Becoming Mom and Dad

On December 18, 2010, Matt and I became mom and dad for the first time! Avery was breech, so we had scheduled a C-Section for December 20th. Avery had other plans, however. As Matt and I were wrapping Christmas presents, cleaning up our very messy home, and making plans for our very last weekend of spending time together without children, my water broke. We left everything just like it was (messy) and rushed to Williamson Medical. They got me in pretty quickly and prepped me for the C-Section. At 3:36 p.m. Avery Grace Metcalf was born. She weighed only 5 lbs. and 13 oz. and was 18.5 inches long. We were no longer a family of two, but three. We love it like this!















After she was born, we were told that the C-Section was absolutely the best decision because the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck three times. Had we chosen to try to get her turned, that would have caused some problems and resulted in an emergency C-Section. The doctor who delivered her, Dr. Redden, affirmed that God had worked out every detail just as it should have been for a safe delivery.














We came home from the hospital on Tuesday with our sweet baby girl. When we left she weighed only 5 lbs. 1.9 oz. Since we have been home, she has gained 3 oz. Here are some wonderful things about our sweet little girl that I want to share and also remember about our first week home as a family of three:

1. Sleep - Avery has been sleeping 3-4 hours at a time during the night. She must know that her mom and dad must have sleep.
2. Eating - She has been eating very well! I was so glad because she really needs to gain some weight.
3. Alert - Yes, our baby girl, when she is awake is very alert. Her eyes follow and look directly at the person holding her. The doctor was really impressed with this yesterday.
4. Smart - I am sure all parents think their child is smart, but last night Matt asked Avery if she were hungry and then she looked right at me. I might have happened by chance, but I would like to think she has already made that connection.
5. Lungs - This girl has some lungs alright! Every night around 8:30 she likes to scream/cry for a while. I am sure the day has been pretty rough for her and she just has to get it out.
6. Diapering a Girl- People always say that only boys pee on you when you are changing them. That is a myth! She definitely peed all over me and the changing pad yesterday when I was changing her! I still love her the same though.

OK, I am going to wrap up this post with some pictures of Avery during her first four days of life! I can't wait to share more!














Coming home from the hospital













I wonder what she is thinking about?













Thanks for the doll Mimi and Pappy! It is as big as me!









































Our happy little family!