Welcome to the world Ava Kate

Ava Kate Hollyhand

October 6, 2011

8:25 am8lbs. 3oz.

20 in. long

We are overjoyed to welcome our new baby girl!!  Ava Kate arrived at 8:25 on Thursday morning.  We are SO in love with this baby girl and feeling so blessed with our family of four!

For my memory, I want to write down the events of Ava Kate's birthday.

Riley and I arrived at the hospital around 4:45 on Thursday morning.  I probably got a few hours of sleep the night before.  I was excited, nervous and anxious.  I laid awake just thinking about what she would look like, how Anna Riley would react and prayed that she was healthy and things went smoothly.  My parents had stayed at our house so that they would be there with Anna Riley when we left and they could bring her to the hospital closer to time. When we got there, they started my iv and began getting me prepped for surgery.

We were fortunate enough to have Kim Lawson come take pictures of our special day so many of these are courtesy of her.

The c-section was scheduled to start at 7a.m. so Mom and Dad brought Anna Riley around that time so they would be there when she was born.    Unfortunately, the surgery was delayed until 8 a.m. but it gave me some time to be with Anna Riley before going back. 

They took us back close to 8 and Riley got his outfit to put on and they took me back to get my spinal.  The spinal was so much better than the epidural I had last time.  I did start feelin nauseous when they laid me down after giving the spinal.  I wasn't surprised because I got very sick with Anna Riley.  They gave me medicine and I felt much better!  When everything was ready, Riley came in and everything got started.  Everything was really calm and went so smoothly.  I felt great at this point but I did cry through most of the surgery...happy tears of course.  It didn't take long at all and Dr. Poist said he was about to get her out.  Much to our surprise, miss Ava Kate had turned at some point and was breech!  That explains why I always felt what I thought was her bottom sticking out on my left side...it was her head! Good thinng we had already planned on a c-section!!  He pulled her out and she was completly covered in vernix (the white cheesy stuff) so it was hard to tell much about her.  They cleaned her up real quick and weighed her and Riley brought her to me.  We said immediatley that she looked like her big sister!  

She weighed 8lbs 3oz and was 20 inches long which was very close to Anna Riley's size (8lbs and 20 3/4 in.)

Riley, then took her to meet the family and they finished working on me for the next 20 minutes.

Anna Riley had fun while waiting for little sister.  She spent her time being pushed on the iv pump!!

Anna Riley finally meeting her little sister for the first time!!

Riley got to take everyone back one at a time to get a closer look at Ava Kate while she was in the nursery.

I went back to recovery and waited until they were finished with her in the nursery.  Anna Riley got to come sit with me and keep me company.

After a few mintues, Riley brought Ava Kate to me!  I just couldn't believe I was finally holding her in my arms...such a special moment!

Anna Riley wasn't sure what to think about this new addition! 

I nursed Ava Kate and then they took me back to the room.

Everything with this birth went SO smooth and I was really able to enjoy every second of it!  I was amazed at how much better I felt during and after this time section compared to last.  I am so thankful for such a healthy baby girl!  God has truly blessed me and my family!!!