I wasn't expecting the phone call that I got on Thursday morning at 7:18am. It was Jake calling to ask if I could come over and watch Ava. "Are you guys going to the hospital?", I asked half asleep. "Yep!", he replied. I hung up the phone and frantically began getting dressed and packing up a few things. I fed the boys and put them in their crates as I rushed out the door. I arrived at the Smith's house to see Ava-Kate watching cartoons and eating breakfast in her walker. Allie was standing by the dining room table timing a contraction, and Jake was gathering up their things for the hospital. (Allie had been up since 2:30am with contractions, but didn't wake up Jake until 6:30am. Since this was baby #2, she knew what to expect.) I hugged them as they walked out the door and then settled down on the couch. My plan was to stay with Ava, and bring her to the hospital once Addie arrived.
I had only been there about 15 minutes when Miss Gail (Jake's mom) arrived. She was going to take Ava to spend the night with her while Jake and Allie stayed in the hospital. We went upstairs and started changing Ava out of her pajamas and packing up her suitcase. Once Ava was changed and packed, we headed back downstairs to wait for Jake to call. He called a few minutes later to let us know that Allie was already dilated 6cm. (Just a little bit about Allie and labor, she is quick! Ava came in only a few hours! So when Jake said she was already 6cm, Miss Gail knew she needed to leave right away.) Immediately, Miss Gail headed out the door, and I settled back on the couch to play with Ava and wait until Addie was born.
Miss Gail had just left when I got a text from Jake asking if I wanted to come to the hospital to take pictures during the birth. I told him I would love too! In another frantic rush, I gathered up my things, Ava, and her backpack and loaded her into my car (I had installed her car seat while Miss Gail was watching her). I drove two blocks to our house to change and grab our camera, before driving to the hospital.
I arrived to East Jefferson General Hospital (the same one where we will deliver) around 9:25am. I unloaded the car and walked with Ava back toward labor and delivery where I saw Jake and Miss Gail. Allie was getting her epidural and was already 8cm. Once she was all settled, we went into the delivery room to hang out with her. I snapped a few pics of the family of 3, soon to be 4, and of Allie's belly. A little after 10am, the nurse came back in to check Allie...she was almost ready to push. (I told you her labor was super quick!!) As I was standing up to walk out of the room, Jake and Allie asked if I wanted to stay and watch the birth. I immediately said yes! I couldn't believe that they would ask me...what an honor! And, what a great preview of what we will be going through in less than 5 weeks!
Over the next 10 minutes, there were two nurses coming in and out of the room prepping for delivery. They were setting up tables with all the instruments that the doctor would need for the delivery. Then, they positioned Allie to push. (Meanwhile, Jake was trying to Skype with Lauren, Allie's older sister who was out of town. We tried to get the video working, but all we could get was audio...at least she could listen to the birth.)
Dr. Swing came in around 10:15, and everything was ready to go. Jake and I stood next to Allie's bed as we watched the baby crown. Between pushes Jake was making jokes, which made all of us laugh, including Allie. Then, in 2 maybe 3 pushes, Adelynn Grace Smith was born, and we heard the sweet sound of a newborn baby crying! It was so amazing to watch this beautiful little girl come into the world! I immediately picked up the camera and started snapping pictures. (Did Allie just have a baby because she looked beautiful...she didn't even break a sweat!) Over the next 30-45 minutes, I took tons of pictures of everything that was going on (Allie holding her, the nurses cleaning her, getting her first footprints, Jake cutting the cord, Jake holding her...you name it, I got it). After the nurses finished cleaning up everything, Miss Gail brought Ava into the room. I began taking more pics of the now family of 4! It was such an amazing experience, and I was honored that I was able to be apart of it! It was awesome to see the process, and it kind of prepared me a little more for what we will go through soon (well maybe not as quick of a labor, but I am definitely praying for that).
Here are a few pics of baby Addie that I took with my iPhone and Jake and Allie sent to me. I am not gonna post any that I took with my camera because I want them to see them first. But I will post more later.
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| Adelynn Grace Smith born August 4th, 2011 at 10:21am, 7lbs 10z, 20.5 in long |
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| This was later the same day |
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| She looks so much like Ava as a baby, except she has black hair (Ava had dark brown). |
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| Yesterday I went back to spend some time with Allie and Addie. I got to hold her while she slept. She already looks a little different than she did when she was born. |
Jake and Allie, Congratulations, and thank you so much for allowing me to be apart of such an amazing moment in your lives. I am honored that you would let me witness such a miracle. Thank you for your friendship, and we look forward to the many memories that we will share with you! We love you guys!!!
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