Even though I dont know it, surgery is underway. The big fluffy white thing is a surgical heater that kept me warm during surgery. That thing worked wonders!!

Surgery was everything that I remembered from Abby’s birth. I knew that from start to birth, it only took about 15 minutes and so I waited anxiously trying to count down the time in my head. Shaun sat there next to me, holding my hand, keeping me calm. I was definitely emotional, nervous, anxious and honestly a little scared. It is surgery after all. Time moved quickly and within moments (at least what seemed like moments) I felt pressure and pulling and then the voice of my doctor, telling me our little girl was almost here.

Just as she began to pull Ellie out, I hear my doctor say “You’re not getting away from me. ” Ellie had decided that she wasn’t quite ready to leave her cozy little home and quite literally tried to climb back into me as she pulled her out. But of course that wasn’t going to happen and within moments, I could hear our little girls cries. It was at that moment that I knew everything was ok and the tears of joy began. Shaun left my side momentarily to check out Ellie and to cut her cord. He was able to come back to me again after to tell me that she was looking great. Then, the nurse finally brought her to my side and I had the chance to meet our little girl for the very first time. I was shocked to see such a familiar face looking at me. Wrapped up in her hospital blanket and cap, Ellie looked exactly like Abby. I felt almost as though I was looking at her twin!

Dr. Olender, my OB (on the right) and Dr. Freedman, my OB when Abby was born (on the left) deliver Ellie.

Shaun “cutting” Ellie’s umbilical cord. Such a proud daddy!

Mommy and Ellie meet for the very first time. So thats who has been doing gymnastics in my stomach!

With our new little bundle of joy, Ellie. The family is almost complete but we are missing big sister Abby and of course their furry brother Jack.

Shaun then had to leave my side and follow Ellie to the nursery so that my doctors could put me back together again. This happened quickly and with very little discomfort and before I knew it I was being moved from the surgical table to my bed and being rolled to recovery. Shaun met me in recovery and stayed with me until my room was ready. At that point he was able to show me the pictures he took of Ellie in the OR and the nursery. I couldn’t have been more excited to see her at that point! After about 45 minutes, I was taken from recovery to my room to settle in. Not long after I arrived, Ellie was brought to me and from there I was in heaven.

Our beautiful Ellie only hours after being born.

Once we were in our room, Shaun and I had time to talk and enjoy Ellie all on our own. After I had the chance to rest and bond with Ellie without an distractions, Shaun and I decided it was time to bring Abby over to meet her little sister, so Shaun ran back to the house to pick her up. When Abby arrived she was definitely overwhelmed but also concerned. She didnt like that mommy was in this funny looking bed with things connected to her. She was also curious about the new baby in my arms. She got the chance to see Ellie but once she was comfortable in her surroundings Abby was on to other things. It wasn’t too long before Abby needed to go and so she left for a sleepover at Grandma Zoe’s house.

Abby meets her new baby sister for the very first time.

The remaining time in the hospital was a wonderful experience. On Friday, the day after Ellie’s birth, all the tubes and what not were removed and it was time to get up and walk for the first time. My nurse, Hannah, was an angel in disguise and made the one thing I was dreading a better experience then expected. She even showed me a trick using the hospital bed which allowed me to get up with a little more ease. The biggest thing for me though was making me feel so comfortable during a time where you feel as though you haven’t a shred of dignity left and you are extremely vulnerable. I am so glad she was there for me and she is definitely a person I will never forget.

Through visitors and more wonderful nurses, I survived my stay. Abby came to visit againon Saturday, which made me feel better. I was missing her very much. Hannah, Jasmine, Lisa, Leizel, Mary and many more made my time very easy and in a way I felt like it went by too fast. I almost didn’t want to leave! But, Sunday night Dr. Olender came in and after a check gave me an all clear to head home in the morning. The next morning, after one last breakfast, Shaun and I packed up all of our things, dressed Ellie and checked out. It felt good to go home but I couldn’t help but feel sad that the whole pregnancy, delivery and hospital stay was over. Now it was on to a new chapter and two beautiful girls to raise. Now I had to look at how much I missed Abby and how much I wanted to see her again. And see her I did. She was waiting at the door with her Auntie Jillian when we came home.

Ellie all changed into her “going home” outfit, looking cute and snugly for the ride home on what was a somewhat gloomy July day.

All tucked and strapped into her car seat and ready to head home.

Packed up and in the car, ready to leave!