What a "Good Friday" ... Aly's arrival!

(NOTE: this is a long one)

I woke up on Good Friday at 5:45am, but I thought my water broke. Not sure exactly, I went down stairs and got on the computer to google info. Around 6:25a.m. my contractions started. I started writing them down to see how far apart they were, well by 6:45a.m. they were a little over 10 minutes apart. I woke Rob up to let him know that I thought I was in labor and that my water broke. I called the dr., and he said I was in labor and to make my way to the hospital (while I was waiting to hear back from the dr. I took a quick shower). The shower was probably not the best thing I did since it took me longer to get ready and get out of the house. Thank God, my sister got into town the day before, and was staying at my house with Maddie & Hailey. We woke Ansley up before we left and told her we were going to have baby Aly. She didn't mind too much, she was excited to just play with her cousins. By the time we left for the hospital my contractions were close to 5 minutes apart.

We were very fortunate it was Good Friday and the beginning of spring break so the traffic was light. I hate to think what would have happened if it was a normal day (we live about 25 minutes away from the hospital with no traffic). When we got to the hospital (around 8am) I was in so much pain and my contractions were 4 minutes apart. They got me to a room really quick, and checked me right away (I was 7 cm dilated). Unfortunately, the anesthesiologist was in a c-section and couldn't leave til the baby was born and the on-call anesthesiologist was busy. I was so SCARED that I was not going to be able to get the epidural. I kept telling Rob and the nurses that I couldn't do this natural, I was in so much pain! Once, the anesthesiologist finally came in, and got the epidural administered (which took him two times since he missed and hit my vein the first time)... my water fully broke! And then I literally started pushing. Everything happened so fast!!!! Needless to say the epidural did not have time to fully kick in before I started pushing. But 30 minutes later, Alyson "Aly" Lynn Mautz was born at 10:09a.m., weighing 7lbs. 10.5 oz, 20 1/2 inches long. She had a head full of dark hair :) She was perfect!!!

I can't thank Rob enough, he was such a good coach and so supportive. I really couldn't have gotten through the labor without him (it was much harder then when I had Ansley). I had awesome nurses as well. And I don't know what I would have done if my sister wasn't in town. I really don't think we would have had enough time to have gotten Ansley to a friend's house. Plus, it really all worked out like it was suppose to. Aly wanted to make sure her Aunt Kelly and cousins were in town for her arrival :)


My family came down later in the day after the girls took naps. Ansley was unsure of what to think, but she just watched her baby sister from afar which was fine. We were not going to push her into holding her sister or do anything she didn't want to do... However, her cousin Madison, was very interested in Aly and wanted to hold her, it was really sweet! It was a great visit and Kelly and my parents brought the kids back down the following day as well. We were released from the hospital on Easter Sunday. When we arrived home, there was a "Welcome Home Baby Aly" sign on the front door (Ansley & Pops made it) and we were welcomed by my sister, Maddie, Hailey, Nana & Pop Pop, and Mimi & Pops. Plus, they had prepared an Easter lunch, Rob and I were so happy to not be eating hospital food anymore.

This Easter was so special for all of us, we finally were able to be a family of 4! We have waited such a long time for this and feel extremely blessed.

I have taken a ton of pics but wanted to post some of my favorites. Kelly, the girls, and my parents stayed for the week. I have some great pictures from Aly's 1st week, our Easter egg hunt, and pics of all the big girls playing (I will try and post these in the next couple of days so I don't get behind). Hope you enjoy!

introducing.... Alyson "Aly" Lynn Mautz

weighing in at 7lbs. 10.5 oz

first pic of me & Aly

daddy's first pic with baby Aly

Ansley seeing me for the first time, a little overwhelmed by everything

I love this picture, so sweet!

Me & my girls

LOVE this one!

Finally, our family of 4!!! (my new favorite)

Do you think Pop Pop is happy?

Aunt Kelly & Aly

Pop Pop is surrounded by girls... I don't think he would have it any other way :)

Ansley getting comfortable on my hospital bed with her gift from us ... her very own music jewelry box

Mimi & Aly

Pops & Aly

All ready to go home!

coming home to the sweet sign Ansley made for her baby sister "Welcome home Aly"

checking out her baby sister