The story of Brittyn Hope

I've been trying to make myself sit down and write about sweet Brittyn's arrival for a week now but things got a little busy with 3 kids :)

On Wednesday, Jan 26th, Jeff and I headed to the hospital at 5:30 am to meet our sweet princess. They got me all prepped and ready right as the girls got there with Jeff's parents. We got to give some hugs and kissys and then I went back to surgery.

I was shaking violently at this point because I was pretty nervous and the operating room is freezing cold! First challenge was my spinal and a challenge it was! They didn't quite get the right spot (mostly thanks to the fact I have scoliosis so it was a little more intense) so I could wiggle my toes all through surgery and could feel pain on my left side the whole surgery. Not intense pain but more than the normal tugging and pulling you should feel in surgery. The poor anthesiologist was doing her best to keep me comfortable without having to knock me all the way out. Then.. I leaned to Jeff and said something about I am going to throw up. Reminder: I am strapped down and half numb at this part. So, I proceeded to throw up several times, leaning my head to the side, while the nurse sucked it out of my mouth so I didn't choke to death. Fun, fun, fun. This procedure took slightly longer since they had to get through scar tissue from two prior surgeries. Finally at 7:41am they lifted a little hairy baby girl, wide eyed awake, over the screen and I just started sobbing. I don't know that I could even form words but it was just as amazing the third time. I do remember saying, "oh, I am so happy!" By this time everyone in the operating room was talking about all the hair she had!
She had her umbilical cord wrapped firmly around her neck so she had some facial bruising and came out purple. She didn't scream at first so I was starting to worry as I lay there listening for her but they got her all clear pretty fast. She also had some fluid in her lungs that didn't help the situation. Brittyn and Jeff were whisked off to the nursery while I was being sewn up. They called back from the nursery while my surgery was being finished to let me know she weighed 8 lbs even and was 19.5 inches long. Perfect! My guess for her weight was 7lb 3oz so I was about a pound off, lol. She was a big girl to have come to the world so early! My doctor told me she would have been 9+ pounds if she had gone full term!

I was lifted to the next bed and sent to the recovery room. Once there, Jeff met me with my sweet baby girl and I got to hold her for the first time. She was so bruised and beat up from delivery and the umbilical cord but of course, we thought she looked perfect :) Braelyn and Happy came in shortly after with Jeff's parents and his sister. Braelyn wanted to hold her immediately. She is in love. It took Happy a few minutes to warm up to Brittyn but she was holding her and smiling for pictures in no time at all.

Brittyn had some small issues due to coming to the world early and had to be taken back to the nursery because she was having trouble regulating her temperature. She wimpered most of that day because she couldn't keep herself warm. By day two she had mostly controlled this but for the first week at home it was something I had to keep my eye on. She also had some fluid in her lungs but was clear by day two, as well.
The rest of the day Brittyn was born was spent with lots of friends and family coming to see her. She, of course, slept through it all but I took lots of pictures to show her one day :)

And of course, the whole hospital was talking about that hair, lol. YES, I had severe heartburn but it was soo worth it! The girl has great hair! :)

Between three sticks to get an IV in, a failed spinal, nausea during surgery and the fun surgery itself.. Brittyn Hope was worth every second of it! She has been the sweetest little addition to our family and her big sisters are obsessed with her!

Brittyn Hope

 Brittyn Hope Loftin

Born 01/26/11 at 7:41am

She is 8 lbs even and 19.5 inches long

Lots of dark hair and dark blue eyes!

We are blessed!!

More details and pictures coming soon! 

3 days.. and now 2 days.. :)

So, I missed a day yesterday, sorry. We have had a crazy weekend trying to get our house ready for the big week ahead.. and on top of that, Jeff is still sick! Ugh!

Here is Braelyn yesterday with her 3 links for 3 days to baby Brittyn!!

I already went to the doctor this morning and Brittyn still looks perfect so we are going to let her "bake" two more days.. She will be here on Wednesday, the 26th, for sure! We will be at the hospital at 5:30am and go in to surgery by 7:30! :) I am sooo ready!!
I didn't get a picture, yet, today of the links but Happy was willing to show you that there is now only TWO DAYS until she is a big sister!! Amazing!!

