Isabella Grace

Our Isabella Grace is finally here and we couldn't be more happy! She is so perfect and beautiful. We are so in love with her and we are all wrapped around her little fingers. She was born at 38 weeks, one week before my scheduled c-section date. Saturday night June 1st, Jake and I were relaxing on the couch downstairs watching Rocky, Jake's favorite, and about halfway into the movie I had a contraction. I didn't pay much attention to it because at that point I was having many braxton hicks contractions. But five minutes later I had another, then five minutes after that another, and they were getting more intense. After about four contractions five minutes apart I told Jake. I knew what his response would be so that's why I waited to mention anything. Sure enough I was right, he jumped of the couch and said we need to call the hospital,  and that he needed to pack a bag. I said no, I suggested we finish the movie and relax and that the contractions will go away. They didn't, so after an hour went by Jake ran upstairs to shower and pack his bag, my bag and baby's bag were already ready to go :) We then called the hospital and the nurse said if they continue for the next hour to come in. They did, so we called my mom and at around midnight she arrived, her bag in tow, and off we went to Clovis Community Hospital!
Once we arrived we checked in and they wheeled me off to labor and delivery. There  in triage the nurses checked me and monitored my contractions for another hour. I continued to dilate and so they confirmed I was in active labor and called my Dr. Dabbs. Lucky for us my doctor was on call that night/morning and she came in around 2 am. They also called in the anesthesiologist and I felt bad for waking everyone up. I could see lines on her face from just waking up  haha. That made me a little nervous, I was thinking, wake up people, big job to do! At 3 am. they hooked me up to an IV, which took a couple tries due to the nurse sticking the IV into the artery in my wrist and collapsing it (ouch). I still have a bruise that runs along my wrist to my elbow where the artery used to be. At around 3:30 am they wheeled me into the Operating Room and that is where I said goodbye to Jake for a moment, and the anesthesiologist gave me my spinal block, which took her three times to do (another big ouch). Soon after I was prepped and ready for surgery and the Dr.s and nurses came in and Jake followed. Twenty minutes later Isabella was born, crying louder than any of my boys :) It was no nice to hear her, loud and strong and healthy. She is our smallest baby, so petite and adorable!

After she was born Jake cut her cord and walked with her over to the nurses station to check her stats, then he carried her over to me as I was impatiently waiting to hold and kiss her! Seeing her face for the first time, just like with my boys, was heaven on earth. Such a sacred experience. I will never forget it. Falling in love instantly. Baby and I and Jake were taken to my recovery room and there she had her first bath and met Grandma Linda and Aunt Julie for the first time.

I was given morphine, for the first time, during surgery and that made the first 24 hours after delivery interesting. I was in no pain of course but I was nauseated and so tired, I could barely keep my eyes open for visitors and when I would be talking to Jake or holding Bell I would fall asleep. It was so frustrating. The next two days in the hospital were better and we enjoyed getting to know each other, snuggling and staring at our little girl and welcoming visitors. When Jonathon and Caleb arrived to see their little sister for the first time, they were so shy. They were nervous about seeing me in the hospital bed, all the machines, and seeing Bella. They warmed up after a bit when they saw that we were happy and okay, and they were all smiles and excitement when they got to hold and touch her. Now they can't keep their hands off her, they want to hold her and help out constantly. It's so cute. She is so loved! This recovery has been my easiest and quickest yet. I already feel back to somewhat normal. I'm so grateful that she arrived safely and that I am healthy. Now, a week later, we are still adoring over her night and day, even being sleep deprived we have no complaints! She is such a great baby, I love this newborn stage and hope it goes by very slowly. Each day with her is a dream come true, I have been waiting for my daughter my whole life. It is the cutest thing in the world seeing Jake with Bell, he is in heaven and is so in love. We couldn't be happier!