Introducing Claire Ann

Our sweet little girl arrived on June 22 at 1:22 p.m., weighing in at 7 lbs. 4 oz., 21 in. long, and 12 days early!

Here is the story.... So Sunday evening the 19th- I started having contractions. They came early in the morning and progressed throughout the day. By the afternoon we decided to go in and get checked out. I was only 1 cm and they watched for a few hours but I was not progressing so they sent me home. My contractions continued for the next few days but more off and on. I didn't get much sleep the next few days and by tuesday night my contractions were getting stronger and stronger! Finally at about 2a.m. we decided these contractions were the real thing. I was hating life at this point and could no longer walk through them. We drove to the hospital and I got into a room and the contractions were just minutes apart by now.

Once the nurse checked my I was almost a 5 and I got admitted. I was also VERY ready for an epidural after having had contractions for almost three days. My epidural was wonderful but very strong- I couldn't really move my legs but it was a small price to pay for the comfort. I was able to get some rest-but with nurses constantly checking and fiddling with you, I didn't get much. At about 11:30 a.m.- it was time to push! It was funny because my epidural was so good- I didn't know how hard I was pushing! They turned my epidural down so I could feel the contractions more-not pleasant- but at least I could push more effectively.

After 2 1/2 hours of pushing I was exhausted and the doctor said the baby wasn't down far enough. Her head was turned funny and she wasn't able to come out quite right. The doctor said I was going to have to have a C-section. I lost it! I was so tired and it was the last thing I wanted. I couldn't stop crying. Luckily I had an amazing nurse who convinced the doctor to let me try just a 1/2 hour longer and use a few different positions to help move the baby. The doc was skeptical but said ok.

Well, a 1/2 hour later and a few of the most horrific positions you could imagine, the doctor checked me and said she had moved just enough to be able to try the vacuum! She said she would give it one try and if the vacuum popped off- it was c-section time. Well, Claire must have been ready because one pull with the vacuum and out she came! They put her right on my chest and I have never had a more joyous moment in my life.

Jimmy was so supportive and was with me every step of the way and we felt so blessed that I was able to deliver her. It was neat because she never had to leave the room and they kept her right with me the whole time. She is our perfect little angel and we love her so much. Jimmy is one proud daddy and kept showing her off to all the nurses and his fellow residents (I delivered at the hospital he works at). We felt so loved as visitors and well wishes came to congratulate us.

These are just some pics we took at the hospital- she has changed so much since! Hopefully I will have some newer ones soon!