This month, our little Avery Jane will be 2 and a half years old. One moment, your baby you've waited a whole 9 months to meet is laying in your arms at a mere 2.5 hours old. And before you know it, they are turning 2.5 years old in the blink of an eye, pursing their lips to beg for some Lipsmackers or begging to go outside and "fwing" (swing!) It's incredibly bittersweet to think about your babies growing up.
I may have taken a hiatus from blogging for a little while shortly after Aves was born, but that hasn't stopped me from reflecting on my baby girl's birth and wanting to document it for a while now. I truly love having these memories to look back on. This story here is for Mommy, Daddy & Baby Avey to look back on and smile :)
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On September 18, 2014 at 38 weeks pregnant, I went into my appointment to hear the doctor say if I didn't have the baby on my own in the next week, one week from that moment, we'd be getting ready for an induction. Ahh! I was scared, nervous, anxious, and of course - beyond excited to meet our sweet baby girl. I left that appointment with Emma and went straight to the store to prepare! I remember buying the girls matching pumpkin onesies, which got me so excited to be a mommy to two little girlies. I bought Emma 'Room on the Broom' book and came home and read to her, thinking about how we had one more week til our lives were all changed - in an amazing way filled with even more love. Their room was all ready for our girlies to share and my heart was so full!
Fast forward one week. No signs of baby coming! We had family in town and I went to my appointment and they scheduled my induction for that night. Holy crap. It became real - real quick! We were this close to meeting our baby girl! I think I was even more nervous than my first delivery!
Just before leaving, I had an ultrasound to check on her size and they so casually threw in a last minute "oh hey, since you had an episiotomy during your first labor and delivery, we suggest a c-section since your within 2 years of your first so the chances are pretty high for another episiotomy. Say whatttt? I'm nervous about giving birth today and you're so casually trying to throw on a c-section on top of those nerves! Come on! They left the choice up to me and I decided to give the ol' natural delivery another go.
Went home to prepare. We decided to bring Emma to the park and eat dinner there as a fun little evening. I could hardly relax but was trying my hardest to just enjoy those moments. Before heading to the hospital, James suggested we take a few pictures before meeting baby girl (my husband suggest pictures? Sure thing! ha..) We had such a sweet little night, despite my nerves! I kissed my Emmy baby 234508 times before leaving that night. She couldn't wait to meet her baby sis!
J and I arrived at the hospital - late, as usual. Me, ready to throw up. Him, ready to eat, sleep, relax, you know.
oh, that nervous smile!
I sat up in the bed, took a few deep breaths and looked around the room. With each of my births, I made sure to take mental note of the room. The very place that my baby would be welcomed into the world. Where she would take her first breath and meet her mommy and daddy for the first time. Oh, I couldn't wait for it to be that moment.
Before I knew it, I was all hooked up, Pitocin was started, and the pain began. I was texting with my sister and cousin in a group text - the two of them totally tricking me. I was giving them the play by play and before I knew it, at a calm moment in the middle of the night - in walks Catherine and Heather and COMPLETELY surprised me! They drove 5 hours in the middle of the night to be at my side and welcome our newest baby girl! I was so excited.
....and then they totally fell asleep, J laid in a chair and started dozing off. And me..my pain grew more and more intense. "Ow, ow, ow, owww" I tried to do one of those whisper cries so not to wake anyone. Until it got to that point.
I think they all jumped up at the same time. They asked what they could do, what I needed, and just held my hands when I needed them. James is my greatest motivator - he constantly whispered in my ear how great I was doing, how he can't wait to meet our baby, how we are about to have TWO babies, how much he loves me, how excited he was. And he rubbed my hair and head so much that he turned my hair into a bird's nest! He rubbed my back and reminded me to breath, breath, breath. "You got this, baby! You're doing so good! Just tell me how I can help!"
I wished so badly that somebody could help me! I opted out of the epidural since I realized after having Emma that it was possible. And in those moments leading up to delivery, oh how badly I wished I just had something. My sister pulled my hair (the nest) back as best she could. Heather may have called out in the hall for a little help here! And pictures - she took the pictures she knew I would want one day. (Thank you!!) The pictures that, while certainly do me no good in the looks department, mean everything to look back on and remember the moments leading up to life's greatest moments - meeting your very own baby.
In all of my insane pain and screaming, I constantly reminded myself in my head just how amazing this all was. How lucky I am to be in this situation. I don't take any of it for granted. I am beyond grateful to have the opportunity to grow a life, to give life, and to be blessed with wonderful babies.
"You can do this," I'd remind myself. I heard it over and over from those surrounding me who loved me...but I had to make myself believe it. I could do it. "Get through this...push..do it..make it happen..and quicker than you did last time!"
After a shift change in the midst of my chaos, the new nurses came in and encouraged me, letting me know we'd be doing this soon...real soon!
