She has arrived! And right on time...

Kaelyn Alyssa Powell has graced us with her beautiful presence at last! She was born on her due date of 8/30/12 at 9:36p.m. and came in at 8 pounds, 4 ounces, 20 inches long (although at her 5 day follow up appointment they measured her at 21 and 1/4 inches). When she made the decision to finally come, she wasted no time... Let me introduce you to our newest beautiful addition and then we will begin the birth story ;)

Now, her story... as every, well most every, pregnant woman, the last few days (maybe even weeks haha) I was EAGERLY anticipating her arrival and READY! I saw my doctor on August 29th for my scheduled 40 week appointment, and considering I wasn't really progressing, she expected I would go past my due date, and as such, scheduled an ultrasound to check fluid levels and at my request, the baby's weight. The ultrasound was scheduled for the next day, August 30th, and as I woke up and spent the day experiencing ZERO signs of labor, I was becoming more and more antsy for our little girl to arrive. Thankfully, Matt's mom (Grammie) was around during the last week to help out as my energy levels had decreased tremendously and I had reached complete discomfort. She accompanied me to my appointment to keep an eye on Emma. The drive to the appointment was a 30 minute drive and the weather went from sunny and 95 degrees to a rainy 78 degrees. We found it quite interesting and odd...refreshing of course, but nonetheless, odd. I get called back for the ultrasound and after about 5-10 minutes, I am told by the tech that this baby is measuring big and my fluids are low, so I am asked to sit tight while she calls my doctor to see what she may want to do with me. I am instructed to go to the doctor's office to review the results of the ultrasound and to make some decisions (induce, c-section, etc..) Needless to say, my mind is whirling with questions and concerns. With Emma, I had a smooth pregnancy and relatively smooth labor and delivery. No complications. I sort of expected the same, if not better (if that was even possible) with this labor and delivery. C-section was the furthest thought from my mind.

We wait over an hour before a nurse comes out and says that my doctor would like for me to return first thing the following morning to get another ultrasound and then to see her to discuss induction. If I didn't want to be induced, then she was going to schedule a c-section. That word again! UGH! I was bummed. They never gave me the exact weight but said baby was measuring over 9 pounds. So whether she decided to come on her own or not, we would have our beautiful baby girl by Friday 08/31/12 at the latest it seemed. That was the only good thing about this visit. My main concern about the c-section was recovery and trying to chase my toddler around. Even though we have the help of Grammie, I couldn't fathom being on restricted activity for weeks of recovery.

We drive home. Back to the 95 degree and sunny weather. Matt has now text and said he has a fantasy football draft to attend and since it doesn't sound like baby is coming, he's going to join the guys in Beaumont (a 45 minute drive from our house). Grammie and I get home about 5:30pm and decide we'll just pick up Jersey Mike's for dinner. I volunteer to make the run while Grammie stayed home with Emma. 5 minutes into my drive I feel my first contraction. At the time I wasn't too sure what it was, but looking back, definitely a contraction. A few minutes later I get another. Standing in line at Jersey Mike's I get another... I decide, maybe I'll text Matt and Grammie to let them know. Grammie says to come home, I say "no rush!"! I get the food, and driving home, another contraction... I finally decide that maybe Matt should make his way home... we MAY be going to the hospital tonight.

I walk into the house, food in hand, and another contraction. Gotta feed Emma so I attempt to make her a grilled cheese. Failed at it as the pain and consistency of the contractions were increasing exponentially. I call my brother and ask him to come get Emma STAT. Matt gets home about 7:45. He hasn't eaten. He plans to go through a drive thru. Mind, Emma's labor was 13+ hours with Petocin. We both consider that and say, okay, drive thru. We are in McDonalds drive through at 8:15pm...the BUSIEST drive thru around!! Ten minutes later, and 3 contractions, we are on our way to the hospital. We check in about 8:40 and as the nurse checks me, I am shaking uncontrollably, not knowing why, and extremely apologetic to her... she says I am 8 cm!! They rush me across the hall to a delivery room. Start to hook up my IV and I ask where the doctor is... she is 15 MINUTES AWAY! Not even in the hospital... she is AWAY and I am ready to push... sure enough 9pm and I am 10 cm and being told not to push! UGH! I have to wait for the doctor... Okay... pain I can handle.. not pushing??? Not gonna happen. So Mr. Anesthesiologist gave me something that took the edge off...kicked in in 10 seconds and while I still felt the contractions, I no longer had the urge to push. Doctor arrived, and within 10 minutes of pushing, Kaelyn was born.

During all of this, Grammie was waiting in the waiting room. She was the only one there. Matt sends a group picture text of our little sweet pea to announce her QUICK arrival to everyone he could. While they are cleaning Kaelyn up, Grammie texts Matt and asks if everything is okay... we were a bit confused only to find out she never received the announcement! She was the first to meet Kaelyn so i guess that makes up for it ;)

Once we get to the post partum room, the nurse comes in and comments on how busy labor and delivery is that night. She proceeds to explain that when the weather is crazy like it had been that day, L&D gets busy and the belief is that the change in the barometric pressure has a part in inducing contractions in pregnant women... truth or not, I'm buying it! It's the only thing that explains the quick onset of labor I experienced! And thankfully so... Kaelyn obviously wasn't on board with medical intervention for her arrival :) The next morning, my doctor calls me, congratulates me and tells me that the ultrasound measured the baby at 9 pounds 13 ounces!!! Way off.

So needless to say, Kaelyn's birth story is eventful but in the end, healthy and for the most part, as "planned". 

Big Sissy got to meet Kaelyn the following morning. Initially, Emma was quite clingy to me. I assume due to being away from us over night (which was only the second time since she's been born; the first time being last November!). Once she warmed up a little, we showed her Baby Sis in the bassinet. She wasn't too sure what to think, and quickly became more interested in everything in the room. She expressed some curiosity of sissy but it was short lived and easily distracted with sissy's diapers and the mechanics of the hospital bed :)

Since bringing Kaelyn home, Emma has wanted to hold her, kiss her and hug her. She helps out by bringing her receiving blankets and blankets to me, throwing away dirty diapers, even helped clean her tushy during one diaper change, helped me give her a bath and has shown signs of being protective of her. Where we have had some difficulties is Emma has had her days of being completely defiant and uncooperative with me, Grammie and Daddy. It has been an adjustment in terms of my divided attention towards her. However, she seems to be coming back around to her usual sweet, and helpful self. It may take some time, but we'll continue to work with her and show her she is still just as much loved! Nothing changed there...

Here are just a few pictures taken over the last week. Enjoy!!