New Blog....up and running!

      Check out the new blog for Abigail.  I decided to design a new blog, without changing the old one.  Eventually I want to turn the old blog into a book!!  

    New website address... bookmark it!

   http://babyabigailgrace.blogspot.com/

First Outing as a Family!

       Other than a few walks to Whole Foods or the AT&T store, the Johnson Family had our first big outing together on Sunday, August 30th.  I first took Abigail to her first Orioles game, where I had time to catch up with some other baseball moms and share stories, while Abigail got to take in her Daddy's seventh save of the season.  Go Daddy!     

       After the game, the Orioles hosted a Family Day for players and their families.  There was tons of food, goodies for the kids, and jerseys for everyone to wear.  They even had a onesie made for Abigail that has Johnson #43 on the back.  It was way too big, but she will grow into it for next season!  It was a fun time to just hang out, talk, and spend time together on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with such great friends.  Jim and I are truly blessed to be part of such a family oriented baseball team.

Jim was so proud to show off his little girl. 

Abigail didn't do much other than sleep ... maybe she'll enjoy Family Day a little more next year! :)

Sweet Baby ....

      Here are some latest pictures.... I promise to get better with blogging.  With more sleep, I'm having more time to do it!  

Abigail is such a small bundle of joy!  

This is how she spent her time inside .... all curled up :)

Peaceful sleeper ...

Goodnight!

Abby likes to have her hands crossed and legs all tangled up!

She does wake up!!! And suck her thumb :)

Abigail's Birth Story

     It all started on Monday, August 17th.  I woke up early that morning not feeling well and finding it hard to stand up straight.  I was having contractions, but not that close together and had a lot of back pain.  I also hadn't felt Abby move since the evening before, which really made me nervous since I knew her movement patterns so well at this point in the pregnancy.  After talking to Jim, I decided to call the doctor for advice.  Dr. Penn said to go ahead to the hospital, that he would meet me there to see what's going on.   Jim had to head into the ballpark, so I drove to the hospital where I met my Mom.  

      Right away, the nurse was able to find Abigail's heartbeat and she was monitored for 20 minutes.  Everything looked and sounded great!  Dr. Penn then came in and I was STILL only 1 cm dilated and about 85% effaced.  He said to go ahead back home and come in when the contractions or the uncomfortableness got worse.  I was glad everything was okay, but shocked that this was a false alarm.

      Later that afternoon, I started to feel a little better so I decided to go to the baseball game, thinking it would probably be my last game for a while.  My Dad, Heather, and Emily came along and were the first ones to witness my labor pains!  Throughout the whole game, I felt contractions and more pain.  I was sure at this point that something was going on, but kept fighting through it... wanting to be able to say bye to Jim after the game, since he was off to Tampa to start a long, 9 day road trip.  

      After waiting to say my goodbye, I headed back to my parents house so I could get some sleep and hopefully feel better.  At about midnight, I woke my parents up and said "It's time to go!"  My Mom and Jen drove me to the hospital, where I was admitted.... I was in labor!  So the second trip to the hospital in the same day.... wasn't a false alarm!  Dr. Penn had me walk around and drink water for an hour straight and this just made the pain intensify.  Sure enough, it put me right into active labor.

     I called Jim around 1:30am, just as he arrived in Tampa to tell him he needed to get a flight back that we were having a baby!!  He got a flight out at 5:30 am.  While waiting for things to progress, I was given some sleeping medication that made me pretty silly.  I just remember my Mom laughing as I was falling asleep.  Who knows what I was saying to her or the nurse, but THANK YOU.... I couldn't feel the pain and I got some rest before it all began.

      I woke up that morning on August 18th and things started to progress on their own.  However, not at a fast pace.  Dr. Penn had to leave and Dr. Keith was taking over his shift.  I had never met this doctor so it was awkward at first, but she was wonderful!  My water was then broken and I was put on petocin to speed things along.  I received the epidural early on ... thanks to my low pain tolerance! Jim arrived at the hospital around noon, in plenty of time!  

