Saturday, January 16, 2010

Welcome to the world, Aubrey Kathryn

Well, despite my apprehension about being induced, and wondering several times on Thursday whether I should postpone the induction...Friday arrived and we headed to the hospital.

One last picture of being pregnant with Miss Aubrey - at 9 days overdue.


The morning was uneventful. I would venture to say it was boring. They started pitocin at 10:10 am and by 2:30 pm I had progressed from 3 cm (what I was at 3 days before) to 4 cm. After over 4 hours, I had progressed a whole centimeter. Pathetic! I was still pretty comfortable and was not too impressed with how slowly things were moving. I started to worry that this wasn't going to work.


However, things quickly changed. At 2:30, after some difficulty getting it done, the resident broke my water. And, I would say that for the next hour, it was not a pretty site. I was a sweaty, moaning mess. Wayne's hand worked wonders as a squeezing, pressure relieving device.
After my water broke, the contractions were...well, you know, horrible. So, I had asked for an epidural. It took awhile to be put in and by 3:15, when I wasn't supposed to feel pain anymore, I was hollering that it was still REALLY hurting and WHERE IS MY MEDICINE!?! The next 15 minutes, especially, are a blur. Before we knew it, I was pushing and at 3:33 pm, she was born. Another anesthesiologist who had arrived to try to help me out by upping my medicine at the end, succeeding in making me numb...for the post-delivery fun. (Oh, my doctor made it after she was born too. She just came so quickly).
But, what really matters is that Aubrey Kathryn Stuckey arrived safe and sound.
Weighing in at 7 pounds, 8.5 ounces and 19 inches long. She seems so tiny compared to Tyler's 9 pounds 5 ounces. She has a head of dark hair and the Wagler nose.
She has a healthy set of lungs and already loves her pacifier. The nurses have cautioned me against giving it to her until she gets nursing down. But really, that's hard. She really loves it.
Here are a few pictures soon after she was born.








My mom flew in last night and will stay until Tuesday. I am happy to see her, and happy for the help.
We'll try to get some better shots of Aubrey. I know it doesn't make much sense, but she doesn't look like herself in these pictures. I'll post more soon.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers and well wishes. We are so thankful, and happy to be home.

11 comments:

Beth said...

She's beautiful, even if she doesn't look like herself!
I like the one with Wayne too, he does look like himself!! Great job mommy!!!

Carrie said...

YYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to see her!!! I love you, Aubrey Catharine!! You are so dear and sweet and I can't wait to see even more pictures of you!! I know what you mean about the not looking like themselves in the pictures. That seems like a newborn characteristic. Glad you are back home - enjoy the baby love!!! :)

p.s. my unofficial opinion on the pacifier is that if she has a strong suck reflex already, she will be just fine even if you give her the pacifier. The pacifier has not messed up my kid's ability to learn to breastfeed at all. And it is SO nice to have it to soothe them.

Carrie said...

Oops. Sorry. I spelled her middle name wrong. Bad auntie. Bad auntie.

Rachel Kathryn said...

Yay! So happy to see the pics and hear the story. I'm excited to hear more. Take care, and enjoy this lil' peanut! She's just beautiful... :)

Rustin and Lynette Polinder said...

yipeeeeeeeeeee so excited to have a new little niece. can't wait to meet her in person!!!!

Jen Bontrager said...

Congratulations, Melody!

Kathy Beachy said...

Thanks for the pictures! Looking forward to when you can come to Indiana and introduce her to all of us. Ouch! on the labor, it was probably good Tyler wasn't there. Great Aunt says, welcome Aubrey Kathryn!

Anonymous said...

everything about this post leaves a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.. just beautiful! i am so happy for you guys!--betsy :)

anna said...

beautiful baby aubrey! hope you continue doing well.

Unknown said...

Way to go Mel! I really think her name should be Aubrey Katrina though. Ha-Ha! Can't wait to see you all.

Kris said...

Yea!!! Congratulations! I can't wait to meet the little sweetie pie.