Welcome, Julia!

I had a my 36 week doctor's appointment on Wednesday, August 21st.  
At that appointment Dr. Kirkman checked me.  I was dilated to 2cm and was 90% effaced.  
He told me to take it easy until my 
next appointment (5 days later) when this baby would be considered full term.  
Also, the doctor told me to have my hospital bags with me on Monday
and to have a babysitter ready for my kids.
Grandma Hallstrom took this picture of me right before I left for my
37 week doctor's appointment on Monday, August 26th.
I had a feeling that this day was going to be an exciting one.

Last self portrait of this pregnancy.
My doctor's appointment was at 10am.  Dr. Kirkman was over at the hospital finishing up a baby delivery.  I had a 45 minute wait in the patient room so I took a couple pictures of my surroundings.

I can barely see my toes.  And yes, I gave myself this pedi.

Waiting patiently at the doctor's office.

Dr. Kirkman checked me again and told me that I was dilated to 3cm and 90% effaced.  
I was indeed in early labor!
I told him that I had been awake since 6am having some big contractions, 
but that they didn't bother me at all.  
He said that it'd be best if I headed on over to labor and delivery 
(the neighboring building).  I was scheduled for a 1pm c-section.

Where I spent 50+ hours this week. 

I called Sam and told him the great news.  I sent him home to get Tyler off to school 
and to tell Grandma Hallstrom that we'd need her to stay the rest of the day and the following morning.
I went to the hospital myself, got all checked in, and prepped for surgery.
Sam met me there and we waited for awhile.

Waiting. No pain.
I am not lying when I say that I was in no pain.  I was having contractions every 2-3 minutes.

About to meet our daughter!

Proud parents

Here she is... Julia! 

Julia Elizabeth Ward was born on August 26, 3013 at 2:15pm weighing in at 6 lbs 8 oz. and she was 18.5 inches long.

She's a keeper!

Nothing is better than this! I'm loving every second with my girl! #newbornsnuggles

#weneedeachother #tinyfingers

Loved having this reminder in my room.  #room24

I wasn't feeling good for the rest of the day.  I couldn't keep any food down until the next morning.  

Sam brought Grandma Hallstrom and the kids to meet Julia.  

We didn't quite get the classic family picture on the hospital bed like I wanted, 
but at least we got something.

View from my room. When the kids came to meet Julia, Brian said, 

"Oh look! There's pink clouds because we had a baby girl!" 

The next day, I saw a complete rainbow! #ilovethemountains

Breakfast in bed

Lunch with my Visiting Teacher, Heather Stephenson.
We had a nice visit #latergram #thanksforcoming#shebroughtlunch #caferiosweetporksalad
My mother-in-law and my second cousin, Angela Lewis also came to visit me in the hospital.

Grandma Ward with her 12th grandchild, Julia.
A special thanks to my Grandma Hallstrom and to my mother-in-law, Carolyn for their help
 with the kids while I was in the hospital.

I would like to end this post with Julia's mini newborn photoshoot... hospital style :)