The story of Ava as emailed to my aunt Cindy who is a nurse-"Well we have a beautiful baby girl born 10/20 at 7:39 am. Ava Marie Balvanz. She is an angel, with light brown hair. She was 21", 8 lb 4 oz. Needless to say labor and delivery was very hard, but isn't it for every one? I went into "pre-labor" on Thursday (10/18) only dialated at 1 cm, 90% eface. Mom happen to call when we were there. Mother's intuition? Told her they might want to start heading this way sometime today. Missie and Mom left around 4 pm CST. I went back to hospital at midnight when I was having 3 contractions in a row. Still only at 1 cm. Mom and Missie get here at 4 am MST (10/19). We go home and rest. I slept for about 4 hours on Ambien. Tried to rest all day. Took a bath, walked a lot. Around 5 pm contractions started picking up in intensity and went from 12 min to 7 min. by 8 pm. By 11 pm they were 2 min apart and unbearable. Mom said better go to hospital before I can't get into car. (Sidebar-as I am in labor Pamela and Missie were watching Sinbad and cracking up as I am trying to breath thru my contracts!!!) We hesitated because we had been there 2 times already! By 12 am I was 5 cm and 100% eface. 10/20 I was admitted and started Fentenal at 1 am. It would last about 20 min, but I could only take every hour. By 3 am at 7 cm, Dr. broke water. 5 am so unbearable I am exhausted. Decide to do interfetal epidural. Took a nap from 6 am to 6 :30am. Start pushing at 6:55 am, Ava arrived at 7:39 am. I had some trouble nursing at first and with the pain they decided to keep me for 3 days. Ava is doing wonderful. She was 7 lb 10 oz on 10/23 (my original due date!) and when weighed on 10/26 weighed 8 lb 2 oz."
I remember when I looked out the window the day we were to go home and saw that we had a beautiful fall sprinkling of snow and I could not help but think that Octobers would be better now.
When we brought Ava home on 10/23, Mom and Missie had set everything up. The pack and play and rocking chair were in our room, the changing table was organized and ready to go, the house had been cleaned and I was so greatful to have them there!
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| Happy 3rd Birthday Ava Marie...we love you so much! |
1 comment:
Wow, reading this brought tears to my eyes. I remember all that you went through and how happy you were when Ava arrived. I also remember when Candy and I came to visit a few days later how Ava turned her head everytime she heard Shannon. She is truly a Daddy's girl. Love this little lady and you both have done a wonderful job in helping her to become such a love. Still miss the fraggle hair though. ;-)
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