Very much loved...

The Anderson household is feeling very much loved these days!  We received five packages from family and friends in as many days!  Thank you to everyone for your thoughtful gifts, cards and emails.  We feel so very loved and blessed!  

1. Matt and Stacy Benner - our Dale Hollow boating friends from Atlanta - sent a bib, a doll a book about ponds/the lake and two adorable blankets!   

2. Mrs. Brent - Dave's best friend, Jered's Mom sent Anna some clothes - she made the sleepsack by the way!  So amazing!  She sent some adorable onesies (Dave loves the IU one!), a St. Paddy's Day bib, a book - hilarious, by the way (geared more toward the adult reading the book than the child!), and some cute little hats.

3.  My sister, Carolyn has been sending Anna little gifts since the day we found out we were pregnant - needless to say, she's thrilled to be an aunt!  She sent along this adorable doll!  It's bigger than Anna!  =) 

4.  My college friend, Lindsey and her husband Brandon sent this little outfit - Linds is a huge fan of elephants and when she saw it, immediately had to have it for little Anna!  Can't wait to see her in it!

5.  Grandma Anderson sent a huge array of adorable clothes - Anna will have to wear at least three outfits a day just so she can wear them all!  =)  Can't wait to see her in these too!

Baby Update: 40 weeks/Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Well, we  made it to 40 weeks, even though Anna couldn't wait that long!  =)  Also, Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Today is Anna's due date and even though she surprised us by coming two weeks early, I wouldn't have had it any other way.  These past two weeks have been full of lots of love, cuddling, diaper changes, baby throw-up, laundry, and sore boobs (sorry to gross you out!), but I have loved every minute!  Dave and I are settling well into parenthood!  Despite the lack of sleep and figuring out this whole breastfeeding thing, I'd say we're doing pretty darn good!  Anna is keeping us busy and makes us smile every day.  We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our parents (my parents will be here first week of April and Dave's parents will be here first week of May)!  Can't wait for the new grandparents to meet their new granddaughter! 

Anna's first trip to the park

This past Sunday was sunny and 60 degrees so what better way to spend the afternoon, than at the park!  Markeaton Park is right down the street from our village, so we ventured over and spent the afternoon meandering through it with Anna in tow.  She was asleep the whole time, but I'm sure she still enjoyed the fresh air and warm sunshine!  We'll definitely be back for some picnics and playtime this spring and summer!  

Care package from Aunt Amy and Uncle Geoff!

My sister, Amy and her husband, Geoff sent Anna the sweetest care package!  Thank you Amy and Geoff!  I can't wait until she can fit into the little track suit and shoes!  We really appreciate you thinking of our little Anna!  She's really excited too!  Also, thank you for the Super Bowl jacket you sent for me!  =) 

"It's time!" - Anna's arrival

After waking up at 5:00am to what I thought at first were Braxton Hicks contractions on Sunday, March 4th, I soon realized I was in labor.  The contractions were coming strong and fast - Dave started timing them around 6:30 and then I finally called the hospital at 8:00 to see if the contractions were close enough together that they would admit me.  Thankfully, they said yes!  I was struggling, not going to lie.  The contractions were intense and only getting worse.  Once admitted, we were put into a labor room and my water broke shortly thereafter.  After about three hours of contractions two minutes apart, I had fully dilated to 10 cm!  My midwife was shocked!  She couldn't believe how fast I had progressed!  I was relieved as I had already had the urge to push about an hour before.  Unfortunately, because I dilated so fast, I was unable to receive an epidural.  I was devastated!  The pain was so intense, but we fought through it!  After pushing for three hours and no progression, a doctor was called in to assess me.  It was quickly determined that Anna was coming down the birth canal face first (the doctor referred to it as "star-gazing") - which is not good.  Meanwhile, I still had the uncontrollable urge to push, and the doctors and midwives were trying to get me to stop.  Then the doctor - Dr. Camden, said the most beautiful words in the English language - "would you like an epidural?"  I of course said yes before he could even finish his sentence!  The epidural would help me to not push and of course relieve the pain of the contractions.  During the process of getting the epidural, Anna wasn't happy - her heart rate plummeted sharply and alarms started going off and the room was immediately flooded with doctors and nurses.  I was put on oxygen and they were pumping my IV (not sure what this did) to get Anna to respond.  I was immediately laid back down on my side.  Thankfully the baby's heart rate returned to normal - however, this happened one more time and this time it really scared me.  I looked for Dave who was basically forced to stand in the corner because of all the staff in the room and we exchanged scared looks.  After another round of oxygen and laying down, and the baby's heart stabilized.  The anesthesiologist decided she was now going administer the epidural with me lying down, which was fine with me as long as the baby was ok.  After about ten minutes, I was so much more relaxed.  The room cleared out and our midwife, Victoria and Dr. Camden were discussing our situation.  Dave was back by my side and he rubbed my back and held my hand.  The doctor and Victoria then discussed with us that an emergency C-section for failing to progress was recommended and that baby was not going to be coming out the other way.  I was fine with this and was just ready to see my baby.  It was going on 4:00pm - eleven hours of labor and I couldn't wait to meet my little girl!  

Dave and I were prepped for the OR and the C-section was under way.  I must say, it was an experience in and of itself.  I was excited and scared at the same time.  Dave was finally allowed in the OR after I was prepped and I couldn't be more relieved to see him!  It was the sweetest site I've seen!  He looked happy...but scared too - and he came right over and held my hand and smiled reassuringly.  (But I think he was more worried about me than I was about the whole procedure!)  Before we knew it, we heard the cries of our little Anna Grace and we both started crying!  It was the most amazing sound I have ever heard!  After that, Dave was called over to cut the umbilical chord and I just soaked up the sound of my crying happy baby!  The rest is a blur, but before I knew it, we were wheeled to our room with Anna tucked snugly with me.  

Despite the turn of events and having to have an emergency C-section, March 4th will forever be the best day of my life!  Our little Anna is the most amazing little girl!  Overall, the experience was a good as it gets - the staff were amazing - our midwife Victoria, our anesthesiologist Dr. Felix and our OB who delivered us, Dr. Camden - all ensured I received the best care and it really showed.  After three days in the hospital, we were discharged and came home!  We've been soaking up every minute with Anna and are trying to take as many pictures as we can!  We can't wait for you all to meet her! 

Here are some photos of our little angel!  Dave and I are so in love!  We just can't stop looking at her and we can't believe she's ours!  =)  We are truly blessed.

Anna Grace Anderson has arrived!!!!!

7lbs., 3oz., 19 inches

Little Anna Grace arrived early - born Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 5:01pm.  We are so in love and cannot wait for everyone to meet her!  More later, but Mom, Dad and Anna are doing well and enjoying our first few days together!