two healthy girls, a strong husband that stands by me through it all and a big ol family ready and waiting to celebrate new life.

Happy Birth Day Ava Grace.

ag32

You are loved.

ag33

ag25

Aren't the pictures AMAZING!? Yes, I know, I am very lucky to have Ashley as my sister and so very thankful for her to spend the day in a hospital to capture these moments for me. I will forever cherish these pictures and the memories you captured so beautifully. Thank you - times a gazillion!

34 comments:

  1. This post took me back (three of our four births were induced)... never TMI... love every bit of someone's birth story... beautiful! It is almost surreal isn't it? Congratulations!!! Much love to your & yours!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, it really was so different. I was glad we decided to wait on finding out the sex so there was some unknown & anticipation left!

      Delete
  2. Oh my! These pictures are amazing! The ones of Sweet P meeting Ava made me tear up, as I just learned I will be having #2! Thank you for sharing your beautiful family with us

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is so beautiful, I almost cried! I just recently found out I'm pregnant with my first baby and I hope I get a few pictures like this of our special moments!! :) Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations, Amber! What an exciting time!

      Delete
  4. What a great baby story! I love the idea of telling everyone the sex. Congratulations over and over! The pictures are amazing as well!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, you made me CRY!!!! :) Happy, thankful tears. Children are so, so, so wonderful! And, yes! More love than ever before for SweetP, Ava, and your husband - that's exactly it! It just wells up so big!

    ReplyDelete
  6. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing these sweet memories, and especially for the part about your heart growing... it is good to know He makes a way. :) Love that last picture of Ashley & Ava (Ava's expression especially!) :) Congratulations again!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! That picture of my sister & daughter is pretty special to me.

      Delete
  7. Having a hard time holding back the tears at work! Beautiful little girls and what a wonderful family!

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh so sweet i love how he told everyone the gender by popping the blue balloon! ava grace looks so much like sweet p! may you enjoy every minute with your family of four!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, that was all daddy's idea! Four is pretty awesome already!

      Delete
  9. So special!! I think every mom feels that way (about not being sure how you will love both kids). I know I did, and you're right - your heart gets bigger. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's amazing how fast it happens too! Just bam! A whole lot more love all at once.

      Delete
  10. She is so so sweet, and does look so much like Sweet P! Congratulations. And yes, the photos are amazing, I'm pretty jealous that Ashley is your sister. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. WOW! Amazing! I have lots of tears in my eyes after reading this! So beautiful! I remember the same feelings when our #2 was born. It is such an amazing and overwhelming feeling. And, at the same time, it feels strangely calm and familiar. So awesome! Glory to God! Praise Him for a healthy baby! Congratulations to you all :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's exactly right, amazing, overwhelming, calm and familiar all at the same time. Nothing compares. And yes, our healthy baby is an answered prayer and true blessing from God. Thank you so much!

      Delete
  12. So beautiful!! I think your husband has his hands full with those two sweet little girls!! God is Good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Molly! You are so right! He's already so protective of his girls. They will be trouble!

      Delete
  13. Oh man, seeing Paisley hug Ava brought tears to my eyes! That is the only that makes me sad that Kiera doesn't have a sibling!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ava looks so much like Paisley. How fun to have a house full of girls now! These pictures brought tears to my eyes...dang it, now I want to have another baby! :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sweetest. Pics. Ever.
    Ava - you are so blessed with this loving family. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. congrats on your new beautiful baby girl~ I love the story~ thanks for sharing! I also love her name :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've lurked around your blog for a couple of years now, but just wanted to say congratulations on the new baby girl. She's so gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congrats on your beautiful baby girl!! Ava is precious. Enjoy your two girls. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. hopping over from Ashley's blog. Your family is so so beautiful! This made me cry. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  20. YAY YAY YAY! another sweet sweet girl!!

    there is nothing like the bond of sisterhood ~ which i'm sure you already know a thing or two about. smile!

    a big CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    ReplyDelete

I know it can be a little scary but go on, I'd love to hear from you!