Layla Elane Ross

Well she is here!! Miss Layla Elane Ross was born on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at 1:42 am weighing 7 pounds, 2 oz and 19.5 inches long!  It was a crazy fast delivery!  Here is the story of her delivery and tons of pictures of our new little princess!

On Monday evening we had a steak dinner and spent time with our families before I was set to go into the hospital for the induction.  I was really hoping to go naturally but it didn't happen!  Those last few hours were really emotional for me.  I was really nervous to be induced and to give birth again.  More so, I was really emotional about the changes that were coming to our family.  I felt for Brady because his world was about to be turned upside down and I knew that our relatively calm life would be a little crazy for awhile.  We said goodbye, went to the Redbox to rent some movies (inductions usually take forever), and arrived at the hospital at 7:00 pm.  They hooked me up to IVs, asked a bunch of questions, and by 8:30 the cytotec was in to start softening my cervix.  We popped in The Descendants and settled in to watch the movie and hopefully get some rest.  Since I had gestational diabetes they had to check my blood sugar periodically so I figured we were going to have a lot of interruptions throughout the night.  My blood pressure was high too because I was crazy nervous so they were also monitoring me for that too. Most of the time the pill does nothing and you end up starting pitocin in the morning, so that's what we fully expected to happen.  At about 10:30 I started having some cramping in my back that was happening about every 2 minutes.  I told the labor nurse that I was feeling pain and she said nothing was showing up on the monitor but that I could be very well just having some contractions.  They continued happening every 2 minutes and I told Brian that he should come over here and pause the movie because I thought I was in labor.  After a couple of minutes I told Brian to go get the nurse because I was feeling weird. I stood up and my water broke all over the floor. My water didn't break Brady so it was a crazy feeling!  I went to the bathroom and then she checked me. I was at 5 cm.  I had come in at 2 cm so this was quite the progress.  Contractions were still coming every 2 minutes so she suggested the whirpool.  I sat in there for awhile and couldn't believe the amount of pain I was in already.  I decided that if I was going to get the epidural, I needed to get out and get it now.  We walked back to the room, she checked me, and I was at 7 cm in a matter of about 20 minutes!  She said well the epidural guy (don't feel like spelling his actual title!) is about 30 minutes out and I don't think it's going to be worth it at that point.  I was super scared then, a natural labor is not something I was anticipating AT ALL!  So I powered through each and every painful contraction.  I started feeling a lot of pressure and she checked me and I was still at a 7.  I got up and went to the bathroom again and sat on an exercise ball.  At that point I started to feel the urge to push, she checked me and I was 8-9 cm.  At this time they said you need to call the doctor NOW!  I could hear them saying they couldn't get ahold of her either and all I could think was this child is coming out soon!! I  was then at 10 cm and my body started pushing her out. Dr. Taggart got there as soon as she was crowning and within 2 contractions she was born!  All of this was in a matter of 3 hours.  And this time no tears, no stitches.  I got to hold her right away which was just about the best feeling ever!! It feels pretty cool to be able to say I had a natural labor even though I fully wasn't intending on it! 

All hooked up and ready to start the induction!

 

Just hanging out in the whirlpool room. This was taken in between contractions!

So much pain! Pretty sure I flicked Brian off after he took this picture!

And she's here! So much love!

Love her so much

The three of us right after she was born

Miss Layla

I'm here!!

The way the movie was paused.  Thank you George Clooney for attending Layla's birth

Our princess. She is the sweetest, calmest little thing!

We named her Layla because we just loved that name.  We didn't personally know any Laylas and we just thought it was a sweet girly name.  We like the song too!  Her middle name, Elane, is a combination of her grandmother's names Eilleen and Alane.

I love the frilly hats and bows!!!

Nana meeting Layla. Papa stayed back with Brady (who interestingly enough woke up at exactly 1:42 screaming. Weird, huh?!  It's like he knew!!) Nana, Grandma, and Grandpa came up to the hospital when Brian sent them a text that I was 8 cm and they made it to the floor right after she was born.

Grandma meeting Layla

Grandpa with Layla

Papa meeting Layla

Nana and Papa

Our family of 4

Layla with all of her grandparents. So blessed to have them all there!

Big brother Brady meeting his sister!

Ahh so you're the baby we've been talking about forever!

Brady opening his present from his sister.  Also, the video of meeting Layla.

Going home! (Wednesday, May 16)

Checking out Layla

Such a pretty, sweet girl!

Going on our first walk with the double stroller!

I think she liked it! :)

The second day we went to the squadron picnic and aircraft tour.  Layla and I spent the majority of the time in the car feeding but it was fun nonetheless!

So I have been freaked out for months about bringing home a new baby.  Anytime I would hold another kid Brady would have a huge meltdown.  We tried everything to prepare him.  Telling him about HIS baby, reading stories, practicing with a baby doll, etc.  He has been doing SO great with her, I can't believe it.  He is gentle with her, wants to bring her her blanket, pacifier.  He tells her that she's cute and silly and can even say Layla.  He's been a little out of sorts with us, but that is to completely be expected.  We've had tantrums and some jealousy but it's been worlds better than I thought it would be!  He hates when she cries too but it's getting better.

Brady kneeling by his little sister

Hi Layla!

Kiss, Layla!

So sweet!

Love seeing Daddy with his little girl

Little Miss having her first bath at home

This morning Brady took us all by surprise and asked to hold her!  He was so sweet with her!

All of my babies! :)

We are so blessed and can't thank you all enough for your well wishes!! I'll try to be good about putting up pictures! A special thanks to our parents.  We can't thank you enough for watching Brady

and the house and Rascal while we were gone, not to mention the support you all have given us! We're lucky enough to have Grandma on loan for another week and are so thankful for her and her help!  Off to go feed the princess! :)