Thursday, March 7, 2013 started out on only a few hours sleep. When I got up, I was relieved that we had made it to 40 weeks and to our chosen day. Two of our three girls were going to be born on their due date. I was having some contractions but certainly not full blown labor, just strong braxton hicks contractions. Grammie had come to visit for a few days prior to help take some of the work off me and to help get us to Thursday with no surprises. Granny B and Pawpaw arrived the night before so they could keep the girls during our big day and following weekend.
Granny B, Pawpaw, and I took Makena to school at 9:00am. Makena had her big sister shirt and was excited that she would get to see her baby sister after school. We came back to the house and loaded hospital supplies and then Don and I were on our way to the hospitial. Since pre-op was commpleted the day before, we reported to the third floor of Las Colinas Medical at 10:00am.
Within the hour I was in my hospital gown and hooked up to monitors and IV. The nurse (it was a busy day so there was actually 3 or 4 nurses in pre-op) noticed my contractions were getting stronger and pretty close together, so she notified Dr. Ramos that she might want to go to the operating room early. Mom and Dad came in with Brooklyn before we were taken to the OR. Then Ron and Jeanette came in and said a prayer with us. I got a little emotional at this point. I was so excited to see my baby girl but still a little anxious about the procedure. During our time in pre-op, Don and I finally decided on a name for our precious baby girl. Dr. Ramos and Dr. Taylor (anesthesiologist) came in to chat before we went down. Before too long we were rolling down the hall.
I walked into the operating room and Don waited in the hall until they got me ready. I noticed the clock read 11:57am. They got my spinal block in place and we were ready to see our baby.
Daddy waiting to go into the OR.
At 12:28pm, our healthy precious 7 pound 8.6 ouce 19 inch long little girl was born. Her name...drum roll please....Dalayni Reagan Carroll.
Mommy took this picture of Daddy and his little Dalayni.
At 12:58, I was moved to recovery and they brought Dalayni in to nurse and spend time with Mommy and Daddy.
Mommy and Dalayni in recovery having some skin to skin time. She nursed like a champ!
Daddy posted our news to facebook before he went to tell the grandparents Dalayni was here. Oh the world of instant connections. I believe Grammie saw the post before Daddy made it down the hall. Here Dalayni is about 1.5 hours old (pics taken by Grammie).
3.5 hours old
Big sisters meeting Dalayni for the first time about 6pm. Brooklyn would not sit on the bed with me. So no family pics possible.
Sweet hugs from her biggest sister Makena.
About her specially chosen day. March 7th is a special day for many reasons. It marks the day two special men were born. Dalayni shares Grandpa Don and Great Uncle Bobby's birthday. Dalayni's name was also chosen to carry on the DRC legacy. She shares her initials with Daddy (Don Roger Carroll, Jr), Grandpa Don (Don Roger Carroll, Sr), Great Grandpa Carroll (Darwin Redwine Carroll), and Papa Doc (Doctor Redwine Carroll).
