Sunday, May 23rd started off like any other day in the life of a 9 month pregnant chick. I got up and went to my parent’s house for lunch as is my usual Sunday routine. It was a super hot day and my parents didn't have the air conditioning on (thanks Mom and Dad) so I cut my visit short in order to get home to the A/C. I stopped at Hy-Vee with my Dad to pick out some flowers, went home, planted said flowers, made dinner, baked a batch of chocolate chip cookies, and settled in to watch the Celebrity Apprentice finale (Go Bret!!). I started showing some early signs of labor and made a call to the doctor to see if there was any need to come in at that point. By that time, it was around 10:30 p.m. Dr. Anderson said we could come in if I wanted to be monitored to check the fetal heart rate to ensure there weren't any signs of fetal distress. We arrived at the hospital and I was hooked up to a machine that monitored both baby's heart rate and mom's contractions. In the hour or so that we were there, I only had one extremely mild contraction (I had to be told it was in fact a contraction) so the nurse sent us home for the evening. Shortly after we got home, I started having much more intense contractions and around 4:00 a.m. I thought we should maybe head back to the hospital, fully expecting that I was probably overreacting and we would be sent home again. Alas, Ivy had plans of her own! It turns out I was dilated between 5 and 6 cm and the time had arrived. Everything started moving really quickly at that point. Dave and I called our parents to let them know what was going on and informed them that I'd be going in for a c-section in about 45 minutes. I was then prepped for surgery and with about two minutes to spare, our parents were able to come in and see us. I was a bit emotional to say the least at that point!
We had arrived at the hospital at 4:24 a.m. and at 5:45 a.m. Ivy Lorraine Jones made her debut into the world (her middle name is after my Grandma Lorraine McAllister). She weighed in at 8 lbs. 10 oz. and was 19 1/2 inches long. Dave was the first one to say, "It's a girl!" I was in complete shock because I really had been convinced I was having a boy. Since I had a c-section, it took a few minutes for them to bring her to me and those few minutes felt like hours. Dave kept saying to me, "Wait til you see her face. She is so beautiful!". When they finally brought her over to the other side of the curtain and I saw her, it was love at first sight. I had tears in my eyes as I looked at her and gave her a kiss on her chubby little cheek. I had a little girl!! It was truly the happiest moment of my life.
Dave carried Ivy out of the delivery room with the doctors and headed to the nursery for all of the standard procedures after a baby is born. Before he made it to the nursery he was intercepted in the hallway by the grandparents who were anxious to hear the news and get a glimpse of their new grandchild. In Dave's words, my mom "did a 5 foot vertical leap" when she saw him and was screaming with joy. I think I had my parents convinced that I was having a boy as well so when Dave said, "Meet Ivy" I can only imagine they were just as shocked (and just as ecstatic) as I was to find out it was a girl.
We have now been home from the hospital for one week and are adjusting to life with our little one. We’ve had some long nights and each day we are learning new things but we wouldn't trade it for the world. Just looking at my little girl can bring a tear to my eye. We truly have a little miracle baby and I will thank God every day for bringing her into our lives. Mommy and Daddy love you little Ivy Lorraine!
Yay for little Ivy Lorraine! She is so lucky to have such awesome parents (and auntie!). She truly is such a blessing and I'm sure completely with the wait! I love her so much already:) Can't wait to watch her grow! I love you!
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