We started out 2016 in the most wonderful way possible... welcoming our sweet Avonlea into the world.
Adam and I went on a date the evening of January 16th. The kids all went over to Nana and Grandpa's to spend the night and we met the Browning's at Carabba's. I felt like I might be having contractions but nothing serious. We went out for ice cream and got home close to 11 o'clock. There was a big storm coming and I thought there was a chance I might be going into labor so we called the midwife and she told us to go ahead and meet her at the birthing center just in case. All the way down my contractions were irregular and pretty spaced out but almost as soon as we got there they regulated and we new we were going to meet our sweet girl very soon. We got to the birthing center around midnight on the 17th and Avonlea Gwendolyn was born an hour later. It was crazy, and painful, and intense, and excrutiating... and all worth it. Six pounds and 14 ounces of perfection. We love you, Avonlea!
We were home 3 hours later and the kids were so excited to get home and meet Avonlea. Caroline ran up the stairs yelling, "New baby! New baby! New baby!"
And the moment they had all been waiting for... getting to hold their baby :)
The first month was very challenging. We had lots of nursing problems, tongue tie revisions, doctor visits, and sleepless nights. Adam took a job the required him to live in Bradenton during the week when Avonlea was 2 weeks old. But God got us through it all. And we came out on the other side of it loving each other even more, and depending on God for our strength.
These "big kids" are such a huge help and they bring us so much joy.
