Hi Guys!!! Sorry for the semi-radio silence the last 2ish weeks! We brought a new member to the fam/team and it's been a whirlwind. Meet Poppy James Dawson - born at 6lbs, 3 ounces and she's 100% perfection and we are OBSESSED.
Before we get into her birth story - I just want to say thank you to everyone who emailed, texted, DM'ed tweeted etc with words of congratulations. We're so over the moon and also deliriously tired and feel so lucky that Poppy is coming into such an incredible family here with the What's Gaby Cooking community! It's been a looooong journey but here's what happened!
At my 30 week appointment (we didn't do an ultrasound because no need that week) things were looking GREAT. My OB felt her in my tummy and was confident that she was head down, butt up and just chilling. I left my appt, went home, ate some Butterscotch Chocolate Caramel Balls and went on my merry way
At my 37 week appointment we did an ultrasound and MUCH to our surprise... we discovered she was Frank Breech. That means she was head up, feet up with her cute little toes touching her forehead. My OB and the ultrasound tech measured my amniotic fluid and said, we could try and flip her the next week. I never had much of a birth plan, I think babies will come into this world however the heck they want, so I said ok... let's try and flip her next week. Back home I went to some more Butterscotch Chocolate Caramel Balls.
The following week I went in early in the week and my amniotic fluid levels were FINE. Not great but that's to be expected as you near the end of a pregnancy. My OB scheduled me to do the flip later that week with 1 more ultrasound to double check that my amniotic fluid levels were up to snuff for the actual flip. Low and behold... when I went in for that ultrasound my amniotic fluid levels had dropped even more and my OB (who I love very much) looked at me and said.... meet me at the hospital this afternoon... C-Section coming your way.
We had discussed the possibility of having a C-Section before if she didn't flip. It was never my first choice because the recovery time from the incision is longer and we all know I'm not very good at sitting still for any extended period of time... but there we were! Everything I had envisioned went right out the window. No laboring at home, no painful drive over the canyon to the hospital, etc. I mean... my hospital bag became mostly WORTHLESS because it was mostly things you need to recover from a vaginal birth. BUT to be honest, nothing mattered. I just wanted this baby to come out as safely as possible.
So, 2 weeks before Poppy was actually due, we rolled right into the hospital, delivered via C-section and Poppy James Dawson was born. Typically the doctors make you stay in the hospital for 3 nights with a C-Section but I'm happy to report we waltzed out of there after 2 nights so we could get home and settle into life with a newborn.
So now, here we are! A little party of 3! Healthy and happy and working on fattening up little baby Poppy. I was up and moving within 3 days and already back on the neighborhood walks daily. (moving is the BEST way to get that incision to heal so that's what we're doing!) Poppy is very excited to be part of the WGC world and I cannot wait to introduce her to avocados and all the other delicious things in the future!!
Also how do new moms manage to return phone calls, answer text messages and/or do laundry? THERE IS NO TIME!!
First off: C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!
Your story is very similar to mine. My son was breech because it turns out I have a bicornuate uterus (heart shaped) and we was stuck on the one side, unable to rotate. We also didn't have a birth plan - never even considered a c-section. We tried everything to get him to turn: external cehphalic version, handstands in the pool, moxibustion (yeah, we went there). But unbeknownst to us, he just couldn't move because my uterus was the way it was - poor guy! At the 37 week appointment they couldn't find any amniotic fluid and they scheduled me for a c-section that night. We were unprepared but everything turned out fine. He was a long, skinny 6.1 pounds and I think he was pretty happy to be OUT to stretch his arms and legs. He's now 14 and stands at 6'3" and is 185lbs. Enjoy the ride - the days are long but the years are short. All the best to you and Poppy -xx
Congratulations Gabby. I’m so very happy for you and your hubby. Enjoy every moment!!!
Congratulations Gabby. I’m so very happy for you and your hubby. Enjoy every moment!!!
Welcome to your beautiful baby girl!!! Poppy is such a sweet name! You make a wonderful family of 3!! Congratulations!
Robin
Congrats to you 3!!! Put on your seat belts your in for the ride of your life!! Just remember to enjoy every moment, it goes by so painfully fast♥️( momma of 18,17&11)
Congratulations! Your party if 3 are absolutely beautiful!
Your doing exactly what is needed after a C-section and are probably on your way
Sending you sunshine and butterflies to your sweet baby girl!
Aloha from Hawaii
Congratulations!! What a wild ride to get here and so happy to read that everything worked out just fine. Welcome baby Poppy to the world!
Somebody was quite comfy and was going to make a statement of who was the new Boss in town. Poppy James is beautiful and no wonder you have been radio silent. Enjoy enjoy every second we will be here using all the oldies but goodies to keep our bellies full until you come back. Congratulations
I had a six weeks premature child who was born by caesarean section, many years ago but I remember distinctly wanting to hit the nurse who strode along the hospital corridor with me as I went to look through the window at my baby who said oh don’t worry one day he’ll be 6 feet tall. He weighed almost 4 pounds, and today, bloody hell, he is 6 foot two.
So, good luck..... i’m sure in two or three years you will look back and say did we really fuss about this. But first baby everything is on the line so just take a deep breath and go for it.
“Sleep when the baby sleeps | eat when the baby eats | do laundry when the baby does laundry”
Congratulations! Poppy is so lucky to have the best mom and dad! My kids are teens now and I’d give anything to hold them again! Don’t worry about those calls/emails/texts - you’ll get to them eventually! For now, just rest when you can and hold and kiss sweet Poppy! xo ❤️
I ❤️ Your no plan plan! Mine for my 3 was same, however they want , need etc to come in to the light was what I was going with. My last was section, I walked lots but do be gentle with yourself you had major surgery( with a very beautiful outcome! ). Life is good. God is great, enjoy your little time as a new fam!
So happy for you and your family. Your upbeat DNA will ring true in your new little one. Looking forward to all you do. KA
What wonderful news!! So happy for you and your husband. Congratulations!! Here's to new beginnings.... Cheers!
So happy for you and your lovely Poppy. Take time to enjoy every minute of this first year. Time flies by in the blink of an eye. Take lots of pictures and definitely don’t forget to journal. Your entries will capture all the emotion of this journey. Big air hug to you and your beautiful family.