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!!
Congratulations and here’s to a happy & healthy 2021!
Congratulations Gaby and Thomas! Welcome, beautiful Poppy! Don't worry if all you get done in a day is empty the dishwasher, nap and cuddle with your sweet girl as much as you can while she's this tiny. Those moments ago far, PS- far too fast and before you know it your baby is 30!! PS-love the beautiful magazine!
Simply beautiful in every sense of the word. You and Thomas couldn’t look happier!
Such HAPPY NEW, God Bless...Enjoy every moment you have with her
Welcome to the world Baby Poppy James! Congratulations Mama and Dad and blessings over your beautiful growing family of 3! She is a perfect little Angel.
Gaby,
Poppy is gorgeous! Congratulations Happy Family of Three. Thank you for sharing your journey. Babies have a very special way of saying Look out World here I come!
My heart is filled with love and joy for you!
Congratulations! And thank you for sharing your c-section birth story and the emotions that go along with it. I just had my second c-section delivery and while I’m thankful that both kids are healthy, I’m still disappointed that I didn’t have the birth experience I hoped and prepared for. It has helped me to feel and acknowledge these feelings, and reading your experience reminded me that I’m not alone. I hope your transition to parenthood goes smoothly, and you have the time and support you need to recover.
Congratulations to you and a huge Welcome to Poppy! Can’t wait to see her growing up! Enjoy every minute. XO
Congratulations!!!! She’s beautiful!!! As far as answering calls/emails, etc, just in your timing. Poppy is most important!!!!
My daughter was breech, as well. Like you, not what I intended, but she came out healthy and that’s all that mattered. She’s 19 now and I still tease her that she came in this world the stubborn way!
Love these precious moments and they do go quickly. Many sleepless nights or interrupted sleep may seem like it doesn’t go fast, but it really does!
Mi Lisa
I’m going to comment on utero flips because moms need to know they are dangerous at best. Caused me a great deal of pain, a night in the hospital, and we almost lost our youngest. A loved one did lose her near full term baby. You are a gift to so many, Gaby. I’m so grateful your fluids dropped!
Congratulations on the birth of you beautiful baby girl! What a joy!
Do you have the ecco mum? That one little device for heating milk AND sterilization is an absolute work horse!
Welcome Poppy and congratulations to you all!!! Enjoy every moment (even the hard ones) as it goes by so quickly. My time management tip is to do a load of laundry on the delay cycle (if you have it). Set the machine to start early in the morning, so it finishes just as you wake up. That way the clothes won’t sit wet and can go into the dryer immediately. I hope that helps! You will find your rhythm through trial and error. If something isn’t working (that works for others), then don’t be afraid to drop it or change. I’m sure you will find what works for your family.
Congratulations on your sweet new baby Poppy!!
Love her name!
Remember when she naps so should you!
What a beautiful party of 3!! The best years are to follow! Congratulations!!
Congratulations! Poppy is beautiful! I wish you all the happiness in the world, as you move into this wonderful new chapter of your life. Congratulations again!