Audrey Lee - April 27th, 2011

It is still so hard to believe that Audrey is already here. She came 2 weeks prior to her due date and I am so happy to have the 2 extra weeks to spend with her. She is nothing short of amazing. Just like Chase, she is super mellow and relaxed. I don't know how we got so lucky!

Audrey was born via c-section, and having had children both naturally and via the c-section I can honestly say that natural is the WAY TO GO. More to come on that later...However, in a way, the c-section was a blessing in disguise as Mike is travelling this week. If we had not had the c-section, she very well could have come early just like Chase, risking Mike missing the birth. And while I know Ah and Aunt Sal would have made wonderful birth coaches, they couldn't have replaced Mike!!!

About 3 weeks ago we discovered the baby was Footling Breech and the doctor let us know that if she didn't turn, the c-section would be necessary. Being the crazy Internet girl that I am, I rushed home to research footling breech and of course scared myself silly with worry. Google is NOT the doctor's best friend. I came prepared the next week with a slew of questions, received a slew of answers, and scheduled my c-section. Audrey had not turned...she was stubborn :).

Of course I went home from that appointment, did a bunch of googling, and put myself on "bed rest" so as not to break my water early and go into labor. Silly, I know, but I was in hypochondriac mode!

Slowly the days passed and Mike, Chase and I grew more and more excited to meet the newest member of our family. Rigley wasn't so excited, she knew she would once again be bumped down the chain.

Finally Wednesday morning at 5:30 am we went to the hospital to deliver our little girl. I'll spare the surgery details but I will say I was definitely an emotional mess and scared to death. Mike stayed so close to me the  entire time while trying to sneak peaks of the surgery in process. It was so strange to hear all the doctors and techs talking about their weekend plans, what they had for dinner, etc while I lay on a table waiting for them to take the baby...a major life moment for me and just another day in the office for them!

Meeting Audrey was amazing. I had only a few seconds with her in surgery but they brought her back to me an hour later and Mike and I spent a lot of quiet, quality time with her prior to all of the visitors arriving.

Chase met her that evening and was so supportive of her and not at all freaked out. He has taken this entire week with her in stride, getting upset only one day when I think he just needed some quality mama time. He asks about her whenever she is not right near him and worries so much when she is crying. He is truly the best big brother!

Mike left Monday morning super early so we had a quiet weekend at home enjoying our new little family. Since he left, it has been hard for me because I miss him so much but my family has stepped up to the plate in ways that I cannot even imagine. Sally has been with us every day either taking us to her house or taking Chase out (they are at Bellagio having a fab lunch with Uncle Boo as I type)...she has cooked, cleaned and been Chase's daytime support system every day! Oh, except yesterday when Julie spent the day running around with Chase in the backyard, wearing them both out but having a blast in the meantime! Grandma Iris brought dinner last night and we had a nice time out on the patio while Chase ran around some more! Evenings have been split up by Ah and Shane...both of whom have come in here and taken care of everything for me at the house making sure I am fed and relaxed. Shane is going to make a great mom some day...I've been so impressed with how she handles us all! And of course Pa has had some time with Chase. He took him home with him Monday night and they had a boys night with basketball, cookies, and a way too late bedtime for Chase ;).

While I can't WAIT for Mike to get home, I can't deny that I will miss my full time support system and cleaning crew :)!!!

Audrey is sleeping great, gives me four straight hours at night and then goes anywhere from 2-3 after that. And when it comes to feeding, it really is night and day compared to Chase. This girl LOVES to eat, and I am happy to oblige. I love me some baby rolls and hope to get some out of her soon! Right now, she's not quite back at birth weight...she's 6lb 1ou, 5 ounces short. But we are making progress every day!

OK, long post but need it for my blog book memories!!! Here are some pics from the hospital, will post more soon!

Daddy and Big Bird :)

LOVE this picture of daddy and baby girl!

Love this one too :)

Mike already treats Audrey different from Chase...can we say overprotective?!





Chase wanted to hold her right away!

Ah and I agree we need better pics with her and Audrey!