Gemma Kay is here!!

Officially tomorrow, for 1 week!  Last Wednesday, June 11th at 1:35pm, we welcomed Gemma Kay in to our family.  I've said this before, and it didn't change this time around either, it's amazing how my heart can GROW to incorporate the massive amounts of love I have for her.  And I still have so much love for Micah and Reid.  Thank you God for creating us in such a way that we can continue to love each child more and more.  I have been humbled, once again, by the amazing creator.  He has blessed me with the most perfect family and the most perfect partner in life to go on this journey called parenting and share these wonderful memories with.  

Back to Gemma - she's here and we couldn't be more complete!  I still have to pinch myself to realize I'm not asleep :)  I do have 3 kids...I do have a little girl...and I'm NOT pregnant anymore, lol.  This birth was a bit different from the others in that it was scheduled.  Reid's was scheduled too, but that was at 41 weeks and I was doing my darndest to avoid the c-section with him.  While unsuccessful with Reid, we all ended up fine in the end and there was no chance of going that route with Gemma.  I researched before even getting pregnant to see if there were any places that would support a VBA2C, and found no place except University of Chicago.  That was ruled out, almost immediately, so I made my peace with a 3rd c-section and went ahead with a scheduled c-section.

The c-section was scheduled 3 days before my due date at 11:45.  Grandma and Grandpa came in on the 10th (their anniversary, no less!) and kindly stayed with the boys while we were in the hospital.  We took pictures in the morning - the last as our family of 4 - and then headed to the hospital.

When we arrived we were brought to our room and I got ready.  All the hoopla begins, and I'm sitting there waiting to have a baby :)  It was kind of surreal, as again, Reid and Micah were both so different. I was in labor with both of them and was not with Gemma.  We were even delayed on our surgery time, as an emergency c-section came in and pushed us back.  Such a strange feeling to not quite know when the birth was going to happen, but to be sitting there all hooked up to IVs and monitors waiting. My biggest anxiety came with the spinal block that was going to be my numbing method, as that was where things went WAY downhill with Reid.  I won't recap that here, but if you want to read about Reid's birth story, feel free.  I was trying to keep my emotions in check and so Christian and I played a few Friends episodes to help distract me.  While it felt like an eternity to me, we weren't delayed too long and at 1pm (surgery was supposed to be at 11:45) I was finally wheeled back to the OR room.

This was it!!  Lord, please be with me, be with the doctors, protect baby girl, and bring us out of this safe and sound on the other side.  Over and over.  Christian was left back in the room while I was being prepped.  And now came the spinal.  Tears welling in my eyes, breathing as calmly as I could, the needle was placed in my back.  Within 30 seconds, I felt warmth flooding through my legs, and I knew it had worked!  Praise the Lord.  They laid me back on the table and continued with the rest of the prep and at 1:25, Christian was brought in.  I was fully awake, fully numb and fully ready to meet our baby girl!!!

After 10 loooong minutes, and cutting through my skin, down to the uterus, the tiny little cries of Gemma could be heard and at 1:35, she made her debut in to this world!  And tiny is right, as this little girl was a mere 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 19.25" long.  (Ironically, those were Christian's EXACT stats as well!!).  Somehow my babies got smaller with each pregnancy...not just a little smaller...but an entire pound smaller!  Micah was 8.13, Reid was 7.13, and Gemma 6.14.  Crazy!

The rest is just icing to this big event, so I will save it for this post.  We are all doing well and were discharged from the hospital on Friday.  Friday evening we arrived home (to a much missed and happy to see us Micah and Reid!) and began our life at home as a family of 5!  Eek!!  I still can't believe it, and am beyond happy.

Below are lots and lots of pictures from our time in the hospital.  We probably took 400+, so narrowing it down to 126 seemed to be not too bad :)  Enjoy!

My last pregnant picture, ever :)

Just chillin' waiting to be checked in!

Studly scrubs

Here we go!

Dr. Wilburn, given the deuces. 

**4-5 graphic pictures below...scroll down if you'd rather not see blood!

Gemma Kay Lauffer!!

Cutting the umbilical cord

First time I held her.  Heart. Melting.

Possibly one of my favorite shots!

She's nursing really well, another answered prayer!  First time she nursed for an hour!!

First bath

Blond Hair!

First (of many, I'm sure!!) bow :)

Never mind the bow fallen below her eyes - first Daddy/Daughter pic :)

And Mommy/Daughter pic

And a family picture!!

Below sequence is the first time the boys met her.  Both did really well, though I have to say Micah was and continues to be amazing with her! He just loves to hold her, kiss her head, fingers, toes, and say "I just love you so much baby Gemma." "I love that you are my sister." and on and on.  It's so, so sweet!!

First visitor outside family, Alissa - at 4 hours old!

Dr. Wilburn

Katie was able to come that night too!

Trying out a rather large bow :)

And sleeping...

The next morning I took a few selfies while Christian and the boys were at a park with Grandma and Grandpa.

Boys with Gemma, day 2!  Grandma Grandpa and Micah made a crown for him to wear :)

Family photo - not my favorite of me, but I love the rest of them!  Even Reid on the "phone" lol.

Daddy and his baby girl.

Grandma!

Ridiculously large flower - we've only tried it once to take the one pic of it :)

Grandpa!

Laura

Due with her third in September!

Carrington

Steve and Kate

Morning of day 3 - Gemma slept skin to skin on me the entire night.  Soaking in these precious moments because they will be gone before I know it!!

Betsy and Jason

Boys with Gemma, day 3!  There was some improvement with Reid's willingness to hold her!

My favorite family shot, thus far!!  Look at how blessed we are :)

And back to the phone :)

Nana Kay and Papa C made it up Friday afternoon for 5 minutes to the hospital, before grabbing the boys babysitting baton from Grandma and Grandpa.

Uncle Andy and Aunt Katie and cousin Lilly.

Homebound!!

And not too happy about the car seat :)

Sweet baby girl.

Ball bouncing at home while we were on our way.

Eagerly awaiting our arrival!!

Checking out baby Gemma in her car seat

And one pic of what happened shortly after we arrived home.

If you made it through this post, I am utterly impressed!  More pics to follow shortly of our time at home, adjusting to a family of 5.