Ava graced us with her presence on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 7:25 pm. She weighed 7lbs 7oz and is 20.5 inches long. 
It feels like the past week has been a big blur! Sunday night, I remember telling Nick that I was so ready to just have my baby here and she could come whenever she wanted. I sat on the couch talking to Ava in my belly, I told her that she didn’t have to wait any more and she is more than welcome to join our world whenever she was ready, but no pressure. Little did I know it would be the next day!! So here’s how it all happened… Monday morning at around 3:30am I was abruptly awakened by contractions that I had never before. (I didn’t feel any of this with Zoe because my water broke and I had an epidural) I tried so hard not to wake Nick up, but I couldn’t help but grab his hand with every contraction I had… They weren’t consistent and very random. I tried to lay in bed and tough it out but I just couldn’t lay there and wait for a contraction to happen… So I took a shower and decided I would google a bit about contractions and early labor. (It had been 4 years since I had this class so I needed a refresher as to what was going on) So I started timing the contractions, 18 mins, 3 mins, 20 mins, 16 mins…. And so on. I finally was able to relax and sleep for a few hours, then 6 am rolled around and I wanted so badly to stay home however my replacement/trainee was scheduled to start training and I couldn’t just call in on her first day of training. (I could have, but didn’t) So off to work I go… I had contractions all day, but still nothing consistent. I called the dr. and he said to keep timing and if they get 5-10 mins apart then go to hospital…. Well, they steadily got stronger but were not consistent. I trained (half assed due to contractions) all day, but when 4:30 rolled around and the contractions were 12-16 mins apart, I had to get home… I called Nick and told him what was going on and that I was going home to get Zoe and would continue to time them out and if they get worse or closer together, we would be going to the hospital. (My mom was headed to the house just incase we had to go) So I get Zoe at daycare at 5:25pm and get home, at this point they were coming more frequently, I wasn’t able to time them as I was busy getting her and trying to get her situated. We got home, I got Zoe settled in, I took a shower to try to relax but at this point the contractions were 5 mins or so apart and We NEEDED to go. (My mom showed up while I was in the shower and loaded up everything and Zoe) So my mom called Nick and told him it was time to meet us at the hospital and we were off…Quick Side Note: Zoe was a great support the whole time, she kept saying ‘It’s ok mommy, we are going to the hospital and you will be better’, I truly have the best kid ever!!
We got to the hospital at 6:18pm, I was triaged and checked in (thank goodness for pre-registration) I was dilated to 6cm when we got there…Nick showed up seconds after we did. They got me all hooked up and in an L&D room, checked me again and I was 7 cm. I asked for an epidural but when they checked my to make sure I could still get one, I was already to 8cm…. To late!! No Epidural for me!! I had contemplated going without medicine with this one, but that quickly went out the window. Apparently, Ava and my body didn’t feel the same way!! I didn’t think I was strong enough to do it, I have no tolerance for pain. I’m a Wuss!! But I somehow did it and I felt it all, and oddly enough the labor pain wasn’t the worst part, the contractions were! I yelled and screamed so loud that everyone could hear me in the waiting room (I was the only one delivering) and Zoe was terrified because her mommy was in pain. My water still hadn’t broken at this point and they were waiting to make sure my doctor and everything was set up in the room to break it because it would go so fast afterwards… So everything is ready, and my doctor breaks my water and my body told me to push, however the doctor told me to breathe through them, WHAT?!? Breathe through them? How? Why? I want to push!!! I couldn’t breathe through the contractions, I NEEDED to Push!! So I did and within 5-6 good pushes Ava made her debut!!! They laid her on my chest, She cried and whimpered! And nothing else mattered, the pain went away and it was just me and my new baby girl. She was perfect, all cheesy, bloody and oddly colored. She was mine and I was hers. Ava Cloee had stolen half of my heart within second of being born. (Zoe has the other half) Everything after that was pretty textbook. I had to have two stitches, they cleaned me up and cleaned her up. Surprisingly enough, I felt really good for just giving birth!
Nick and I decided that Zoe would be the first person to hold her. She was so excited to see her and to make sure that mommy was ok. The minute Nick and Zoe sat on that couch and Zoe saw her new best friend, I knew I was in for trouble. Zoe fell in love with her new baby sister, just as mommy had. Then everyone else (My Dad, Suzanne, Matt, Shane, Grandma Sharon, Grandma Ruth and Aunt Sandy) came in and saw our little one. Zoe immediately came over to me, got in bed and asked if I was ok? She said that I scared her cause she could hear me crying and she didn’t want me to be sad! (I truly love her) I reassured her that I was much better now that both of my girls were here with me and that I loved her very much! Ava had to be whisked away to the nursery for her first bath and all that fun stuff, so her entourage followed after her. Nick and Zoe escorted her down the hall and watched to make sure that little sister was ok. The nurse helped me get situated and moved to my postpartum room and I got some quiet time before everyone came back. I am a mommy of two! I gave birth without meds!!! I have a beautiful new baby girl!
So fast forward to now… We are home and everyone is happy! Zoe is all about kissing and hugging her little sister! Nick and I are in awe of our beautiful children. Nick has been really helping out with all the around the house stuff and keeping Zoe occupied, so I can tend to Ava. But I’m trying to give him some Ava time and get my own time with Zoe too. I know we are only on day 3, but so far so good!! 
I feel like Ava’s birth was a whirlwind event, but I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. She is so calm and chill, for now. She hardly cries, she loves to cuddle up at my neck. So far she is very low maintainence, but we are only on day 3!!
I will try to keep everyone posted on how we are doing and the adventures of Zoe and Ava over the next 6 weeks. (Zoe is staying home with me while on maternity leave) Until then, I hope everyone has a great week!!!
Take Care,
Stefanie
