Avery's Arrival......June 10, 2009

After a final night of holding avery in my belly I woke early before the alarm clock (4am) to get ready for the big day. Too excited to sleep any longer. Took a soak in the tub and savored the little kicks. (this was one of my favorite times during the pregnancy) I gathered last minute items, did one last load of laundry, and woke up jason. With some anxiety we headed out the door in the dark and began the journey to Sacred Heart. On the way there every song reminded me of Avery or our 3 big kids and I teared up several times on the ride in. Many thoughts filled my mind, how JT wasn't going to be the baby anymore, and how Alyssa and Alexis would have new roles to fill as well. I knew that when we returned home in a few days our house would never be the same again, and that brought smiles and tears at the same time. One of the songs that made me tear up was "Unwritten" by Natasha Beddingfield. As i heard the words to the chorus, I thought about how Avery's story was just beginning and I couldn't wait to be a part of it as it develops and watch him come into this world and grow...and then realizing how so very fast all of that would happen.

The early stages were pretty uneventful. I had brought a few movies with me and was able to catch a chick flick while in labor. Everything was moving along at a turtle's pace because the doctor wasnt able to come up to the hospital to break my water until after lunch. Everything was going pretty smoothly still...got the epidural, contractions got stronger...watched more of the movie.... Then his heart rate began to fluctuate a little. They tried a few technics to improve this as I approached the time to push. Finally the doctor said it was time to push...so, I huffed and I puffed and I pushed and I pushed...but little avery just wasn't budging. Later on Dr. George explained that he was turned in a difficult position and being a little hard-headed. So, at 9:00pm the decision was made to deliver via c-section. This was a first for me, but after a long day I knew this was the best thing. So just 33 minutes later little Avery made his entrance into the world and Dr. George helped up a perfect little miracle. He was wisked away and measured and Daddy was able to cut the cord. All 7 pound 11 ounce and 20.5 inches of Avery Bennett Grizzard had officially entered the world!!

On a side note the c-section was kinda wild. They had me numbed up from the shoulders down and it was kind of a weird feeling having them literally move things around to get to Avery and then putting them back. I was VERY thankful for the anesthesiologist...and may have told him he was my new best friend?! lol. Finally they were all done and I was taken to the recovery room where I got to hold precious Avery for the first time. (awwww) Finally in my arms. Jason and I spent about an hour with him before he was taken to the newborn nursery to be cleaned, warmed and bundled. So thankful that he was actually there with us and already completely and utterly in love with the new man in my life!