Saturday, December 15, 2012

Shelby's Arrival!

Hello Friends!!
So much to tell!!
I could break this up into multiple posts but I've decided that I'm going to try and mesh it into one because this blog is sort of a journal for me and I like to keep it current with what's going on.
First off, what an AMAZING experience!!!
I'm a Type A, control freak and things didn't roll out as I had planned but God has a plan for all of us in life including us and our little family.

As you all know our induction was set for the special date of 12/12/12.
We went in the night of the 11th to prepare.
My parents came in to take care of Buddy and be here for us.
My Mom snapped this picture as we were leaving.
When we got to the hospital, they told us that they were so backed up that they didn't have a room for us and to come back an hour and half later.
UGH!
I was so worked up about going in to begin with that this really made me mad.
Brad was a trooper though and talked me through it.
We made our way over to the lobby of the Levine's Children's Hospital where they had holiday entertainment AND a couch for me to rest my enlarged self.
 This group from Opera Carolina Chorus really made my night, no joke.
 The decorations weren't to shabby either.
 Fast forward to Wednesday morning.
My water broke when I got up at 5am without even being given Pitocin instead just Cervidil.
Things were like a roller coaster after that!
I was in labor WITHOUT an epidural for nearly an hour.
Whew!!!
Drugs are good is all I'm going to say!
Brad was the ABSOLUTE, most amazing coach and husband through all of the pain and labor.
Not that I ever doubted that he would be but he really went beyond what I ever imagined.
He gets the best husband award and I'm not just writing this because I know he reads this blog.

The birth was totally amazing!!
 I truly believe my time in the gym paid off.
I didn't tire and was able to pull off a vaginal birth which I didn't really think I had in me giving that I'm short in stature and small boned like my Mom who had 2 c-sections.
Shelby was born at 4:48pm just an hour and 10 minutes after I started pushing.
Granted, they did use the vacuum to get her out at the end.
Such a happy moment.
Brad and I were both over the moon.
 And, as to be expected, VERY emotional!!
Not a flattering picture of me but a special moment I want to share.
 But things didn't go as planned soon thereafter.
About an hour after birth we had a HUGE scare with Miss Shelby.
As I was nursing her she stopped breathing and turned blue.
Brad and I were alone in the room at the time and started screaming for doctors.
About 15 people were in the room about 2.5 seconds later and Shelby was revived but to us it felt like 2 hours.
SCARIEST.MOMENT.OF.OUR.LIVES
She was fine and they categorized it as a brief episode but the whole thing earned her a night in the NICU.
We were A-OKAY with that!
I could go on and on but to make it short, she was running a slight fever so they started her on antibiotics and therefore had to be monitored for 72 hours at the hospital even though she got out of the NICU after 24-hours.
 We were okay with that too, even though it involved us coming home a night without her with us.
 As hard as it was to leave her last night I told myself that I am a better Mom for making sure that she is fully checked out and not at risk for any sort of  other'episodes' when we come home.
Overall, they aren't sure what happened but she is fine and not sick or anything else.
In fact, she's SUPER healthy and by being in the nursery for 3-nights in a row, she's on a schedule now that we hope to maintain now that we're home.


 That's right, we went and got Shelby this morning and brought her home.
So awesome!!
We are one big, happy family now!
Including Buddy!
Brad brought one of Shelby's swaddle blankets home yesterday so he could be prepared.
 He took right to it.
 And today, when we brought her home....
 He fell in love just as we have!
 Today we've been enjoying our time together.
Sleeping, eating and changing diapers.
She's such a good baby and we are so lucky to have her in our lives.
BTW - I'm feeling fine.
Brad is such a good Dad that my Mom and I were even able to run to Target today without thinking twice about it.
Again, I feel like my time in the gym is to credit with being able to bounce back quickly, not to mention sending the baby to the nursery every night. :)
I'll write and share more later but for now that's what I have.
Thanks to all of you for your love, prayers, support, comments, friendship and everything else.
I could go on and on and on but that's all I have for tonight.
Tootles and happy Saturday.
The best Saturday of our lives!

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats!!! I'm so beyond thrilled for y'all!! I know this will just be the most special Christmas with your sweet baby that you prayed so long for!! Hope things continue to go well for y'all & I look forward to all the sweet pics :) And I just knew Buddy would love her!!

