LIVING OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER: WELCOME MISS LILLY

At 30 weeks pregnant, I went into pre-term labor. I did have to be life flighted to the hospital...one of the scariest moments of my life! The Drs. stopped my labor and I didn't end up having her then. I spent 2 weeks in the high risk unit at a bigger hospital than our local one, then the last 6 weeks in and out of our local hospital and on bedrest. Then...Finally...we welcomed our sweet baby girl, Lilly Allena on May 24, 2006 at 10:12am. She weighed 6lbs 12 oz. and 19 inches long. I had a very easy delivery. I went in at 4 cm dialated, in no pain. The Dr. broke my water at 9:40am and I immediately went to 6 cm. About 2 minutes later, I was clenching the side of the bed in more pain then I was expecting at that time, so the doctor decided to check me once more before heading back to his office. To my surprise, my doctor said "Andrea, the head is right here...you need to start pushing". I started pushing right at 10:00am...I pushed about 4-5 times (the last one, wasn't really a push...she just kind of came out)! So, after a pretty hard pregnancy...I was VERY thankful to have had such an easy (32 minute) delivery! I had wanted an epidural, but obviously there was NO time, so I did it 100% natural. I'm glad that it went that way. I never thought I could do it, but I guess I'm stronger than I thought! She looks (and has always looked) just like her Daddy! I was NOT blessed with good sleeping babies! She didn't sleep consistently through the night until she was 18 months old! She is still not much of a sleeper. She is up most mornings between 6:00-6:30 am. She is one of the sweetest, not to mention, most beautiful girls you will ever lay your eyes on :-) She's so much fun and so full of life! I can't believe that she's already 3 and will be starting preschool next week! That is soooo bittersweet for me. I'm sad for myself, but am excited for her. She's a bit nervous over the whole situation, but I know she'll love it!