Elizabeth's Birth Story

Elizabeth Jane Andrew 

Let me back up to December 6, 2016.  You know how some women will say they knew they were pregnant before they took a test...I never believed them.  I had NO clue that I was pregnant with Brecken before the test and was pretty surprised when it was positive.  This time was different (everything about this experience was different) because I had told Brandon a few days earlier that I thought I was pregnant and bought a test.  I really didn't want to take the test yet because maybe it was all in my head.  I'll be completely honest, I wasn't really expecting to be.  Anyway, December 6th.  I took a test that morning and it was positive within about 3 seconds.  Shocked.  That is probably the best reaction I could give.  I immediately calculated the due date to be August 18th.  

My pregnancy wasn't horrible by any means.  I didn't feel as sick this time, just really tired and needing to eat small meals often to maintain my energy.  Chasing Brecken around was exhausting and anytime he napped, I napped.  Everything went smoothly and we got to the point of finding out the gender.  Our OB had hinted that she thought it might be a boy during a previous appointment, so that is what we expected.  

I remember going in to the room and the tech immediately said first thing, this baby is a girl! Again, shocked!  I was so excited that we would be bringing a little princess in to the world, and a healthy one at that.  

We spent the rest of pregnancy at the park, on walks, and doing whatever we could to beat the heat of a hot summer after a miserable and cold winter (that lasted until the end of May).  

At 36 weeks I went in for my first of the last 4 appointments.  I remember thinking that the baby always felt like she was mostly staying in the same place, even though I felt her move often.  When I mentioned this to the doctor, she felt around and said, "Yup.  This baby is breech."  I immediately got nervous because I did not want to have a C-Section.  She tried to push her into a different position, but nothing happened.  We scheduled a special appointment at the hospital where they hook you up to monitors and give you some medicine to allow the doctor to really push and try to move the baby.  It wasn't fun.  I didn't feel a lot of pain, just a lot of resistance from the baby.  After 30-45 minutes, my doctor's arms were exhausted and our little one would not budge.  Not wanting to stress her or move her if she had the cord wrapped or something, we decided to schedule a C-Section.  Brandon was really nervous and I definitely had my moments. 

The next few weeks were really slow as we hoped and prayed for the baby to turn.  I guess I should just say her name because we had definitely decided on Elizabeth (my middle name) as her first name.  Our little Lizzie had made up her mind that she was comfortable sitting sideways and so on August 11th, 2017 we headed to the hospital at 11:00 AM.  

Sidebar: It's weird to not go through labor (not complaining) and sort of knowing when your child is going to be born.  

Brandon was PUMPED to put on the scrubs.  My very own McDreamy! 

I've never had surgery before (minus wisdom teeth), so I felt all Grey's Anatomy like as we went into the ER.  I actually walked in there myself and then they administered the anesthesia.  Immediately I was numb and they helped me lay down on the table.  I remember being a little nauseated and light headed, so they gave me some medication to help with that.   I knew they were starting and it was pretty strange to be awake.  It took just a couple of minutes and I heard a cry! 

Elizabeth Jane Andrew
8lbs 19 inches
August 11, 2017 12:51 PM

At 12:51 PM Elizabeth was born and I got a look at my baby girl for the first time.  She was beautiful and had a head FULL of dark hair.  We thought she was going to be small, but she weighed in at 8 pounds exactly and 19 inches long.  The doctors could not stop talking about how beautiful she was and her gorgeous hair.  It was the Cache County Fair and they said that if I was to send  in a picture of her, she would easily win cutest baby. Maybe they say that to everyone. . . I'm just going to pretend they don't.  

I got to watch as Brandon helped get her weighed, measured, and cleaned a little.  The doctors were finishing up and I got to hold that sweet girl for the first time.  She look so much like her big brother at first glance: big eyes, cleft chin, same nose.  We were in love immediately. 

They wheeled us into recovery, where we had to stay for at least 2 hours because of the C-Section.  Let me tell y'all something, I have never sweat so much in my life! It was insanely hot because of the anesthesia and not to mention I hadn't been allowed to eat all day.  I remember eating cups full of ice chips to keep cool.  


We finally got into our room and right as we did my Mom brought Brecken in.  He was so happy and excited to see the baby (the only thing he will call her).  He ran around saying "Baby" with a little yell/laugh.  It was precious.  


One final thing about this day was deciding her middle name.  I was in charge of that because Brandon chose Brecken's middle name.  I struggled with this for months thinking of so many names, but ended up choosing the name I thought of very first when we decided her first name would be Elizabeth: Jane.  Elizabeth Jane Andrew.  Jane is a family name on both sides of our families and I think it gives her an elegant and timeless name.  We call her Lizzie mostly, but Elizabeth is truly special.  My Nana suggested that I have the name Lauren Elizabeth and my Mom chose it.  To continue that name in our family means a lot to me. 

Brandon gave Lizzie her first bath

Look at that curly hair! Only curls when it is wet.

I have to share the beautiful Newborn session we had with the amazing Rebecca Dosch! She is seriously the baby whisperer.  We took all of these in about an hour.  She provided all the wraps, headbands, and props.  I couldn't be happier with how they turned out.  If you are in need of a newborn or family photographer in Cache Valley, go check out Paisley Bird Photography!