Sweet baby Ally came into the world on Saturday, February 22nd, 2020. 7lbs, 2oz 19 inches long and a full head of hair.
Late into the evening on Friday, Feb. 21st, I started having what I thought were just cramps and just the regular uncomfortableness that became normal the last few weeks of my pregnancy. As they came and went I knew that this was not the norm. I told Chris it wasn’t right and he just kept me calm by talking to me. I didn’t sleep at all and by the time 5:00am rolled around the cramps turned into a close, consistent pattern about every 10 minutes. Well, turns out these cramps were contractions, imagine that HA! I showered and began to put my face on while trying to get everything together. At 7:45am the contractions were now 5 minutes apart and intense where I couldn’t ignore them any longer. As I leaned against the counter in the kitchen waiting for this one to pass, Chris who is now awake and looking at me says, “You want me to mix the paint for the boats?” I laughed through the pain and told him he better just get dressed and load the truck up. He knew it was time and this was not a drill. WE WERE HAVING A BABY.
8:30am we arrive at Sacred Heart. The two of us walked to the birth center and next thing I know I was being admitted and walked to Labor Room 3. I was 6 centimeters. The pain was becoming even more intense and by 12:00pm I was 8 centimeters. Chris constantly was asking me what he could do or if I wanted him to rub me. I didn’t know what the hell I wanted. I would walk around, cry, sit on the bed, move the IV cart around…contractions are a whole different level of pain. Chris suggested I go ahead and get the drugs and I’m so thankful he did. (Dear Epidural, I love you.) After getting the epidural, I was able to lay down and relax a little. Chris never left my side. They came in after I was numb and broke my water. By 3:00pm, I was 10 centimeters. Once my nurse told the doctor I was ready to push, the nascar pit crew entered the room. There was 5 people and a cart full of doctor goodies. Every one of them knew their job and went straight to work getting things set up. A nurse on stand by for baby, two doctors, two other nurses on each side of me. This was obviously not their first tire change.
One last push and at 3:41pm, Ally Lynn entered our world. They placed her on my chest and I lost it. I cried so hard and had never felt such a feeling. I pulled my gown over us and the whole world around me blurred. I said Hello Ally, I’m your Mom…her eyes went right to mine and she never took them off me. I cried and stared at her knowing I was truly looking straight at God. A true miracle. So innocent and perfect. I had never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life.
I don’t know what I did to deserve this little girl but I thank God every single day for choosing me to be her Mama. I have done a lot in my 27 years of life but this is by far the achievement I am the most proud of. She is a week old today and has been such a new light in our lives. To see Chris hold and love her has opened a whole new space in my heart. Our world will never be the same. God knew we needed this little girl.
Happy Birthday to my Ally girl!
Daddy and I love you so much!
One Shot Shelby 