Ice Ice Baby...part 1

(A month later....I am finally getting to blog documentation of our girls birthday, I may or may not get through this post, I am currently writing with my girl, strapped to my chest, we will see how long she thinks the Moby is a cool idea or not.)



Ice, Ice, baby, indeed.  Not as in Vanilla, but our Ice baby is sweeter than any chocolate or vanilla combined.  I may have to pick my nicknames a little more carefully next time around, because my winter baby did not disappoint.  After 3 weeks worth of our Dr. saying "any day now" and me walking around in a semi-labor state, at week 38 1/2 I finally decided, enough was enough.  I/my dr. called it quits on my 2 hour daily commute, I called my mom in for moral support and we went on full baby watch mode.  That week was one of the most vivid/surreal weeks of my life....  We knew baby Annabelle was on her way, just weren't quite sure when, so we waited, and waited and waited.  Mom and I did not waste our days away, instead we filled every ounce of the day with activity upon activity thinking it would spur on our little girl. B-dub was especially busy that week at work, so having grandma Susie in town was just what the Dr. ordered for this very anxious mommy!

The week before our little winter baby's birthday, was a week for the record books.  Late January and 80 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, perfect spring/summer weather day after day.  Every morning I had a little pep talk with my girl, letting her know that the forecast said it was a beautiful day for a birthday, but little did I know there were other plans in store.  During our week off, mom and I went to the spa, went shopping, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, cooked, and walked miles and miles all in hopes something would bring on the contractions.  Careful what you wish for....

Then the troops arrived, Auntie Camille, cousin Caris, Grandpa JJ, and Auntie Shelby all came down on Saturday, Jan. 29 in hopes that the newest little addition would be coming soon.  I had my Dr. appointment scheduled for that Monday the 31st and we were all convinced he would admit me in the next day or so to have this baby....

Then a reality check, that Monday the Dr. told us just what were were afraid of, it could be another week or so, and we wouldn't try and intervene for at least 5 more days...WHAT!!!  I cried, so ready to meet my baby, my comfort level had maxed weeks ago, and all  my family was in town for the big birthday.  Not to mention we were expecting the worst winter storm in Dallas in 50 years the following day,  not quite what you would call suitable for traveling visitors.  But all pleading aside, we decided Friday, Feb. 4th was the earliest we would induce and B-dub and I left, fully prepared to celebrate our girls birthday on Friday.  I pushed my family out the door, less they be stuck here for an entire week with the ice well on its way.  In a frenzy everyone left as fast as they came, gearing up for the return trip Thursday night.  Well, that evening the ice came, and came and came and came.  Covering Dallas in inches and inches of winter precipitation, and just like that our week of spring turned into a winter wonderland, and we weren't going anywhere.  For the first time in a week, I stayed in my pj's all day, didnt shower, no make-up, no blow dryer, no anything.  I sat on the couch and rested, after all I needed my strength for Friday's festivities.

During the mad dash out the door, mom decided she would stay. So it was the three (four) of us, Bobby, Me, Mom, and Annabelle  cozied up for a day indoors.  True to form, our winter girl heard her cue, at 5:00 that evening I started feeling horrible.  Not wanting to alarm anyone I stayed quiet, and rode through the ever increasing pain.  6:30 rolls around and I was not hiding my feelings very well, I broke down and told Bobby, I may be having contractions, but dont get too excited.  We waited.  Not long after, like 5 minutes, I had another, then another, then another.  Interesting.  We let mom in on what was going on, but didnt get to dramatic about it, very unlike me.....

Finally, I couldnt take it, I told Bobby to go start scraping the ice off the car, the only place I could think of was the hospital.  When we finally made the decision to go, things seemed like they went in Fast Forward.  I threw my things into my bag, slapped some makeup under my eyes, and tried to not throw up the dinner I just ate....and off we went.  B-dub was in for the drive of a lifetime.  What would normally take 15 minutes, was taking well over 30, the streets were bricks of ice and we were sliding every so carefully over the top of them trying to make it to Labor & Delivery.  Through contractions, I called the family to tell them, Annabelle may have decided to come early.  But there was just no way they were going to be able to make it in for the evening events.  Thank goodness for the i-phone.

Finally we got checked in to our delivery room, and even though no one was convinced I was in full labor, I knew were were in it for the long haul that night.  Labor came on fast and furious, and an hour after the nurse almost sent us back home, we were prepping for a delivery, and all I could think was where exactly was the Dr.  Any dr.  Just a dr. of some sort, to stop the pain, to check on my baby, anyone to help us out.  Apparently Dr's aren't in full force at midnight on coldest day of the year in history.  At 1:00 am I finally got some relief with an epidural, and some friendly faces.  True to best friend form Alise & Nick braved the ice and drove 30 minutes at midnight to be there for Annabelle's birthday.  They were such troopers, but were committed to staying until Annabelle was in our arms safe and sound.

Sparing the lengthy and somewhat dramatic details, the hours from 2:00 to 4:00 am will forever be ingrained in my mind.  Somewhere between starting to push, finally being seen by a Dr, my B-dub intervening on our behalf in front of every nurse in the hospital,  my mom being my labor coach, and the Dr. making me just mad enough, we delivered our girl.  4:22 am exactly, and exactly 22 minutes after the Dr. made his announcement that there was absolutely no way I was going to be able to deliver her without some medical intervention.  Little did he know, I was just determined enough, had a powerful prayer force on my side, and had the 2 best labor coaches around....because between 4:00 and 4:22 we had our girl in our arms.  My miracle.  Forever she will be.

Annabelle Grace, graced us with her presence weighing in at 6 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long 2-2-11.  Our girl was here. In my arms, staring up at me, I was forever changed.  I was transformed into mother.  My husband was transformed into daddy and our world was turned upside down.


** pictures and part two to come......