London Avery...our sweet surprise

London Avery

June 17, 2011 4:39 am

5 lbs 7 oz

18.5 inches

So..for the big story...details included...get ready folks.

Thursday night, I had just turned 35 weeks pregnant and had fully began to complain about feeling uncomfortable, although I never really got that big. Still, a pregnant lady is uncomfortable no matter what. I had my visiting teachers over and we were chatting til about 10:30 at night. Come 12 ish, my water broke. Of course it was the same as last time...the little trickle, I was in denial, and Aaron was on the phone calling his parents over to be here when Taylor got up, and getting in contact with the hospital. I was still in denial..kind of. I don't know what it was, I just couldn't believe that it could happen that early, and trying to tell myself and Aaron that maybe I just really had to go to the bathroom and it wouldn't stop coming out. I know...denial. Of course I wasn't ready and some of the first thoughts were..."I can't remember where my nursing bras are, grab my make up, and maybe I should bring some onesies for the baby, and...oh yeah, the car seat!"

So, we headed to the hospital, chatted about what we should name her, and stopped for some snacks at 7-11 since that's the only place open at 1 in the morning (I was starving and knew they wouldn't let me eat for a long time). Still a part of me in denial at this point and feeling stupid if they were to send me back home.

We arrived to the hospital at 1:30 am, and within 15 minutes of questioning the "big flood" occurred and it was fully apparent that my water had in fact broke. Baby was on her way whether we liked it or not. They were preparing us for the worst since she was early. Saying she would be in the NICU for her full stay and may have to be in the hospital up until her due date. That's when I had my first cry, and started to realize that this was really happening and that our sweet little bundle was coming even though she hadn't fully cooked in the oven long enough.

My mom was in Georgia on vacation and I called her at that time...3:30 in the morning their time at that point. Of course it was like turning into a child again and the second I talked to my mom I cried and wanted her to be there. Leave it to the Sherry we all know and love..she arrived in Denver at 10 am that same morning.

Back to the birth story. I was wisked away to the OR, got the spinal tap (which was a million times better than the epidural), and had the c-section. Last time with Taylor I felt quite a bit of pressure and pain with the epidural, but this time I didn't even feel really discomfort at all. It all happened so fast, we couldn't really believe we were having the baby and in the OR, and going to meet her soon. We were really afraid of how tiny she was going to be...but the first words out of everyone's mouth when they pulled her out at 4:39 am was.."wow, she's so big!". She was unexpectedly big for her gestational age...5 lbs 7 oz. A total blessing of course!

First time meeting her for a few seconds.

Going to see her in the NICU after recovery.
She needed to be on the CPAP for about 3-4 days in order to push air into her lungs to help her breath. This was a hard time since she couldn't be held and could barely be touched without her heart rate/respiratory rate dropping. We mostly were just able to look at her. Aaron did get to hold her for the first time on Father's Day.
Taylor meeting her for the first time...she got to touch her toes and held her hands out and asked to "hold her" over and over again.
After a few days she graduated to the high flow nasal cannula for oxygen. Every day we'd go into the NICU she was doing something else amazing.
Sisters...Taylor didn't want to let go. One of my fav pictures!

The proud big sister...first time holding baby sister London.

Our beautiful baby girl...with the nasal cannula and NG feeding tube.

The proud grandma, such a huge help during this whole NICU process. Seriously, she saved our lives while I needed to be at the NICU most of the day, my mom was full time nanny for Taylor, driving me around, cleaning the house, making us dinner, and just being so helpful!

After 13 long days in the NICU, driving back and forth 30 minutes each way, helping London learn how to eat, trying to keep Taylor kind of happy when she was missing mommy, sleepy mommy, and aching for her to come home..London came home to us!

And..she has been growing like a weed ever since.

Came home Wed, June 29th: 5 lbs 8 oz

MD appt Fri, July 1st: 5 lbs 10 oz

appt Tues, July 5th: 6 lbs 1 oz

MD appt Mon, July 11: 6 lbs 10 oz!!!

Can you believe it?! She has been doing so well, has been getting better with learning how to eat, is now breast feeding every other feeding, is sleeping like a champ, and surviving Taylor loving on her!