Danielle James

Finally the big day was here! I still can't believe that after everything I made it to my scheduled c-section date. I almost wish she came early on her own since the anticipation of knowing exactly when you are going to have a baby is weird and nerve wracking. Neither Chip nor I slept very well on Tuesday night -- I mean, how could you knowing you had to get up at 4:30am to arrive at the hospital by 5:30, for a baby at 7:30?!? Lily stayed at my parent's house and we tried to relax and enjoy the last peace and quiet for awhile. . . .

All ready to go at 5am! Believe it or not, I am really going to miss being pregnant.

Arriving at the hospital!
I forgot to take a picture when we left in the daylight, but this is better than nothing.

Getting admitted. I *thought* I was surprisingly relaxed considering how nervous and scared I'd been the past few weeks -- I am not really a huge fan of surgeries or any medical procedure for that matter. I was calmly answering all the questions and handing it fairly well -- until I puked. :) I warned the nurses that I was a puker with anxiety issues, so at least they knew it was coming. After that I felt much better and didn't puke again until I was on the table in the OR. Just like with Lily. :) But the anesthesiologist did a great job of controlling my nausea and blood pressure, and the surgery I was dreading for 9 months wasn't all that bad at all! It was a lot different that when I had the c-section with Lily. That was a total blur and I barely remember any of it. This time I took it all in and was ok. Chip was a different person too -- last time he tried to hide behind the curtain and not see anything and this time (after a few anatomy and pre-med classes), he was hanging over the curtain asking questions and the doctor and nurses were quizzing him on my various body parts and organs! I just remember rolling my eyes during all this thinking, "you can't be serious". :)

More than ready to go! I even got Chip to bring the camera this time -- he refused with Lily.

8:41 am on August 17, 2011 baby Danielle James was born weighing 8lbs 1oz and measuring 19 inches long.

My baby girl!

Weighing in at 8lbs 1 oz. Pretty small for us!

Chip was in charge of deciding on the name. We had it narrowed down to either Lorelai James or Danielle James. Since Lily's middle name is "Emily", after my grandma, it was important to Chip to have his grandfather, who he was very close to, represented in someway. Thus, the middle name James.

Once he saw her, he felt Danielle was the right choice, and I totally agreed.

The surgery went very smoothly and everything was great. So I only had to stay in the recovery area for the normal 1-2 hours before being moved to a regular room. My Mom was at the hospital during the surgery, but went to get the rest of the family while I was in recovery.

Danielle's first bath.

Not a huge fan. :)

Introducing Lily to her new baby sister!

Grandma and her girls.

Lily got big sister presents. A crayola art set that she wanted . . .

. . . and a "Fresh Beat Band" activity book. The "Fresh Beat Band" is her latest obsession! She was beyond excited!

Lily had picked out a stuffed lamb for both her and Danielle, so they could each have a matching "sister toy" a few weeks back. Here she is giving Danielle hers.

Aunt Linda happened to be in town at this week -- so it worked out perfectly and her and Jeremy got to meet Danielle the day she was born.

She was born with what most described as "strawberry blond" hair. I hope it stays that way!

Love this picture!

Lily is SO sweet and genuinely LOVES her little sister SO much!

Skin to skin time with my baby.

My doctor lets you eat after surgery, which is pretty rare. Julie, my favorite nurse there, said the normal dinner may be too much for my stomach, but I could have something lighter like a grilled cheese with fries, cake and ice tea if that was okay with me. Is she freaking kidding me??? Of course that is ok! That is my most favorite meal in the world! I was beyond excited. Julie was so great that she special ordered me another grilled cheese and fries for the next day instead of the lame chicken dinner meal. It was perfection!

YUM! I love being waited on -- even in hospitals. :)

It was a long day and another long night ahead as I stayed up with Danielle, but I felt amazing great. I think it was the adrenaline and love that kept (and keeps) me going. I am beyond lucky to have such amazing daughters.