First time blogging

Ok, so I didn't even know that this existed. My sister told me I needed a blog and here it is! I want to let every one know that I will be posting updates about the VanNorman family on my blog. Pictures, exciting new things about Ava, and fun family adventures! I hope you all enjoy!

I wanted to start out by letting everyone know that I gave birth to Ava Elizabeth VanNorman on July 22nd, 2008. My birth story is actually very comical! I was scheduled to have a c-section on July 22nd at 7:30 am. Ava was breech the entire pregnancy. I thought that she must just be directionally challenged like her Mommy but soon realized that she's probably stubborn like her Daddy! The night before my surgery I was very nervous. I had mixed feelings about the surgery and thought about allot of things. I thought about me dying on the operating table and who would take care of my little baby...Also thought about my husband and what would happen to him if I died. Who would take care of him and my home. Blah, blah, blah!! I guess that's what happens when a dram queen gets ready to go under the knife! When I realized that I had God on my side and that I shouldn't be worrying about those things I simply rebuked the thoughts of anxiety and fear out of my mind and trusted that God was in control of my life I was fine! Any way... We had company over the night before Ashley, Gage, Todd, and Grandma and Grandpa VanNorman. They made me feel better about the big day. We ate dinner and chatted for a while. I was ready for bed around 10:00 pm. I took a warm bath and relaxed before I dozed off. I woke up at 11:00 pm with a urgent need to pee. I realized that this was weird because I had just went to the bathroom at 10:00, 1 hour earlier. I made it to the bathroom in time for my water to break all over the floor! It was a gush of fluid! I yelled for Wayne and told him that my water had just broke. He was out of it and tired and said "no honey it didn't you just got out of the bath tub!" I yelled back. yes it did, the floor is all wet and it's still gushing out! He jumped out of bed and came to my rescue finally! The contractions started right away. OUCH! They were at first 7 minutes apart and by the time we made it to the hospital they were only 4 minutes apart and much more intense! I am so glad that Ava let me experience the labor part of her birth. I was feeling a little blue about not being able to experience true labor because of the scheduled c-section.I guess she knew that Mommy really wanted that. When we got to early labor the nurse asked me if I was in labor. I said yes and then she asked me how I knew I said because my water broke at 11:00. ( by this time it was little past 12:00) She then asked me when my due date was I said August 4th but I'm scheduled to have the baby in the morning. She looked at me and grinned and shouted to the Dr. " our 7:30 c-section is here a little early!" It was funny! Everyone laughed and they took into the room to get me all strapped in! They checked me and gave me an ultra sound to make sure the baby hadn't turned and let me know that I will be in surgery in 30 minutes! I was like wow! None of my family was even there yet! I told Wayne to keep trying his parents and to call my sister. Just then my mom and dad came in and not soon after everyone else too! Pastor Dennis came in at the last second and prayed over me and the baby. I felt ready and anxious. They gave me my epidural and got the surgery going! Not soon after I saw my little baby. Well... I wouldn't call her little! She was very swollen and the only thing that came to my mind was she's my chunky monkey! I said this out loud and everyone laughed! She weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz's. It was so magical seeing her for the first time! I didn't get to bond with her for another 3 hours. I was very sad. I was to doped up to be able to hold her and I stayed in recovery for over an hour. My surgery was the most painful thing I had ever experienced. The reward however was priceless! I couldn't of asked for more. I had the support of my best friend, my husband Wayne who by the way was fantastic! He kept telling me how beautiful I was and how proud of me he was! My little girl.... I coulnd't of asked for anything more beautiful and sweet! She is so pretty and she really is a good a baby! I love her! When we left the hospital a few days later she weighed 8 lbs 1 oz. She lost weight because she wasn't getting enough to eat. I started bottle feeding her that day until my milk came in. All in all this experience was amazing and I know that this is what I born to do.... Be a MOMMY! I love Ava more than life itself and I'm so glad that I have a wonderful husband to help along the way!