Audrey's Birth Story....

I was pumping out some contractions so we left for the Hospital and checked in around 7 am. They were very manageable. We were ushered to the delivery room around 8 am. They went ahead and hooked me up to the different belly monitors (contraction & baby heartbeat). The baby was at -2 station. All through the day/ labor the nurse kept having to chase down Audrey's heartbeat. She kept moving away from the monitor.

My Dr came in and checked me around 11 am... I was already 3 cm and the baby was at +1 station. The Dr reached in and broke my water by hand... which surprised me and made me call her superwoman... my last Dr. used a crochet hook type tool, lol.

My contractions were immediately much stronger, and right on top of each other, and I requested my epidural.

My epi was slow to come, I received it around 12:30. It hurt going in, as it did with the boys. I made sure to tell both nurse & anesthesiologist about my paralyzed legs experience with Lucas. I was told to lay flat for 20 min. to disperse the epi drugs properly... the PA hospital never told me that. I was nice and tingly/numb within 30 min.

Nate and I dozed on and off... I had a self-dispersing Epidural "boost" that I pushed just once.

My Dr came in at 4:30 and check me. She was surprised to see that I was complete and ready to push. She asked me to give a "practice push" and I did just that. Her eyes got HUGE, she said "STOP!" and both the nurse hurried to ready the room and the Dr got dressed for delivery. I couldn't feel a thing (YAY!) but apparently everyone knew that she'd be in the world within a push or 2.

It took 1 real push to deliver her head, and then one minor push to expel the rest of her. Audrey entered the world squalling and looking just like Lucas. But over the past few days, now that her "birth swelling" has receded and she lost a few ounces, she looks JUST like Seth.

No stitches, this was by far my easiest and fastest labor. Recovery has been going much better.

She really is a pretty lil' thing, she's sleeping a lot. She has a bit of Lucas' rash, but its not as bad.

Smitten Daddy

The boys meet their sister for the first time. Seth LOVES her, wants to hold and kiss... Lucas wanted nothing to do with her. Pushed her away, gave both Audrey & I the cold shoulder for a couple of days. He's since been warming up, blessing her sneezes, and saying "Hi Aud-ey."

The Burns family's first family portrait

Audrey coming home....

My daughter was 2 days old... and was already involved in a car accident! On the way home we stopped at a Potbelly's for lunch and while Nate was inside, this lady backed into us so hard it actually moved our car some. Yet, it didn't leave a mark. When she saw Audrey and then heard how old, I thought she was going to cry. Everything was just fine.

at home in the pink petal showers....

And pretty in pink at 3 days old....

THANK YOU everyone for your love, support, and prayers the last week. I've felt every one!