Addi's Story.

A lot has changed since my last blog entry!  We had just found out that we were expecting another sweet baby girl.... well, now she has made her debut into this world!!!

Here is Addi's Story.

On Thursday, September 2nd (at 36 weeks) I went to the doctor for my weekly NST (non-stress test).  After being monitored for 30 minutes, the doctor came in and told me she had a few concerns about baby girl's heart rate.  Every movement Addilyn made, her heart rate would increase like it was supposed to, but then it would rapidly drop below baseline.  The doctor told me not to worry, but she wanted me to come back the next day for further testing and monitoring.  She calmly warned me that if the baby was not cooperating during the testing, I would be sent to the hospital that day for my repeated c-section!  

Being that I was scheduled for a c-section in 3 weeks, I had not done ANYTHING to prepare for Addi's arrival... my house was dirty, my toenails were not painted, I did not have Alexa lined out.  So, of course, I started crying and rushed home to get everything organized!  Luckily, my sweet, sweet sister and Granny were at my house watching Alexa.  They calmed me down and told me to tell them where to start and they would help me.  We all ran to Target to gather all of the things I still needed for myself, Alexa, and Addi.  Then, we came home and my sister cleaned my ENTIRE house, which was a total disaster (I still owe her for this)!  I went to start a load of laundry for Addi, and quickly discovered that the washing machine was broken!!  I believe I lost it all over again... I could not put my NEW baby in brand new clothes and blankets that had not been washed.... talk about serious germs!  I called my AMAZING neighbors, and they came and got all of my laundry!!!  I panicked all night long!  My neighbor even came down to give me a pedicure while I straightened my hair... talk about amazing! :)  

So, after 2 hours of sleep, I went back to the doctor's office.  She did about 90 minutes of testing, and everything came back normal!  All of my frantic running around was for nothing!!!  So I went home... a little sad and a lot relieved!  That night we went to dinner at Clear Springs and ran to Babies R Us with my parents.  The scare made me aware of all the necessities I was still lacking.  We had a great night out as a family!  

At about 11:30 that night, I was asleep in bed.  I woke up to realize that I was soaking wet.  I jumped out of bed and started boucing up and down!  My husband, who was still asleep, looked over at me and asked what the heck I was doing.  (I am sure it was quite the sight... a huge pregnant woman trying to jump up and down... my feet couldn't even get off the ground!)  I told him I was soaking wet and that I figured if it had been my water breaking that jumping up and down would make it break all the way!!  He told me I was crazy and that I had peed on myself.  Well, those of you who have had babies, know that this is a very possible, so I agreed with him, changed clothes, and got back in bed.  A few minutes later, I realized I was wet again.  This time I knew I had not peed.  I woke Jonathan up and told him I thought it was for real this time!  I called L&D and told the nurse my situation... she eased my doubts and told me she definitely thought I was in labor.  So, I called those AMAZING neighbors again (yes, I owe them BIG time too) and they were down at my house in about 2 minutes.  They assured me that Alexa would be fine and we headed to the hospital!  

I was much more calm than I ever expected.  I put my make-up on while we drove and giggled a lot because I knew I was leaking all over Jonathan's truck seats!!  I'm not sure if I ever really told him this... oops!  It all seemed so surreal.  I walked up to L&D and within an hour and a half, I was lying on the operating table about to meet this sweet little life who I had felt move inside me so many times and longed to hold so badly!  

{side note... so not relevant, but pretty funny:  Addi had not really descended at all (I still don't think she was really ready).  I could see the doctors elbows hitting the sheet RIGHT in front of my face trying to get their hands under my ribs to get her down.  I was a little panicked and freaked out by now.  Then, I heard the dreaded words "I need the vacuum" come from the doctor.  I was doing my very best to hold back my tears and tried to stay calm.  About 10 seconds after they turned the vacuum on, I heard a really loud "popping" noise.  Then, I felt blood shoot over the curtain and land on my face.  I didn't say a thing, I don't think I even moved.  Quickly, Jonathan brushed the blood off of me and old me he had accidentally spit on me!!!  I didn't even acknowledge the comment at the time but remebered it later.  He was so sweet.... he wanted to ease my fears so badly.  He said he didn't even know where the comment had come from, but it just came right out of his mouth... I must say, it was pretty quick thinking... and made for a good laugh later}

At 2:14 am, Addilyn Joy Walker made her arrival!!!  I heard the nurses ranting and raving about her long beautiful eyelashes and I heard her sweet little cry.  When we had Alexa, she had been in a lot of distress, so we did not hear any crying... It was such a sweet relief this time to hear that those lungs were working well!!!  They told me she was tiny (as her sister was too) and that she had a head full of black hair!!!  It seemed like FOREVER until they brought her around the curtain so I could see her for the first time!  

That EXACT moment is like nothing you can ever imagine or express into words!!!  I don't care if it is your first time, or your 10th time, meeting YOUR baby for the first time is, without a doubt, the BEST moment you will ever experience!!!!  Its like the world stands still.  For a brief moment in time, NOTHING else matters.  Life could not be more perfect!  

She is absolutely beautiful!!!  She weighed 5lbs. 12oz. (2oz. bigger than her sister) and was 19inches long.  She had a head full of black hair and the smallest, sweetest, little face!!!  Everything about her is just perfect!!!

We are still unsure why she decided to make her arrival in this world almost 4 weeks early.  But, I guess she was trying to tell us something was not right a few days early.  I am very thankful we had this little "scare" so I could somewhat prepare for her arrival (at least so I could get a pedicure).  My doctor was also headed out of town that weekend for a week, so I am VERY thankful she was able to deliver!

Now, Addilyn is 6 weeks old!!   She is growing quickly and currently weighs 8lbs 2oz!!!  She is struggling with pretty severe acid reflux and is definitely not a very content baby girl, as we know she is in a decent amount of pain!  Crying or not, she is still our little "JOY".  It seems to be completely agreed that Addi looks just like her daddy's side of the family.  Maybe like her Aunt Lauren (which works great for me because she is absolutely gorgeous)?!  Alexa LOVES her new baby sister and can not get enough of her.  Addi has definitely made the mothering side of Alexa come out!!!  She is much more nurturing that we ever thought!!  

Life with two is pretty crazy 90% of the time!  I think people leave my house, with a BIG sigh of relief that they don't have to stay any longer!! :)  Crazy or not, I am so thankful for the two sweet girls the Lord has entrusted to us!  I look at them and I wouldn't change a thing!!!  They were both created in His image and He designed them for a specific purpose and a reason!!  They were "fine tuned" the EXACT way He wanted them to be! 

"I will sing for joy at the works of YOUR hands!" - Psalm 92:4

Here is a picture of both the girls as newborns.... Do you think they look alike?!?!

                                                                            

Alexa Jayne

Addilyn Joy