Dee said...

She looks so tiny! I'm so happy for you! Enjoy every moment, it goes by so fast!

ElizabethWiley said...

Oh my gosh! How scary! I am so sorry you had to go through that experience and am glad she's feeling better and at home with you now. Hope you are feeling well and getting rest. I will be by after Christmas with a meal. xoxo

Christa said...

Congratulations to you all! And keep the blogs coming. Shelby will love reading them when she is older. I wished I had written things down for my children.

Courtney B said...

Yay!!! I'm so happy for your sweet family!
What an amazing birth story. Of course I'm terrified of labor, mainly the unknown, so this was so comforting to read!
But oh so SCARY about Shelby!! I'm so glad she's okay. I'll definitely be praying that everything keeps going smoothly!
Enjoy your time with your new little family :) hopefully I'll get to snuggle my baby girl in the next few days!

BLESS YOUR HEART said...

She is just beautiful!! Congratulations and many blessings sent your way! Erica
Ericasrunningjourney.blogspot.com

Monica said...

So super awesome! Brought tears to my eyes because it reminded me of giving birth to Lyla just 9 short months ago. I am SO GLAD you got to experience a vaginal delivery because to me, it was the most AWESOME EXPERIENCE EVER. NOTHING can top it. So glad little Shelby is fine and so sorry you had that scare as new parents. Welcome to the world Shelby! I can't wait to read more about you!

LuLu said...

I am so happy for you all! See you tomorrow! Look at you already out on the town.

Mandy said...

So exciting that you felt up to sharing. Loving the pics and updates and SO glad Shelby is OK. You all look incredibly happy!

Kelsi Strong said...

You are amazing!! I love that you got this up so quickly! I'm dying over how cute she is :) Congrats! I'm glad everything went fine as well.. There are a lot of horrer stories out there, so I love to hear happy stories :) Have fun with your sweet girl!

Sarah O said...

Congratulations Dee! I am so happy for you and Brad. Shelby is perfect!

starnes family said...

Go Brad! I knew he would be awesome. Enjoy every moment!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Brad and Dee! So glad Shelby is okay - that was quite a scare! She is beautiful :)

Lauren
http://laurensweetnothings.blogspot.com/

Maran (HeyHawleywood) said...

Congrats lady. I love love love that emotional pic of you and Shelby. It is real life and you look beautiful in it. Can't wait to see more pics of that gorgeous babe!

Tricia said...

She is absolutely gorgeous, and I am over the moon excited for you! I am so happy to hear she is well and home with you, and of course that you are feeling great too. Enjoy every precious moment, and we can't wait to see more photos of your darling daughter! A big congratulations to you and your husband! xo

Megan said...

Shelby is a beautiful baby!! So glad you are both doing well, will be such a memorable Christmas season!

donatelli98 said...

Y'all are such a precious family - Buddy too!! Yeah Brad - not that we doubted him! Dying to come to Charlotte and meet sweet Shelby and y'all too!!

The Jones Family said...

She's beautiful, congrats again!

MCW said...

The picture of you crying made me cry! I know how happy and filled with joy you are...so happy for you! Xoxo

Mandy said...

She is absolutely perfect! Beautiful!! I'm sorry that you had to experience that with your little miss. Must have scared y'all!! Glad everything is fine :)

{LOVE her coming home outfit! just presh!!}

Anonymous said...

She is so beautiful! What a great journey you've had!

donna said...

Congratulations again! Shelby is so beautiful. What a Christmas blessings!

Kristen said...

Congrats! Merry Christmas to you and your new little family.

Unknown said...

So happy for you! Take care and enjoy every moment!

Mikelle Jade said...

Wow momma! What an amazing story, so glad everything went well, especially after the scare! & good job pushing! You are beautiful, and i love the photos of you and her, very sweet! Enjoy these days, iy seriously goes by so fast, Jack is already so big! And I hope you have time to relax and recover quickly!

Jenny DB said...

So glad I popped into your blog today to read this fabulous news. Congratulations! I love the name Shelby and what a gift. So glad she is safe and healthy :-)

eas said...

Amazing! You are blessed!

Wiz said...

I teared up seeing the picture of you holding her with tears in your eyes. So precious!

So glad Shelby is ok! I know that must have been a scary moment but it sounds like smooth sailing after that!