...our perfectly pink and precious baby girl!
My labor story began when Laney Kate Crowell decided to make her way into this world at about 3:00 am this past Wednesday morning. I woke up to what I felt like was menstrual cramping that I couldn't seem to shake. I really wasn't thinking I was going into labor. In fact, I got into the bath tub at 4:30 am thinking I'd just get ready for the day and the cramps would get better. Then it occurred to me I should time them, what if they were contractions?! They started off five minutes apart by 6:00 am were 2 to 3 minutes. Since I couldn't convince myself initially we lost a little time and had to rush to the hospital. To better explain our hustle, Matthew had to drive on the shoulder of Mopac the entire 20 miles with our emergency flashers on. In hindsight, it was like what you would see in the movies. At the time, I was frantic I'd be having a baby in my car.
Upon arrival to the doctor's office I was told I appeared to be a woman in labor and was dilated to 2.5 cm and 100% effaced. They wheeled me right over to Seton and checked me with in 30 minutes and I was at 5 cm. This is not what I expected. I realized I was dilating quickly and my body did know what to do! And in the meantime my mother was rushing in from Abilene, my father from Ohio, Lesley from Dallas, the Crowell's from Llano. Somehow everyone made it!
I jumped in the shower trying to put off the epidural for as long as possible and to get away from the nurses. Everyone was on my nerves and I just wanted to ease the pain. Probably an hour later I got the epidural and right after they gave it to me and checked dilation at 11:00 am I was 9 1/2 cm. I am convinced I could not have done labor with out the epidural. I could still feel the contractions when they happened but the association of pain with them was totally different. In fact, at one point I was so loopy I claimed labor was fun and like a game trying to push Laney out. Cracks me up thinking that now. I had Matthew with me and my baby sister. (Laney actually came on her birthday!)
Three hours later the doctor came back to check on me and informed me that I needed the "vacuum". I was not going to be able to have this baby on my own and 8 lbs and 5 oz later explained why. The delivery team then quickly came in and Matthew and I just looked at each other and realized our lives were about to change forever. After all this time we were going to meet our baby! And after one long push I saw the most beautiful thing I'd ever cast my eyes on; my heartbeat. In a moment, she had become our little heartbeat. Laney was handed to me immediately and I just kissed her face and cried with M before they whisked her away to make her cry harder. From that moment at 3:43 pm on September 19, 2007 on everything has been wonderfully different.
Here are some pictures of our precious little and stay at Seton Medical:
Right after the epidural around 11:00 with my amazing doctor and nurses, I have loved having them through this journey. At this point Dr. Cowan thought there would be a baby at 1:00 or 2:00. pm 
M going with Laney to do all of her testing and weighing.
Bringing Laney back over to me; her Momma!
Our first family picture with Laney!Proud Grandparents.....
And Aunt Lesley...
Laney on Day Two in her monogrammed and (quite large) onesie! 
L and L, I can't take my eyes off of her! 
I was just so happy to have her in my arms, I didn't even mind how tired I was in all the pictures!
Our first diaper change was hysterical!
We are all doing great at home. My momma is here helping out thank heavens and Matthew has been amazing. I will post with the first week pics of Laney's firsts and meeting all the visitors as soon as I have some more free time! Lots of love from all of us!
12 comments:
look at that beautiful baby! she's so awesome!
LaLa,
She is BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for you! As I read your story and saw your sweet pictures, tears were in my eyes. You are going to be such an amazing momma and the love that you already feel for sweet Laney is only going to grow stronger. Congratulations to you and Matthew...and have fun taking care of that tiny little bundle as she experiences everything for the first time! LOVE YOU!!!!
She is precious!!!! Beautiful! And you look wonderful!
Laney is BEAUTIFUL!! I cried reading your sweet story. I can't believe how good you look. I would hate to be a new mommy sitting right next to you! Enjoy every minute of your sweet baby...it goes way too fast! We can't wait to meet her!
Love you!
MAV
I like everyone else CRIED reading this AT WORK! You're going to be mad at me, but I passed through Austin around 7, but was with 2 other girls and wasn't driving!! I wanted to stop SO BAD, but didn't have the guts to ask them!!! I love you!!
laura, your laney is so beautiful! i love her lips!
She is so precious!! I loved talking to you while you were waiting for your heartbeat to arrive :) You did amazing and I can't wait to see you on Thursday. You know I would have been at the hospital if Mason did not have his surgery that day :(
oh my goodness...she is soooo beautiful! and all of that hair. she looks perfect!!!!!!!
laura she is SOOO cute! OMG! I can't wait to see her grow! I I can't believe it! You look great too...sheesh! You definately take the cake on "being a babe with a babe!" hahaha...i miss you and can't wait to hold little laney! (hopefully for christmas....i'm trying to come home then for a couple of weeks! God willing!)
Absolutely beautiful! Laney is precious. You and Matthew allready look like pros!! You guys make a super cute fam. Congrats to you both.
Congrats! She is precious and you look great! Hope you have a fast recovery and that Laney is allowing you to rest. Take care and your life will never be the same again. God Bless!!
I love the sweet story about your new little arrival. She is perfect! What a precious little face and YOU look amazing. You and Matthew are going to be such amazing parents to that little girl. Congratulations & I can't wait to meet her!!!
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