August 25, 2007

August 25, 2007
The BEST day of our lives!
Psalm 139:9-10
"If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."




Thursday, September 12, 2013

They got us settled back in Room 323 and bathed you and continued to check over you.  You scored an 8 and a 9 on the Apgar!  Because I was still fighting the nausea medicine, your Daddy got to share in your first skin-to-skin contact.  What a precious moment for the two of you!






9:00
Your grandparents and Aunt and Uncle finally got to come in and meet you!  I know the wait was horrible for them.
Honey Sue holding you for the first time.
PawPaw meeting and talking to you for the first time.



Uncle B and Aunt Allie drove up from Tuscaloosa (after her 1st day teaching) to meet you!  Uncle Brad was smitten over you.  
This is what he texted to me the following day: "That was so incredible last night, no doubt the coolest thing I've ever seen!  Love you and proud of you"

Granny Stephanie seeing you for the first time.


Aunt Mimi has waited a very long time to meet and hold you!


































3 Generations of Millican's











Definitely the highlight of all of our lives to date....you sweet Jake!





Thursday, September 5, 2013

A nurse tells me "You have a linebacker there" and I wasn't sure what that meant in regards to your weight, hehe.  I hear them call out 8'7" and 9'7" and then finally I hear that you weigh 9'1".  They bring you over to me and all I can do is cry.  This was truly one of the greatest moments I've ever experienced and words really can't explain...

Unfortunately the medicine they gave me was putting me to sleep, which is what it is supposed to do.  Believe me Buddy, I fought the sleep as much as I could!  They rolled us back to our room and all of our family was waiting in the hallway.  I could hear there cries and praises...they were beside themselves!





August 19, 2013

4:30 am
Our alarms go off!  I get my shower and double check that I have everything I think I need.  Your Daddy loads the car and we are off.
6:15 am
We arrived on the 3rd floor of the birthing suites at St. Vincent's Birmingham and were directed to Room 323 where we immediately began prepping for your arrival!

7:30 am
As my nurses Amy and Brooke prep my IV's and fluids, Dr. Stone arrives and breaks my water and informs us that I am dilated at a 2 still.  They start my pitocin drip and before I know it, we are literally awaiting your arrival!
Shortly after, your Honey Sue and Nana arrive along with Pops and Gene.  

12:00 ish
Everyone is wondering if and when I will take the epidural.  I am feeling contractions by now, which I wanted to experience in part, so I decide I am ready.
I dont like the numb feeling but am convinced it is better than intense contractions.

3:30
Still in labor.  I have dilated to a 4, barely.  They have tried moving me around and now I am sitting up, hoping you will drop down.
 Shortly after this picture is taken, I realize that my epidural is wearing off.  I am starting to feel contractions and they are very intense.  A nurse comes in and tries to give me a boost but nothing changes.  Your Dr. Daddy realizes that the entire epidural has come out of my back.  So for about 45 minutes I feel strong contractions (but let me say it was completely worth it!) as we wait for the anesthesiologist to come back in and give me a complete new line.

5:45
Dr. Stone comes in to check and I am barely at a 5.  I can see the concern in his eyes as I am now 11 hours into labor and haven't progressed as he would like me to.  He proceeds to tell me that he would advise his own wife to have a c-section at this point.  I immediately get emotional as I really never expected to make this decision.  I look at your Daddy and I can tell he agrees although he is wanting me to make the decision...Dr. Stone tells me that you aren't as far down as you need to be and that your little head is already starting to cone.  I think that alone convinces me that its time...
All of your grandparents had gone to dinner so I make sure your Daddy goes to find them all before they take me back for the cesarean.

6:00
All of the family joins us in the room and I know they are exhausted themselves and sooo ready to meet you.  I get a little emotional as I am nervous but everyone reminds me that I am literally about to meet your sweet face!  Aunt Mimi brings me a blue cross to hold in my hands which makes me cry because it is like the one Honey held.  Everyone joins around the bed as your Daddy prays over me and you!  It was a beautiful moment truly!


Daddy getting ready!  (I've never seen him so handsome!)


6:28 pm
Our last picture together before your arrival!

They take us back to surgery and begin prepping me.  Dr. Stone and your Daddy keep telling me that I am about to meet you in a matter of minutes!  I became a little sick from the epidural and nerves, so they give me nausea medicine during the procedure.  They wouldn't let Daddy come into the room until I was prepped, but he would talk to me everytime the door would open, saying "I'm right here Lanny".  Shortly after Dr. Stone comes into the room, your Daddy joins me and the process of your birth begins!

6:47
I hear your cry.....and my world is changed....






Sunday, the day before your arrival, your Daddy and I didn't know what to do with ourselves :).  So...we went shopping at the outlet malls and just loafed around.  We ran small errands and just enjoyed our time together before our little family welcomed you, our 3rd member!
Around dinner, your Nana and PawPaw Gene arrived in town so we met them along with Honey Sue and Pops at Taziki's in Trussville.  They all stayed together and your Daddy and I headed home.  Your PawPaw and Granny Steph arrived into town shortly later and stopped by to say hello before the big day!  It was the greatest feeling to know all your grandparents were in town and ready to meet you!
After everyone left, I think I finally fell asleep around 12:30, setting my alarm for 4:30!  Sooo excited!

The weekend before your arrival:

Your incredibly thoughtful Daddy planned a surprise dinner for me at one of my favorite restaurants, Satterfields in Cahaba Heights.  I had been getting anxious, awaiting your arrival, and he knew just what I needed.  Some of our closest friends and my family met us there and it really was a wonderful surprise!















This year our lives have changed forever!  December 17, 2012, we found out we were expecting our first child!  We would soon name him Jacob Lance, call him Jake, and be head over heels in love....