Just a Little Behind...

I might be just a tad bit behind on my blogging. I have been scolded asked to update my blog by a few close friends. I'll try to catch everyone up with some of the things that have been going on. For starters..

This little cutie made her appearance!

Caroline Grace Stearns was born May 16, 2012 at 5:30 pm at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock. She weighed 7lbs 12 oz and was 21 inches long. She made a very exciting entrance into the world. I began having contractions that Tuesday during school and noticed that they were pretty consistent. They were coming every 5-7 minutes and were getting to be pretty intense. I was forced told to go home and try and get some rest. After a couple of hours of rest and no relief from the contractions, we made our way to the hospital. Parker was in denial the entire time that we were actually going to the hospital. Not until I was in a gown and in a bed did she finally get it. (Poor thing). Because I was 36 weeks and 6 days according to my doctor, they didn't want to admit me. So, I was given all kinds of medication to stop the contractions. Nothing seemed to be working and at 4:30 a.m., my water broke! This little girl was ready to come out into the world. After my water broke, it seemed like my labor was really progressing. I was dilating very quickly and the contractions were coming and quite painfully at that! I was given my epidural and was ready to start pushing about 1:30 p.m. I started pushing and she seemed to be making her way but then was not making any progress. I kept pushing and kept pushing and was finally EXHAUSTED! The suggestion was made of doing a c-section. Never in all of my thoughts during pregnancy and going to the hospital did a c-section come into my mind. Once it was suggested by my doctor, I panicked and began bawling. To me I felt like I had failed. I wasn't able to deliver a baby, so I felt like I had done something wrong. I know this is a silly feeling to have but was what was going through my mind nonetheless. So, I was taken to an operating room and they began prepping me for a c-section. Obviously there are many risks when you have any type of surgery but at this moment that was the furthest thing from my mind. All I could think of was that I was freezing and I was sleepy!!! I didn't even realize that I had been cut open and a baby had been pulled out of me! I know I heard some crying (which is the most beautiful sound btw) and happened to look over at Jeff and see my beautiful baby girl looking back at me. Everything about the delivery is fuzzy ,and Jeff had to brush me up to speed on when she was born and how much she weighed. What seemed like a pretty normal delivery turned into a scary one. The doctor and nurses seemed a little panicky and actually asked Jeff to take the baby back to the room. Apparently when they pulled Caroline out, the doctor hit two major arteries in my uterus and I lost a LOT of blood. I believe it was 3 units. While I was still in the operating room, I was given a blood transfusion of 2 units of blood. I knew something wasn't right, but of course I couldn't figure out why. I was going in and out of consciousness and kept asking the anesthesiologist if I was okay. He assured me I was but still.... There were tons of thoughts going through my head as they tried to fix me up. I was sewn up (more like stapled) and taken back to my room where I was greeted by SO many family members. All were here to see the new addition, but were also here to make sure I was okay. I am VERY blessed to have so many caring family members. Caroline was born healthy and was doing great. I was monitored and given more blood and seemed to be doing great too. Finally, Sunday we were able to leave the hospital and GO HOME! My parents were gracious enough to keep Parker for me while I was in the hospital and while we come home and became acclimated to another little one in the house.

Parker was finally able to see her little sister and she has been smitten with her like the rest of us :).

She loves to hold her baby sister, feed her, snuggle her, change her diaper (yes, its true).

We all seem to be adjusting wonderfully and are loving this little snuggle bunny that we have been blessed with!