 And just because she is cute.. :)

Happy Monday!!!

4 days....

Can't believe we have less then 4 days until we are a family of FIVE! Brittyn is going to be the perfect addition to our sweet chaos :)

Braelyn taking a link off.. She is READY!!

 And the soon-to-be BIG sister, Happy..

 My precious girls.. I can't wait to have one more!! :)



It's been a little crazy at our house. Jeff has been sick for two days and the girls have been running wild.. (mostly due to being trapped inside because of one sick parent and one parent on bed rest) and I have been trying to get little projects done before Monday. It's amazing all the things I can get done sitting down.. lol. I made me a shirt to wear for the hospital this morning, packed the kids bags for their sleepover at Jamom's while we are at the hospital and packed our hospital bag, too! We are ready whenever Miss Brittyn is.. whether it be Monday or Wednesday!!

37 weeks and 5 days to go...

I'm 37 weeks today!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 37 Weeks

Size of baby: Brittyn is right around 7 lbs!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Honestly, I do not look.. ever! I couldn't even tell you a guess, lol! But I gained 50+ with Braelyn and 40 with Happy so I am guessing around there somewhere.. I won't weigh until after she is born :)

Maternity Clothes:  Yoga pants (or pajama pants) and long sleeve tees! I have maternity jeans, too, but I am not really wearing them since Brittyn has dropped they are not very comfortable..

Gender: It's a girl!!! Brittyn Hope Loftin

Movement: She is very, very active! If she stops moving for more than 30 minutes, I start worrying lol

Sleep: It varies.. some nights I sleep sooo good and some nights I have horrible insomnia!!

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach and having a flat belly! Ha!

Cravings: I always wake up in the middle of the night and need sweets!!

Symptoms: Asides from all related to preeclampsia.. lol Heartburn, exhaustion, anxiousness.. :)

Best Moment this week: Knowing my baby girl will be in my arms in less then a week! And hearing how great she is doing when I was at the doctor.. Very reassuring to hear she is growing and thriving and looks perfect!!

(I stole this little pregnancy survey from Kelly's Korner blog.. she has done it every week of her pregnancy but seeing as how we aren't going to make it to 38 weeks.. this will be my one and only :)

And we are only 5 days away from the big day!!

6 days and an update :)

Only 6 days to baby Brittyn...

 Braelyn can't wait! She is bundled like an eskimo cause its 24 degrees here right now with a wind chill of 11 and chance of ice/snow.. yuck! Have I shared how much I hate cold weather? I hate cold weather. There you have it :)

SIX days or less...

Yesterday I had two appointments. One with my high risk doctor.. he said Brittyn looked so perfect! He did an ultrasound and we could see her "practice breathing". It was so awesome.. I got teary eyed! He said it's a sign of a very healthy baby, praise Jesus!! She is ready whenever she needs to meet the world. I am so grateful. Everything looked great! They did a complete biophysical profile (ultrasound with NST, basically) and she scored a 10 out of 10 on the series of tests!!
Then, I went to my appointment with my OB and my blood pressure wasn't great but no need to take the baby yet. My protein wasn't dangerous high and Brittyn is still thriving. So, she is letting me have Friday off from appointements (WOO HOO, I have been going every other day for 3 weeks!) and she said she will see me Monday. She did say not to eat or drink before my appointment on Monday because she might just take Brittyn on Monday.. we will see! I am trying to not be anxious about it being Monday because I know her birthday will be next week :) If she does not take her on Monday, then she will be here on Wednesday.. the 26th! So we are still "counting down" to the 26th and if she decides to meet us before then we will all be more than happy! :)
I am just relaxing and enjoying our family of 4 for a few more days! I am so thankful that even though I have had troubles during these last two pregnancies, that our precious babies have always been protected! God is good!!

7 days..

Braelyn and Happy with their countdown to Brittyn this morning...

 Big sisters :)

 7 days till my baby is a BIG sister..

 This is kind of the attitude Happy has about becoming a big sister.. LOL She had to stop to pick a boogie :)