Love Story

I checked into Northside Hospital on Monday, August 15th.   Walking up to the registration desk felt so familiar but very different at the same time.  I was calm and relatively pain free since I was there to be induced the next morning.  We had to wait for our room for a few hours but Michael and I decided to enjoy our time alone together and considered it a "date" over McDonald's nuggets and a cheeseburger. 

Mike left and I was alone for the night so that he could spend some QT with Mr. Marshall. The next morning I woke early and they started me on pitosin.  It worked as planned but still made for a very long day of waiting...and waiting...and waiting!  We had a good support team that day that included mom, dad, Barry, and Jennifer.  I was so lucky to have my sister-in-law there to serve as my personal nurse (she's an RN) for the day.  She also manned the camera which was awesome! 



Post epidural...feeling good!



Sweet, patient Aunt Jennifer...

The labor and delivery were about as smooth as they come.  Modern medicine is a wonderful thing!  Miss Summer made her appearance at 5:01 PM with a full head of dark brown hair.  Arlene came with the new big brother to meet her that evening.  Seeing my big baby boy walk in the hospital room and offer a tiny little baby doll (that he picked out with Grammy) to his little sister sent me on an emotional roller coaster that lasted until the moment he left us.  He was so sweet with her and so excited to finally meet this little one we had been talking about so much. 

She's here!

Already a daddy's girl, for sure!




Marshall's gift to Summer

 

She is such a sweet, precious bundle.  A great sleeper so far...I apparently forgot how much newborns sleep, an awesome eater (hallelujah, BF is going easy this time!), and just about as laid back as they come.  She seems to complete our family in the  most perfect ways.  

 I wondered how I could ever love another baby as much as I love my Marshall. Mom always assured me that your heart would just grow bigger to embrace the second one. It did. And is the most perfect love story. We are all over the moon for her.

Summer with Grandma and Grandpa

Summer and Grammy

Summer and Grandad

Marshall's gift from Summer Grace...

Headed home from Northside!

Welcome Home Baby Sister!

Introducing our baby girl!

She's finally here!  We are so excited to introduce her...

Summer Grace Dawson.

August 16, 2011

8 lbs.

21.5 inches long

More to come soon!

Twiddling our thumbs, again.

If I were a good blogger,
I would have documented the story behind the pink princess umbrella...
it's on my "list", promise.

There are two car seats in the back of my SUV now.  Chores are finished, bills are up to date, kitchen is stocked with frozen food and snacks.   We are in a holding pattern that feels all too familiar...sit and wait mode.  Apparently my belly is a place that no baby wants to leave in a hurry.  Marshall was 4 days late before he made his appearance.   My due date is Tuesday and we are "evicting" baby sister on that day unless she decides to arrive on her own in the next 24 hours. 

I can't say that being 40 weeks pregnant is particularly fun.  I'm HUGE, getting anxious, texts and phone calls are starting to come in wondering about our status.  I'm ready to start living our family of four instead of talking about it.    I've tried to savor these last few days as a family of three before our hearts grow larger and our life together takes a turn down a new road with our baby girl in tow! 

Wish us luck and see you on the "other" side!