Ava

Just wanted to let you all know that I finally updated our family blog. Here is the address: http://findingtheblessingsinlife.blogspot.com/

Ava's Arrival

Thank you all for the well wishes. Ava Grace is the sweetest!

As promised, here is the story of her arrival. I went in on Oct 1st at 10 pm to be induced. The plan was for me to sleep until 4 am and then the doctor would break my water and start the pitocin. However, at around 2:30 am, I started having contractions on my own. The doctor came and broke my water and we started the pitocin as planned. I had an epidural late afternoon and labor seemed to be moving along. We started noticing that at each contraction, Ava's heartbeat would go down. At first this was not concerning as it was only in the beginning of the contraction. At around 7 pm, her heart rate started going down for the whole contraction. I was also stalled at 7 cm. The nurse stopped the pitocin and gave me an oxygen mask. Ava settled. The doctor came and discovered that Ava was presenting with the side of her head. Although, she wasn't feet first, she was still angled to one side. We were given the option of a c-section. The doctor said we could continue the trial labor for awhile longer, but that he gave us a 30% change of delivering vaginally. By this point, we were concerned for Ava's well being and went ahead with the c-section. During the surgery, they had a hard time getting Ava out and tore my uterus a little which caused alot of blood loss. We were all surprised by how small she was. George took her to meet the family and I stayed behind to get stitched up. It was supposed to take 30-45 minutes, but ended up taking 1 1/2 hours. In the end, both Mommy and baby are doing well.

Introducing Miss Ava Grace

Hi everyone. Sorry for the delay in the introduction of our little girl. This little one is quite hungry. Ava Grace arrived on October 2nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm after a c-section. She weighed 6 lbs 14 oz and was 20 inches long. Not quite the 8.5+ pounder predicted! I promise to update with the birth story soon! Hugs!

Georgia's Room

I am finally in my last week of pregnancy. My due date is Thursday, but if the little miss doesn't arrive by Friday, we will be inducing Friday afternoon. My blood pressure has been a little crazy and Ava is said to be over 8 lbs at this point. At my 39 week appointment on Thursday, my blood pressure was high, so they sent me over to L & D for a NST and blood work for the second week in a row. Normally, they hook you up in triage, but the it was full so they decided to put me in a room. Just so happens that room was the same room that Georgia was born and where we last seen her. I have thought in the past that there would be a chance that her room would be the only room available when it is time for Ava to arrive and how I would feel about that. It was definitely strange to be in her room again, but it wasn't as painfull as I would have thought. It would be nice if they shared the same delivery room, but I worry how the emotions and hormones may affect me. I guess time will tell how it will work out... either way I know my angel will be watching over us.

38 weeks

Gosh... it has been awhile since I have posted. The fall semester started last month, and I have been trying to get ahead in all of my school work in preparation for Ava's arrival. I am always good about checking everyone else's blog, but always seem to save updating my own for another day. Alot of the reason is that I feel guilty writing about Ava's impending arrival and how excited we are on Georgia's blog. It just doesn't seem right. I feel guilty that I am moving ahead and past alot of the pain. Don't get me wrong, we think and talk about her all the time, but the pain has dulled with all of the excitement. This has led me to start another blog and to keep this blog Georgia's. I have not yet posted on the new blog. When I do, I will put up the link and you are all welcome to join us there as well.

My due date is two weeks from tomorrow. Ava's bags are packed. I am bringing Georgia's blanket for her to use while in the hospital. I still need to pack my bags. As of my appointment last week, I was 50% effaced and one cm dilated. Not much, but at least it is something right? Progress... everyday is just about progressing forward.

One Year...

I cannot believe it has been one year since we last laid eyes on our little Georgia Louise. In some ways, it seems like yesterday, in others like it has been longer. Not a day goes by that we don't think of her and wish that she was here with us. We wonder what she would be like and how our lives would be different had she not died. We are super excited for little Ava Grace's arrival, but often feel guilty for being too happy; like we are doing Georgia an injustice. We know that she is watching over her little sister and would want her parents to be happy. We are planning to do a balloon release this evening to honor her memory.Georgia,

We love and miss you very much. We will never forget you and you will forever be our firstborn. Please watch over your sister for us.

Until we meet again,

Mommy and Daddy xoxo

Thank you!

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of your sweet and supportive words. They meant alot to me and have made me feel much better. It always helps to know that you are not alone in how you are feeling. Thank you!!!