Welcome To The World

Addison Joy Kuhlmeyer

May 1, 2008, 7:49 a.m.

8 pounds, 8.9 ounces; 19 inches long

Our FIRST FAMILY photo!

On Monday, April 28, I had my 39 week obgyn appointment. We went in to see Dr. Lowden, having discussed our options the previous week about what we could choose to do if Addison had not "dropped" (or engaged in the birth canal) by 39 weeks. Dr. Lowden told Chris and I that it is not usually a good sign for a first time mom to not have dropped by 38 weeks. So, at our 39 week appointment, Dr. Lowden confirmed that Addison still had not entered the birth canal and gave us the option of a primary C-section. She told us that she could not predict with 100% accuracy that I would not be able to deliver Addison, but in her past experience, it wasn't likely. She said she'd hate for me to labor forever to end up having a section -- when she was pretty sure that's what would happen.

Chris and I chose to schedule a section and were given Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 a.m. That was the day we had picked out ourselves!!! So, the countdown was on!

His mom had come the day before, and my parents flew in on Wednesday evening... Of course we went to Olive Garden that night for my "last meal!" Later that evening, Mom, Dad, Mrs. LaJuan and I went to Jimmie's Diner for old fashioned ice cream sundaes too!

It was around midnight that Chris and I got in bed, and we had to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. Chris was up by 3 a.m. and had me up before 3:30 a.m. So, we got dressed and I made Chris take me to Wal Mart at 4:30 a.m. to get waterproof mascara! LOL!

We got to the hospital, checked in and made our way to antepartum to get prepped for surgery. I must say that I thought I'd be sitting for 2 hours and waiting, but we were busy almost the entire time getting ready, answering questions, getting iv's and such. Mom, Dad and Mrs. LaJuan were able to come in and see us before surgery.

Before surgery


Right around 7 a.m., my nurse came to get me and had me walk myself to the OR. Up until then, I'd been pretty calm. But walking myself into the OR, that was weird and that's when I started to get a little panicked. I was most nervous about getting the spinal block... I have a tendency to flinch when stuck with a needle, and I was really scared that's what I would do. To make it worse, the nurse kept telling me how bad it would be if I moved... that made me more nervous. Chris was in front of me, holding me and helping me to breathe. The first shot hurt... the one to numb the area. Didn't feel one thing when it came down to the actual spinal! So, next comes the fun part... I slid over on the table as my body starts going numb... it felt heavy and tingly at first! The nurse starts testing my feeling... that was weird. At first I could feel more, but the spinal eventually took full effect... so much so that I started to have an anxiety attack. I got really nauseous, felt HORRIBLE, and the feeling of not being able to move my lower half, all of that proved to be too much for me. Well, when you need to calm down, what do you do -- take deep breaths right? Wrong! that's what I wanted to do, but it was making me worse and they kept telling me to take shallow breaths! That was HARD!

So, I finally got calmed down, Chris was by my side and Dr. Lowden arrived in the OR. The Doctor and the resident marked my belly and the "sheet" was not up yet... I was starting to wonder if I was going to have to watch the whole thing -- bad thought for me! But, Don't worry, they then put up the divider sheet. Chris was able to stand up and see some, but my BIG belly was blocking most of his view of the action... but he and the anesthesiologist were telling me what to expect. I felt a lot of tugging and pushing, and they told me I'd feel A LOT of pressure just before they pulled her out. The anesthesiologist said to get ready... I felt tremendous pressure to the point that it was hard to breathe and then I heard a little cry! Chris said there she is! 7:49 a.m.! (Her Daddy called her time of birth!) It was the sweetest sound I have ever heard! They pulled her out and brought her around the curtain to show her to me... then it was off to the warmer to get cleaned up and checked out.

I laid there listening to her cry with tears running down my cheeks... Chris was over with Addison, taking lots of pictures. A little later, they brought her to me and laid her on my chest so I could hold her. She opened both her eyes to look at Mommy!!!

First Time MOMMY held Addison!


After the doctors closed me and finished, we were brought to recovery to bond with Addison. she was awake and alert and beautiful! She latched right on to breast feed and had her first bath too.

Daddy and Addy in the OR

Dr. Lowden with Addison in the OR.

Check back soon for more photos and posts about Addison Joy!