And so her story begins...

Elsie Ann has been with us since Monday morning at 7:03 am. She has been nothing but an absolute blessing in our lives. She was born weighing in at 7 lbs. 8 oz. and was 21 inches long.

The story begins on Sunday afternoon. Andrew and I were enjoying our last Sunday with just the two of us when I noticed something different going on. I thought it might be my water breaking, but I wasn't sure. I consulted some friends that recently had babies and made the decision to call the doctor on call. She sent me to the hospital to "test" the fluid, and it was in fact my water. I was only 1 1/2 cm dialated at that point, so I knew I had a long night ahead.

I got admitted and went to my room where they started an IV and pitocin. My parents came to see me, along with Emily, since she and Bella had just drove in from BG when I called. Around 10 or so (I completely lost track of time), I was only 3 cm with some crazy painful contractions, so I asked for my epidural. That thing was cake!! I highly recommend it. After that, I was able to nap for 15 mins here and there between vitals, checks, etc.

At about 4:30 am, I started pushing. Yes, I pushed for 2 1/2 hours. We had lots of people in the room when she came out because it was the middle of the shift change for the nurses and my doctor made it in time along with the on call doctor.

It was amazing seeing Elsie for the first time. No words can ever describe the emotion that Andrew and I felt seeing her. We continuously talk about how only God could create some an amazing being. After seeing her all wrapped up and me getting to hold her, and us take a family pic, she was taken to the NICU. She cried when she came out, but her cry was not very powerful. Her cord was also wrapped around her neck. So, baby girl had a very tough delivery and ended up getting a lot of my fluid in her lungs.

The story of her in the NICU can not be put into words. The only words to describe this time are GOD IN POWER!! Our sweet baby girl had so many people praying for her and so many people checking in on her. Andrew and I have never ever felt more loved! We can never ever thank everyone enough for their love and caring support for our baby girl. It was a very tough 36+ hours and God definitely tested us. We prayed for our baby girl in my hospital room, we prayed over her in the NICU, we knew people everywhere were praying for her. Now, she lays in her cradle next to me sleeping soundly.

I am so in love with this little lady. I am not good at writing and putting my feelings into words, but if I was able to put my feelings into words, this post would be a mile longer than it already is.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who prayed and is praying for our baby girl. We could never ever thank you enough.
THANK YOU to mine and Andrew's parents for being so supportive and being at the hospital with us even tho Elsie wasn't there.
THANK YOU to Adam for letting Emily and Bella stay in Evansville with us. We needed them more than he will ever know.
THANK YOU Em and Bella for being a distraction during this time of trial for us.

WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!


Taken yesterday

First time seeing her in the NICU

Immediately after birth