Abby's Here...

Abigail Marie Van Dyken was born on Monday December 17th at 7:08pm, she weighed 7 lbs 13 oz. and was 18 1/2 inches long. Abby was originally supposed to be here on the 26th, but then was bumped up to the 19th and came even earlier, because when I went to my doctor's appointment that Monday everything was great (my blood pressure was even way down) except over the weekend her fluid level (or I guess the fluid in my belly) was significantly reduced. So we checked into the hospital that night expecting to have the baby the next morning at 10am, but I started going into labor fairly quickly and everything was placed into fast forward mode and we were in surgery only an hour after checking in. I guess Abby really wanted to come early.

Surgery went really well considering what little I remember of the last one, but all I know was it was really nice not having to be so drugged up and exhausted from a long day of labor and then surgery. I didn't even get sick this time in the recovery room... yeah! When I got back to our room after surgery Ben, Abby and Aunt Heidi were all settled in and I was actually able to enjoy their company and be with it enough to have a normal conversation. I felt pretty good for just having a baby.

Recovery is going really well. I feel a lot better than last time and we actually were discharged from the hospital a day early since I was doing so well. So last night, Wednesday, was our very first night at home (it was so nice to be home... we all missed it) and I already have a check up tomorrow afternoon to get my staples removed.

Lizzie was really funny with her new baby sister. For that first night (and most of the next day) Abby wouldn't open her eyes at all and Lizzie kept saying that the "baby won't work". I guess she thought she was like a baby doll that when you lift up the head the eyes open and when you lay it down the eyes close. So, Lizzie thought Abby was broken the first day she saw her sister. Tiny, baby won't work, finally opened her eyes and they're just as bright blue as Lizzie's. Lizzie did really well with the new baby she even helped daddy feed her. We'll have to wait and see how she does the next couple of days at home when Abby's with her all day.

Here's some pictures to enjoy. They're a little out of order, but I'm sure you won't mind! ;)

Abby getting ready to go home... it's been a long time since someone's been able to fit in that seat!

My favorite new picture... Our first night at home

Lizzie holding Abby for the first time

My two baby girls!

Lizzie feeding her baby sister for the first time

Daddy's arms are kind of full

She totally looks like daddy when he was a baby. Everything looks just like Ben even the nose with the dimple underneath... everything except for the bright blue eyes.

Right after surgery holding Abby for the first time

This is Ben's little area of our room. He even got his own bed this time instead of a chair.