I curled myself up to the side of the bed and can't even imagine the look on my face. But I remember the look on Catherine and Heather's faces - they looked slightly terrified! Ha..and worried..and looked around wondering if the nurses were going to give me anything to help me. And when those nurses made that phone call "Delivery in room 1...."
My heart fluttered. My mind wandered. My body geared up. It's time! I will have my tiny baby girl in my arms any moment now. James held my hand tight. Tears snuck out the corners of his eyes.."she's almost here!!" I could hear him laughing, crying, all at the same time. "We see dark hair!" the nurses exclaimed. In my head, I knew that meant I needed to Just. Keep. Going! James held one leg, Catherine held the other, Heather took pictures/recorded video, the nurses and doctor were coaching me..."push, push, push" and counting. The s l o w e s t counting you'll ever hear. And reminding me to take breaths once we got to 10. ....And again. My eyes were closed, my body was stronger than I ever knew it could be. I could not wait to see my baby girl and take her in my arms, lay her on my chest. "Here comes the head! Shoulders...pushhhh!" And I heard a tiny little cry. So soft, so sweet! James in tears "She's here!! Our baby is here!!" And they placed her on my chest. Pure happiness, pure relief, pure LOVE at 7:21 am on September 26, 2014.
I questioned if she was okay. Why wasn't she crying? "Yes, she's perfect! She's so calm and content on you, Momma!"
Everyone asked her name.
"Avery Jane!"
"Hi Sweet Baby! Happy Birthday, my Avery Jane!" I so, so happily said to my baby. And I soaked up every single bit of my first moments with her, chest to chest, heart to heart.
I know just how precious these one-of-a-kind moments are and how much I wish to relive these moments all.the.time.
They took to her get her weight and clean her off a little and Daddy watched and got his moments, too.
"6 pounds, 8 ounces!"
And then I got my tiny, beautiful baby right back in my arms!
We rested, we cuddled, we were cozy together.
Mima, Aunt Catherine and Aunt Heather all got their moments, too!
Thanks for being my awesome little support team :)
And then came Emma. I got teary eyed just thinking of my two babies meeting each other. I envisioned the bond that these little sisters would have and I couldn't wait for it to begin. Daddy introduced his girls!
Oh, my heart! So full!!! I just became the mom to two sweet girls. We just gave them someone to share secrets with, laugh with, fight with, and gang up on Mommy & Daddy together. We just gave them their life long best friend.
Emma had so many questions and was just so interested in her new sis!
Our Avery Jane! So, so wonderful at 6 lbs., 8 oz. 19.5" long.
Daddy's girls!
It's hard to describe, but that amazing feeling of meeting your baby for the very first time ...is just as, if not more amazing to see both of your babies meet for the first time and look totally in love.
We spent the next few days getting to know, love, and cuddle our new baby girl. We introduced her to football and she watched the Seminoles win at just a day old.
We lounged around. We had family visit. And I loved every moment.
She met her Ppa. 
And Great Grandma (GG) too!
We became a family of four, and our hearts grew like 234598x.
Another little girl to steal our hearts, wrap us around her finger, and snuggle with all day long!
One of the greatest moments -- Emma gave her sissy some new gifts from her. She painted her a wooden train and got her a goofy. She decorated the gift box and was so excited to give it to her. And Avery even got Emma a few things as a new big sister gift ;)
She decorated Avery in new cupcake stickers. And herself. And they continued to float around the house for months beyond that!
At some points, it was just the three of us. Mommy, Daddy, and Avery Jane. And I loved those moments just as much as the moments with people surrounding us. In those quiet times, I watched my baby. I smiled as I watched her, feeling grateful to have her and that the delivery went well. I thought about her whole life ahead of her and how this was only the beginning. And I just hoped it would all stay calm, slow down, and let us soak up these moments in the now. The now where she was a brand new baby and that was all we had to think about. I gave her my full attention and cuddled with her day and night!
I admired her tiny face and it's beautiful little features. I wrapped her little hand around my finger and kissed her baby toes. Newborn snuggles are not to be missed!
Then the moment came for us to take our new baby home. Take her out into the great big world to start her great big life. They wheeled us out the front door and I took a deep breath as I welcomed her outside. I'm not sure why that's such an emotional moment, but for me it really is. It's the start to her life - the time to welcome her to the world, to her home, to her doggy, to her life.
Mima & Emma welcomed us home. Ppa had left already but had the most delicious Honeybaked Ham meal awaiting our arrival. It was all so wonderful.
We were greeted with pumpkins on the front steps and lit a fall scented candle and watched Hocus Pocus as a new family of four. Beyond thankful, beyond happy, beyond lucky. Avery Jane is the perfect addition to our family! And her birth story is not one to be forgotten. Such special moments.
Just a sweet little video to remember those newborn faces!