she has arrived...

On May 18th @ 8:30AM, we welcomed our beautiful baby girl! She is precious and so fearfully and wonderfully made! So excuse my tardiness in the announcement of her birth as we have been spending all of our days as a family of four (plus Claire). I will be working on her birth story and posting that soon. Even though plan b was put into effect, little miss has her own story and adventure (just like her brother).

For now, here is my precious and my baby boy loving being a big brother! Double l is adjusting and enjoying his little sis all at the same time. And I am falling more in love with him and his daddy.

We will refer to our princess and double l's sis as "little l" here on 'mommie blogs'!

plan a is fading; plan b on deck!

Ah, the joy of a birth plan. I had one last time and it certainly did not go according to plan. So, as I discussed my birth plan this time around I ensured we would discuss plan b, c, d, etc...

Having an emergency c-section with double l, I did not automatically want to go the c-section route this time around. I wanted to avoid it completely, but knew it could be a reality. I appreciated my doctor for being open-minded in a practice that had a "policy" against VBACs for women who never had a previous vaginal delivery. Since he is a partner, he made the decision to opt out of policy and explore all my options. He is wonderful and I feel blessed to have him as a doctor!

So, here was the plan --

{recap of LL's birth} I fully dilated and pushed with double l. Due to his rather large head, he was not budging, even when the doctor on call used the K cup to try and get him out. We were venturing into a dangerous point as my little man's heart rate was dropping and the doctor gave me three more pushes. With no movement, I was rushed to the OR and the rest is history.

This time around ~ Should I dilate and her head become engaged just like the last time, my doctor agreed that I could attempt to push. He felt confident that if I agreed to the assistance of forceps he could get her out. I agreed. But we both thought with my previous history of preterm labor and the fact I dilated so early with strong contractions, I would go into labor around 37 weeks. As you know that never happened! We agreed I would not go past my due date, so a repeat c-section was scheduled for the morning of my due date. Here I am days away from my due date, 4CM, 80% efface, and contracting on and off for weeks. My hopes of a successful VBAC are fading quickly and my anxiety of surgery is becoming stronger every day.

But its all out of my hands. I will continue to pray and give my worries to God. And most importantly look forward to the day my daughter is born and I get to hold her!!! however she maybe delivered...

prepping for his little sister's arrival...

So, you want to know how a little man prepares for his little sister's arrival? He just goes about his merry way of course...

Double L is a laid back guy and he has been enjoying twenty-ten in the simplest ways...

Here is a peak at him visiting the zoo (lots of Saturday morning trips with dad -- we love and our members of the philly zoo), wearing his basketball shorts just like daddy (to you it doesn't mean much, to me I think its adorable as my bub always wear basketball shorts and to have my little man mimic him is priceless!!), and sport his goggles with daddy at home. Double l just finished swim lessons and we are ready to hit the pools! well, mommie won't be ready for a little bit...

Hope you are having a great day!

sitting, waiting, wishing...

aw, I do like jack johnson...

anyway, I am sitting here and definitely waiting and wishing. my contractions have been somewhat normal and consistent all morning. no pain, just discomfort. I do not think this is IT, but I am actually smiling thinking..."what if IT IS". I just cleaned out the refrig/freezer and made a list to go food shopping. My sweet mother-in-law is on the deck for double l and Claire. I am supposed to be finishing up work with this week and I am actually doing an okay job. I just can't stop thinking about the pending arrival of my daughter and smiling. The crib should be delivered "any moment" now and her bedding is in the wash. It is beautiful and I can't wait to show you.

oh, there is another one... tight belly and lots of pressure, but honestly it is not IT. just a little prep, maybe...

today, starts my 38th week of pregnancy and I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday morning.

okay, I am off to peak out the window at my lovies. oh and the crib is here!!!

hope you are having a beautiful day like us. the weather is perfect.