Gianna

Gianna Alexandra Varley was born on May 3, 2009.
weight: 6 lbs. 12.8 oz.
height: 18.75 in.

In the early morning of Sunday, I felt little contractions as they came and went. I brushed it aside because the pain was minimal. I thought, "hey, it's just a false alarm. Nothing to worry about. I still have 3 more weeks." Boy, was I wrong.

It's 5:30 a.m. and the pain has intensified. I'm still unconvinced that I'm going into labor, so I take a nice, soothing bath. What the heck was I waiting for? Was my threshold for pain that high? I call John who comes running in like a mad man and tell him to call the doc a.s.a.p. Now, imagine being in John's position, trying to pry a woman in labor from the bath tub, dress her and get her into the car all the while stopping every 2 minutes because she feels like the walls are caving in and crumbling around her. He was amazing.

We rushed to the hospital at 100 mph with the window rolled down. We arrived at the hospital at 6:20 a.m. I am trying my best not to push, because that's exactly what you want to do at that point. The security guard assists me out of the car and into a wheelchair. He blazes through the lobby and into the elevator where my water breaks. Yeah, it was wonderful. At the triage, we find out out that I'm already 10 cm dilated! What...the...f...??? Can I get my epidural please?! "A little too late for that, honey," says one of the nurses.

They transport me to the delivery room. I barely notice John and Sophia in the corner. Everything's a blur. Nurses surround me in a flurry. There's not a doctor in sight. As the next contraction comes, one nurse tells me to push. I close my eyes, grip the sidebars and give it everything I have. Can anyone say "ring of fire," because I just experienced it. Five seconds later I hear the sweet sounds of her cry. My eyes pop open in total shock. John and I stare at each other, our jaws dropped to the floor. Whhhaat? Not only did I give birth in a nanosecond, but I did it all natural. It was unbelievable.

And so that's the story of how Gianna came into this world. This past week has been so surprisingly pleasant. She's given me more sleep than I expected, she rarely cries and she has such a sweet smile. I feel so lucky! Motherhood is the BEST gift.

Okay, enough babble. Without further adieu, I would like to introduce you to my newest little darling, Gianna.











Thank you to all of our friends and family who have been so supportive and loving during this time.

Much love,

Daisy