     Over the next several hours, Jim stayed by my side and helped me get through the pain.  He did a wonderful job. At 4:15 pm Dr. Keith said it was time to start pushing and that Abigail was right there.  She didn't think it would take as long as it did... but almost 3 hours later, at 6:43 pm, little Abigail Grace was born!  What a special moment to share with Jim.  We both shed some tears and were amazed that we could bring this sweet little baby into this world.  I was very thankful to have the nurse that I did.  She sweat just as much as I did (the air conditioner shut off halfway through), pushed everytime I pushed, and she actually said it best herself... When my family came in to see us, she said "We all had a baby in here tonight!"

      Abigail was then taken to the NICU to check on some things.  She was very pale and lethargic when she was first born.  The doctors just wanted to make sure things were okay.  Two hours later, she was brought back to us with news that everything was fine!  

     

Welcome to the World sweet Abigail Grace!

      There will be so much to write about the birth of our beautiful baby.  However, that will have to wait, as I'm about to take a quick nap while Abby is off in dreamland.  Gotta get some rest sometime...... Here are just a few pictures already taken of the baby! More to come soon...

Introducing Abigail Grace Johnson

Born on August 18, 2009 at 6:43 p.m.

6 pounds 1 ounce; 19 inches 

Abigail has Daddy's long toes!

The most incredible moment of my life.  First family picture moments after birth.

Proud parents right after birth.

Our little peanut ready to go home from the hospital.  Look at all the hair :)

Just checking in ...

                                  

Dear Abigail,

      Here we are.... full term at 37 weeks!  I can't believe you've gone from the size of a poppy seed to the size (weight) of a watermelon.  You've come a long way in preparing for your life outside the womb.

      I went to the doctors on Wednesday, at exactly 37 weeks and no progress had been made since the week before.  I am still 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced, which still can change quickly or take a few weeks.  We'll wait for you to decide when the time is right!  I have been feeling the same since last week, a lot of pressure and cramping, more and more Braxton Hicks contractions.  Just waiting for the real deal .... Earlier this week, I treated myself to a wonderful pedicure.  It felt great to sit back and relax and now my feet are ready for delivery! Daddy said it was a good idea for me to get pampered a bit, I think partially so he didn't have to do it, although he did say he would!  Brownie points, either way.  It must have been a good pedicure too because the first thing the doctor noticed this week was my toes!! :) 

      Daddy leaves on Tuesday for a long road trip.  I hope you stay settled a little longer so he will be home when you decide to make your way into this world.  I pray that if he is away, he has enough time to get back home to us.  

      Our whole family, lots of friends, and especially me and Daddy are so anxious and excited to meet you.  Stay healthy and strong... we'll see you soon!  

                                     Love,

                                  Mommy

Did I hear you right doc??

Dear Abigail,

     Here we are at 36 weeks.... and you may be ready to make your grand entrance into this world! Lately I have been feeling cramping and a lot of pressure as you push your way down.  At our appointment today, the doctor said I was 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced.   Yikes!  I certainly didn't expect to hear this news, but was excited of course!  Dr. Edwards said some women stay this way for a few weeks, while others progress a lot faster.  She did say it would be a good idea to pack my hospital bag and to start watching for certain signs that may indicate active labor.  She also said you have dropped a lot and that your head is very low.  With my size and your position, Dr. Edwards doesn't think it will be too long  - she said you will be here before my due date!!  Yay!  I have also lost two pounds since my last visit, which I have come to find happens often before your delivery.  

      I will go back to the doctors a week from today and we will check the progress and possibly schedule an induction so that we can be sure Daddy will be in town.  We are so very anxious to meet you and hopefully it will be soon!  Just stay in there a while longer little one, Daddy will be home from Toronto Sunday night.  Mommy and Daddy want to be able to meet you together.  :)  

                                        Love,

                                     Mommy