Arabella Zoe

It's hard to explain, after 37 weeks, this pregnancy was surreal. Even after hundreds of doctors appointments, too many ultrasounds to count, and listening to her heartbeat every night, part of my brain struggled to comprehend that we were having a baby, a girl no less.

After my 36 week appointment at the high risk, I started to feel off. Contractions picked up and I felt sick and dizzy. I ended up back in l&d, thinking once again, it was nothing and I would be going home in a few hours. Arabella was doing well on the monitors, but me? Not so much. My blood pressure has jumped from 110/74 earlier in the day to 155/116. They thought it had to be a mistake and tried taking it over and over, but it was still high. The contractions were coming every 2-3 mins, but were doing nothing. I was admitted and given magnesium sulfate, hoping it would stop the bp and the contractions...

Once I was diagnosed with preeclamsia, I thought for sure they would do the csection, but no. I spent a LONG week in the hospital, it was hell on my anxiety, but it was totally worth it. My bp spiked again and since I had finally hit 37 weeks, they finally decided it was time.

Arabella Zoe arrived via csection at 9:59 am on 9/25, 5lbs 15oz and 19.5 inches. She is tiny, but strong. She is just about the prettiest baby ever. I am so over the moon in love. We all are. We only put her down to sleep and that is reluctantly. Watching the boys love her is just amazing. I haven't written about her birth until now, because there are just no words that can explain our joy. Not sure there will ever be enough to tell.