Jovie Mariah's Birthday

On Thursday morning, Mike and I arrived at the hospital right at 6 am! When you have a scheduled c-section, you don't get that exciting moment of telling your friends and family members that the baby has arrived - because they already knew what day to expect her. So this time, we tried hard to keep it quiet. 

I was a complete and total wreck and shook through the entire pre-op preparations to the point where the anesthesiologist had to give me a pep talk. I was so worried about how I almost passed out during Easton's birth - but they were very aware of went wrong during that delivery and worked hard to not let it happen again. I was so thankful. Everyone in the operating room was so so nice. Instead of having Mike go with the baby like I have had him do with Grayson and Easton, I asked him to stay with me and that made the world of difference. Every time I started to feel anxious, Mike would talk me down.

It helped that everyone in the room was joking around, that they had hilarious music playing thanks to the anesthesiologist and there was definitely a celebratory spirit around us! 

I have to share that I went in for monitoring the Monday before she was born, and the nurses struggled to get a heartbeat on her. Her skipping heartbeat wasn't so pronounced but she still had a bit of arrhythmia. On the morning of my surgery, as I laid on the operating table, I could hear them trying to find her heartbeat with the doppler and...nothing. My doctor said, "We know it's there - let's not mess with that anymore."

When Jovie was born, she was checked thoroughly and her heartbeat? It is perfect. Perfect. Many many answered prayers culminated right there! 

She was 6lbs 14.9 oz, 20 inches long and born at 8:00 am.

All in all, this surgery went a lot better. Recovery has been a breeze up until today (Day 8) where I hit a wall because I have been doing too much - so I took some time to just rest. It helps IMMENSELY that Mike has paternity leave, and he has been seeing to everything for me - and for the boys. I am so thankful for him.

I will post later about how things are going now that we are home.

And now...some pictures! :)

Laying eyes on each other for the first time.

First selfie!

The boys came to visit. Grayson was very nervous and concerned. Easton was so excited to see the baby, and when they left I could hear him crying and saying, "Bye bye Mommy." Heart-breaking! Mom said when they got into the car he cried for the baby and for me. 

Dad didn't get to hold Jovie until the following day. I was so bummed he had to wait so long! I am sure he will catch up on his baby snuggles though :)

Gray in his favorite tshirt. He wears it constantly. 

Sweet girl.

Love this picture of my mom, Jovie and me :)

Mike's parents visited a couple times.

I think Grandma Beth was in love at first sight!

It's fun to see my hubby as a daddy of a baby girl. He adores her!

The hospital had this blanket for us in the room. It screams me - the colors, the pattern, everything. So pretty!

Okay funny story. Two of my nurses run a Lula Roe business together. I follow their page on FB - their business concept is unique as they have a trailer that they take around from place to place that is air conditioned AND has dressing rooms! I recognized the one nurse immediately and said something to her about it, and that night when the other nurse was on duty brought me my own pair of leggings! I was so touched! It was hilarious trying to put them on after my shower - Mike had to help me because my legs were so swollen - but man were they comfy!!!!

Grayson (upper left), Easton (upper right), Jovie (bottom)
Jovie and Grayson share a lot of their looks! As babies anyway.

He commandeered my hospital bed that last half day we were at the hospital. :)