How Big Is She?

Avery is a great eater and it is absolutely delighting my heart! Gavin did not have a strong sucking reflex as an infant and it was very difficult to get him to latch on initally. This involved visits with lactation consultants, bi-weekly weigh-ins with his pediatrician, and supplementing with formula. This little girl is a different story.

As I mentioned previously, Avery came out of the womb smacking her lips and sucking like a vacuum cleaner. She hasn't had any problems eating. At all. It's sort of blowing my mind, actually. I don't even need to pump to increase my milk supply. I'm getting a bit lazy with pumping, in fact, because it's such a delight to feed her. Her weight is great, and she's been gaining about 11 ounces per week for the last three weeks. Crazy that she left the hospital at 7.7, and is now well over 11 pounds in less than two months.

I love this chubby little girl and it is so gratifying to know that I am feeding her 100% and helping give her life. Maybe you'll understand when I say that it's even...joyous! Mommy sigh.

Getting It Done

A lovely photographer named Lindsay took Avery's photo when she was nine days old. We were really pleased with the photos of the baby, although the family photos weren't so hot. I know I was still on serious pain medication during the photo shoot because I let Lindsay photograph the family sitting on our unmade bed. First of all, that looked pretty crappy, and second, Joe was toppling over as Gavin was jumping on him and looked super uncomfortable in every shot. Boo.

Seven weeks later, I finally placed my order for Avery's photos tonight. The family shot may not have worked out, but there is a precious one of Gavin with Baby A. If I had a digital copy I would share it here, but in the meantime, enjoy a few of the babe.

Welcome to the World, Baby Girl

We are thrilled to announce the birth of our baby girl, Avery Pearl, born September 21, 2011 at 10:18 a.m. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 1/2 ounces, and 19 inches.

Avery was born via planned c-section, and her birth went very smoothly. Her OB was on-hand for her birth, which greatly put my mind at rest. I think I experienced a few contractions the day before Avery's birth (I say "think" since I'd never before experienced a contraction), so rested on the couch that entire day so as to not take any chances on an early arrival.

That Wednesday morning, Joe and I headed for the hospital at about 8:30 a.m. (Gavin was already with his grandparents) where I checked in and began surgery prep. My doctor came in to check the fibroid one last time and, sure enough, it was so big she could literally touch it (gross!), leaving no doubt that I was headed for surgery. After she prayed with Joe and me, because she's just awesome like that, they had me walk into the OR.

Unlike Gavin's birth, where the details are a little fuzzy because of nerves, I was really alert and aware of everything happening this time. This had benefits since I wanted to really absorb Avery's delivery, but it also had its pitfalls since I was pretty aware of everything happening with the surgery! I kept thinking about the advice my friend, Jenn, had given me weeks before, just after her c-section as the same hospital, "Just don't look up into the light above your head since you'll be able to see part of the surgery in the reflection."

I didn't have the shivers and shakes during the spinal this time, but did have what felt like an electric shock, which according to my doctor meant that the medicine found it's way to the proper place. I must say that Joe didn't do a very good job distracting me throughout the beginning of the surgery since he was so nervous. "Hey, Joe, do you think you could talk to me so I don't have to listen to surgical tools cut my body open?"

After 20 minutes or so, beautiful Avery was lifted out. What a set of lungs! And what hugely chubby, kissable cheeks! She had a shock of brown-black hair and cried non-stop while they cleaned her up and weighed her. Joe then brought her near my face, where I softly began talking to her. She abruptly stopped crying, opened her eyes and stared intently at me. It was magical. The girl then had the nerve to start smacking her lips...loudly! It was like she was saying, "Okay, I'm out. Now feed me." Not surprisingly, she was a great eater, latching on and not wanting let go.

I can't imagine a more amazing experience than the birth of my children. God really outdid himself with the creation of all of us, didn't he?