May 31, 2006

Mommy and Daddy are proud to announce that Bailey Grace was born on May 31, 2006 at 5:18pm. She weighed 6 pounds and 13 oz and was 19 inches long. We came home from the hospital today and have lots of pics we will post soon. Here are a few pics to show off our new little princess. Mommy will tell all about your birth and you soon. Thanks to all that have been praying for us. She is a true blessing from above.

Bailey,

I don’t even know where to begin on how much I already love you! You are the most beautiful little girl I’ve ever laid eyes on. I will never forget the first time I held you in my arms. It was quite an emotional moment. I know one day you will want to know all about my labor with you when it’s your turn to have little ones. I arrived at the hospital at 6am. There were 6 other couples being induced at the same time so it was very busy. We finally got into a room at 7am. When they hooked me up to the monitor I was having contractions every 4-5 minutes already. I had them that strong the entire day before and didn’t get much sleep because of them. They started patocin to even make them more consistent and stronger at 7:30am. Mommy was dilated to a 2 was 80% effaced when we arrived. Then they started the epidural at 8:30am. I got the shakes really bad this time throughout the entire day as well as a bad headache from all the epidural. I would much prefer shaking and headaches over contractions so I won’t complain too much. Then the waiting game began. I was between a 2-3 for about 2 hrs. and then at around one I was a three and then it seemed to take forever to get to a 4. They would check me about every 2 hrs to see how much change I was making. Then at 4pm I was at a 4. I then thought I was going to have a mid-night maybe by how slow getting to 4 took but I was wrong on that one. My epidural meds ran out and I started to feel lots of pressure around 4:45…at first I thought it was because of the epidural but then realized it was you ready to come into this world. I paged the nurses and said that you had definitely moved into the birth canal and I felt like I could push you out any second. When they checked me again I was already at a 10. Mommy went to a 4 to a 10 in 55 minutes. I was so excited!!! We had a little scare with your heart rate from 4-5pm because every time I would have a contraction it would drop drastically into the 70’s and 80’s. They called my doctor and decided to monitor it for a short time before making a decision on a c-section. I’m so glad they did because as soon as you dropped your heart rate went back to normal and stayed that way until delivery. They didn’t want to give me test pushes because with your brother he came out with 5 minutes of pushing. Jackson came in and saw me right before we started pushing. He was happy to see me and wasn’t concerned at all about me being in a hospital. Then at 5:18pm I pushed and you came right on into this world with Mommy’s first push. So you were born at 5:18pm. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said you were about to come out all by yourself. The Dr. couldn’t believe it only took one push for you but Mommy was so happy because this meant not as much pain for my damaged rib. I think you were wanting to give Mommy a break since it was so hard the last month. The umbilical cord was around your neck one time and this explained your heart rate. Daddy cut the cord and then went and got your big brother. He got in the bed with us and kissed you and gave you your security blanket. It was a very sweet moment. Then Mommy fed you for the first time and it went perfect. Your Aunt Neely videoed the birth and your Nanny got to be in there as well as Daddy and all of the nurses… one of them being your Great Aunt Lisa. It was the first birth Nanny had seen and she said you were the most perfect thing she has ever seen. Then we brought in your grandparents and from there everyone else got to meet you. I must admit that going through all of this again was wonderful because I knew what to expect. Even though I didn’t think nursing could be easier then it was with Jackson it was even easier with you. Daddy did great through out the entire hospital stay and was at my side helping with every pain and need. He also can’t kiss you enough. You already have him wrapped around his finger. I know that there are lots of details here but one day you will want to know everything if you are anything like your Mommy. About one hr. after you were born your temp was 95 degrees. They were able to warm you up quick and that has been the only problem we experienced. The pediatrician said you were 100% healthy. I love you more than anything. I’m so happy God picked me to be your Mommy.
Love, Mommy