Blessings of a Butterfly

Arrival

It all felt very planned which was a new feeling for us when it came to the birth of a child. Renn’s arrival was shocking, early and involved a bit of chaos. The fact that this time I was packed for over 8 weeks, was able to shower, curl my hair and apply make-up the morning of our daughters birth was a bit odd. Eric and I drove TOGETHER to the hospital at 5:45 a.m. on February 16th as we were SCHEDULED for an 8:00 a.m. c-section. The hospital check-in was easy and the room we waited in felt like a hotel room with an incredibly nice bathroom. As 8:00 a.m. grew closer the doctor came in and asked if I would be okay if someone went ahead of me? The people scheduled for a 10 a.m. c-section were having some complications. Of course I wasn’t going to say “no”. Therefore I laid back, closed my eyes and took a nap. Seriously, very odd!

Around 9:30 a.m. they came in and got me and I walked to the surgery area. The surgery part of the process was definitely not pleasant but if it was going to equal the arrival of our daughter then I was up for it. Our anesthesiologist was great and worked with me as I wasn’t interested in being over medicated. Last time that did not bode well for me. While it felt to me like surgery took forever our little girl, Avery Elizabeth arrived at 10:02 a.m. She weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces and was 18 ½ inches long. All was well. After I was put back together again and all sewn up we were taken to our real room. The texts, calls and facebook updates began. If there was a bummer part to the whole thing it was due to the fact that I went with a lower dosage of pain meds during surgery my recovery process was filled with some extra pain. They kept telling me the best thing I could do was walk. Ug, was that misery but I made myself do it! There is not one part of me that would ever recommend a c-section to anyone.

On day two and three of AEB’s life we got some news. Not fun news. The hospital pediatrician was hearing a heart murmur that concerned him. She had also lost the maximum amount of weight allowed. She was down to 7 pounds 2 ounces. The doctor wanted to run several tests on her heart some of which wouldn’t be able to be performed till 3 a.m. They also said that if she didn’t gain weight at her next weigh in she would need to remain in the hospital. At this point we became naturally scared, worried, nervous and more. There was no way I was leaving the hospital without my little girl! We are very thankful for our family and church family who began praying!!!

Then the good news came. AEB did gain an ounce, which was enough. And the news on her heart came back. One of her valves basically over closed and was regurgitating. They told us to have our own pediatrician monitor the situation and refer us to a cardiologist if the problem continues. All this news meant that we would be heading home with our little girl and be able to see our little guy who had been with family and friends for four days.

Once we were settled at home Renn was dropped off by his Graca grandparents. He greeted his baby sister with joy and we have now begun the process of becoming a family of four.

It was the best executed plan. We are so happy Avery Elizabeth is here. Going to go snuggle with her now.

Ahhh...the room!

Decsion making is not my forte! It was tough to figure out which direction to go with Renn's room and now that we know it is a girl the daunting task of room direction is in front of me.

Luckily, I knew I am not a pinky pinky person so I wasn't going to go that route. So after looking at some web-sites and pictures I decided to go with our wedding colors (dusty rose, chocolate and ivory). The walls are dusty rose, the carpet is a shaggy chocolate, and everything else was going to be ivory. But, I hit a bit of a snag and couldn't find what I wanted furniture wise in ivory so now I have switched to all white. An antique store in Chandler, Arizona has been my savior! I have pretty much furnished the whole room from there and etsy.com. Oh, and then there is the one non-white piece. A precious bench I found at The Red Door (antique store) in Pinetop, Arizona. Pictures will follow soon - once I have a few more pieces in place. To be honest it is a room I would loved to have had or even have now. Isn't that what we get to do with our daughters? I love everything about it and sometimes just find myself sitting on the floor in there - dreaming and praying for her. I can't wait for her to enjoy it!

The wait is over!

Once people found out I was pregnant the question was automatically about boy or girl. And of course the answer is "I will be happy either way." And I truly believe I would have been. I was excited about him having a little boy buddy so close in age to him. And then the idea of a girl...well seems girly and fun!

The day we were scheduled to find out the gender is simply a day of anticipation. At the ultra sound appointment not only are they looking for gender they are looking for good health and development factors in the baby. When we went to this appointment with Renn gender was the 1st thing Eric noticed. At this appointment the nurse was saving it for the end. We went through all the measurements of head, arms, chest, legs and all was looking great. As she reached the point in which we would be able to tell what the gender was I can honestly say Eric and I both thought what we saw was a boy but, the nurse announced it was a "girl!".

We were and are thrilled. And then of course it hit me! my checkbook better start running now!

Who knew?

We had a good ole fashion regular doctors apt. today. Nothing too new. Heartbeat 155. Eric and I used the waiting for the doctor time simply to talk and catch up on life, who knew waiting for a doctor was good for something. It was great! I am really ready to be done having smells or news stories set me off. NEXT WEEK...we are supposed to find out boy or girl? I am ready to know.

Made Me!

Today I bought something at the grocery I have NEVER bought, but always wanted to. Nutty Bars! Those waffle wafers with peanut butter and covered in chocolate. I devoured one as I drove out of the parking lot. Can I please blame this on the baby on the way. I swear the box was talking to me in the store...SWEAR!