Addison is here!!!

She is here! 3.5 weeks early - healthy and so happy! Could not be more in love. Here is how it all went down...

Early Friday morning (around 4:00am), I woke up with pretty bad abdominal cramps, after a few trips to the bathroom, I decided I would move to the couch to make sure I didn't wake Michael (or Indy:) I found myself awake every 10 minutes or so with these cramps...I began to think that these were those Braxton Hicks contractions I heard about...until they seemed to get a little more intense! Around 6:30, Michael woke up and we decided I would take a shower and see how I feel after. Well - the "cramps" got worse (less than 10 minutes apart) and we decided to call the doctor.

So - off to the doctor we went! Again, about every 5 minutes, the "cramps" would come! We arrive at the doctor and for some reason, they decided to still check my weight and blood pressure - until Michael reminded them that these pains were coming every 5 minutes. I will never forget the doctor's face as she informed me that we were 7 cm dialted (10 cm is push time)! Michael responded - "What happened to 1 and 2?!"

So - off to the hospital! Fortunately, they called ahead and let Labor and Delivery know that I was coming (and the baby too)!! My concern was not only how early I was delivering and her health, but that there was still time to get an epidural! I can still hear my sister and Michael whispering back and forth during my contractions - "I dont think there is time for her to get one!" The nurses worked their magic and before I knew it, the epidural made me a new woman! Soon after (maybe 10 minutes) the doctor said I was 10 cm and we could just let her make her way down! I rested for about 30 minutes and then it was time to push! Michael did an excellent job counting and coaching me through the pushes! After about 30 minutes of pushing - Addison arrived at 2:32pm (after arriving at the hospital at 10:45am)!! She was absolutely perfect and beautiful!

Addison Rose Clements - 6.5 pounds, 19.5 inches

We were so surprised that she decided to come early - we had not decided on a name or had any of our last minute projects done - but I quickly learned that NONE of that mattered (except her name)...she was healthy and we were beyond thrilled.

We gave LOTS of thanks this Thanksgiving; for her arrival, for the love of so many friends and family and just what a blessing she is! We could also not be more thankful for G-Ma's visit this past week; she saved us! We have never had so many groceries in our fridge and our house has never been so clean! :) We were even able to put up our Christmas tree this weekend (Addison slept through the decorating)...

I promise to do my best to keep up with the blogging! I really can't complain - she is such a great baby, but as everyone says, I need to sleep when she sleeps and get my rest (it's hard to not just sit and stare:) Thank you all for the well wishes, phone calls, emails, etc. We are so happy and feel like the luckiest parents in the world!