April 2013: Olivya Ann Carmack has Arrived!!!!!

Michael and I arrived at University of Minnesota - Fairview hospital just before 8am on Wednesday, April 24th (which I just need to mention that there was still snow on the ground on this date!!!) and we were quickly set up in a pre-op room as we met with doctors, nurses, students, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals to get ready for our scheduled c-section that would take place in 2 short hours from the time that we arrived to the hospital. Michael got his badge and we couldn't believe that our lives were about to be rocked once again!! 

As I entered the operating room, I was a bit nervous (ok, a lot nervous) that I would endure the same pain that I did when I had an unplanned c-section with Adelyn - even though my doctor was amazing and has been reassuring me over the past several weeks that it would NOT be the same experience (she was going to make sure of it!). After getting prepped and getting my spinal block, Michael came into the operating room as the surgery began. I remember we were joking around with the surgical team...talking about running (evidently there were a lot of runners in the room) and a bunch of other random stuff, and all of a sudden, my doctor said, "here comes the head!...and a shoulder and another shoulder....and she's out!!" 

...and just like that, Olivya Ann Carmack was born at 11:07am on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013. 

Michael and I stared at each other for what seemed to be 5 minutes (I bet it was about 8 seconds in reality) and then we both let out the breath of relief that we were holding as we heard our child cry for the first time (most amazing feeling ever!!). She. Was. Perfect. She came out with a head full of hair (would you expect any different?) and weighed 8 lbs, 2 oz and was 20" long. 

I couldn't believe it. I didn't feel a thing during my entire surgery!! (Evidently this is how c-sections are supposed to be, but based on my last experience, I didn't believe it). 

After finishing surgery and then going to the post-op/recovery room for 2 hours, we were finally wheeled up to our hospital room that we would consider "home" for the next 5 days. Shortly after we arrived in our room, my parents brought Adelyn in to meet her big sister and I think it would be an understatement to say that she was instantly in love with her. 

I'm not sure how I was expecting Adelyn to react to her new sister, but it was way better than anything I could have ever expected!! She was excited. She was protective. She wanted to hold her and love her and be by her side at all times (she even told Gramma "NO" when Gramma asked to hold Olivya). Adelyn came in and knew exactly who the new baby was...already giving her a nickname of "La la". Literally Adelyn couldn't take her eyes off of her.

And she was a pretty proud Big Sister to say the least...

Even when other people held Olivya, Adelyn had to be right there by her side...

But I don't blame her...we couldn't take our eyes off of her either...

yep...I'd say we are pretty proud parents!!

And before we knew it, it was already time to bring Olivya home...

And what a great transition it was when we got home! Of course we couldn't wait to break out the photo studio when we got home to take a few more pictures (that would be Michael taking the pictures...I'm just the one who tries to pose her)...

 Olivya fit right in and so far, the transition for Adelyn has been pretty seamless too! (Yes, Adelyn continues to make sure that she knows where Olivya is at all times, and she constantly is checking on how she is doing...). 

Olivya has done great the past few days at home!! She sure is a sleeper though!! (I'm DEFINITELY not complaining about that!). she just sleeps, eats, poops, and sleeps some more. (geesh. Typical baby...). 

And I'll leave you with this...just because it melts my heart to see my oldest daughter singing to my youngest daughter (whom Adelyn calls "Lala")...I feel truly blessed by my children (and my husband too!!) every single day. 

Life. It's a Definite Miracle.