The rest of our stay at the hospital....

Her first bath...
And daddy proudly showing her off...
The first diaper change. I didn't change a diaper until about day 3. Good daddy!
Getting ready to put on her very first outfit (you know, besides the little hospital shirts)...Playing dress-up with my beautiful baby girl...
And more dress-up...

(American and Colombian Flag Onesie. Love it!)

The happy family...
With lots of visitors...
Including her future husband and in-laws...This one is for the save the dates....

Now time to go home....

Stay tuned for more photos.... including her unbelievable newborn photographs!

Lily Ann's BIRTHday!

Hi, my name is Ashley and I am a MOTHER!

I've taken a blogging break to enjoy my first week at home with my baby girl. But now I am ready to get back to blogging and share all of the wonderful moments and photos I have of Lily Ann. But first..... the birth story:

Lucas and I arrived at the hospital at about 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 4th. We were shown to our room and I was given my beautiful hospital gown to dawn for the birth.


I was excited and thrilled.... ready to have our baby! But my stomach started churning as I put on the gown and got into bed. It was all really happening! I went from excited to anxious to scared. But my nerves were put to ease since I figured I had until later that evening when the real action would start taking place. And then the doctor came in....

She examined me and told us I was already dilated 5 cm and to be ready to have this baby before noon. BEFORE NOON? I definitely wasn't ready! I had already mentally prepared for an evening birth. Thankfully, Lucas was there to settle my nerves and reassure me that I was indeed ready for this moment. They broke my water, gave me the epidural, and started the pitocin. Apparently I didn't really need it. The nurse later told me that they can go up to 30 on the pitocin level and they stopped me at 2. 2! This girl was coming... scheduled or not!



Nurses were in and out, adjusting cords and monitors, and getting the room prepared for delivery. By 11:00 a.m., I was fully dilated and began 'laboring down'. The doctor later arrived and I pushed for about 15 or 20 minutes..... and beautiful Lily Ann was born.

first glimpse

Delivery was easy and - thanks to Lucas - even fun! He put on the medical gloves to be ready 'in case the doctor didn't arrive in time'; he counted to ten in Spanish and English, forward and backward; he smiled and laughed and held my head and hand. Along with Lucas, my mom and best friend were in the room to experience Lily's birth and give me support.


My grandparents and Uncle Rookie came in soon after to see the new arrival. Dad was stuck out of town and unable to make it to the hospital so soon. But he came later that evening to visit.

Lily Ann
Thursday, February 4th
12:59 p.m.
7 lb. 8 oz.
20"

Thank you all for your kind words and support! We have been enjoying our time with Lily Ann and taking lots of pictures. So get ready for a parade of baby photos!

Welcome to the World, Lily Ann!

Thursday, February 4th
12:59 p.m.
7 lb. 8 oz.

Week 39

Dear Lily Ann,

I am writing to you on the night before I become a mother. Thank you for giving me the gift I have dreamed of my entire life: motherhood. I have dreamed of being your mother since I was a little girl playing with my Cabbage Patch dolls. I didn't know what roads would lead me here or that I would ever meet a man as incredible as your father. But I knew one day there would be you. This road has been an amazing journey. Now I stand one day away from meeting you and already know that you are more beautiful, joyful, and perfect than I could have ever imagined. Motherhood will be be the most awesome, terrifying, thrilling, rewarding thing I have ever done.

The last few days have been marked with weird pains in my lower abdomen, back pain ALL over, and very limited sleep. Given how perfect my pregnancy has gone thus far, I'll take a few days of discomfort in preparation for your arrival.

Your dad and I celebrated our anniversary by having dinner (Mexican.. yumm!) and talking about you almost the entire time. We are so excited to meet you! I keep imagining how different things will be once you are here, imagining what you will look like and what your cries will sound like, imagine myself holding you and taking care of you every day. I can't wait to see your beautiful face!

We will see you tomorrow... and no doubt fall in love!

We Love You,

Mommy

3 Years of Wedded Bliss

... and the best is yet to come.

Don't Mind Me....

Just getting all of the important last minute preparations out of the way...

(Sorry... forgot to snap an after and I've got bed head right now!)

Monday: Last Work Meeting and Hair Appointment
Tuesday: Manicure and Pedicure
Wednesday: 3rd Anniversary
Thursday: My Daughter's BIRTHday!

(Although, I did feel some really weird pains last night and woke up about every hour.... so I'm just hoping we make it to Thursday!)

Week 38

Dear Lily Ann,

Wow! I didn't think I could possibly get any bigger but I just keep growing! And I feel you moving and squirming all the time! You are probably ready to ditch your cramped quarters and pay us a visit! We are definitely ready to meet you! Only one more week until we hold you in our arms.... and never let go. Okay - I promise I'll let go at some point before you hit your teen years... hopefully. What do you mean you don't want to take your Dad to Prom?

You now get the hiccups probably 3 times a day, on average. I worry about you, but they soon subside and you resume to happily practicing your kickboxing... which I absolutely love, even when it hurts. My most amusing activity is sitting still and watching my belly move up and down and side to side. This week I have felt lots of weird different cramping sensations, had some major swelling going on in my feet, lost quite a bit of sleep (partly because of this big belly and partly because the Australian Open is on all night long and I just can't seem to turn it off), and had one day suffering through a pretty bad headache. Any time I experience these symptoms I immediately wonder if you are making an early arrival. But I just hang on a bit longer and everything seems to pass. I have been happy, pain-free, and enjoying almost everything about this pregnancy. Thank you for being such a good girl and giving me such a wonderful pregnancy experience. Our time so close together is almost over. But I'm looking forward to growing closer to the baby, girl, and woman you will soon become.

Now, I have to spill all the details about my doctor's visit this morning:
I am 2.5 cm dilated and 60% effaced. That means you are well on your way to your birthday (February 4th.... if you make it)! My blood pressure has been high for the past three weeks and they are a little worried about it. I was hooked up to a monitor today and your Daddy and I got to hear your little heart beat for a solid 40 minutes or so. After observation, the doctor and nurses think you are looking good and not too concerned about my blood pressure. It should go back down after you are born.

We are keeping busy during our last week without you here. Tomorrow is my last day of work in the office and I stayed up until 1 in the morning putting together my new desk for working at home; we have plans to meet some friends for dinner tomorrow night; we are taking your grandparents and great grandparents out to eat on Saturday; I am getting my hair and nails done on Monday and Tuesday; on Wednesday your father and I are celebrating our 3 Year Anniversary; Thursday morning we'll wake up bright and early and head to the hospital!

See you in one week, baby girl!


We Love You,

Mommy