Kennedy Elise Groves

Kennedy Elise Groves was born at 10:59am on September 30th. She weighed 7lbs 8oz and was 20 inches long. She has a full head of dark hair and resembles her big sister. She has long fingers and toes. She is perfection!!

The nurses said she was a fantastic cuddle bug and one night when she was visiting the nursery for a few hours they played "beauty shop". She got a bath and they tied a bow in her hair. They said she was like "one of the girls".

My heart is just exploding! I couldn't be more in love with these two little girls. Seeing them together is one of the most precious sites. Carli loves her little sister. She squealed with glee when they met and was so sweet and gentle. She just can't get enough of Kennedy....and neither can we!

It's go time!!

Having a scheduled C-section was such a different experience than going into labor. Friday September 30th, we woke up early to be at the hospital at 7:30am. I did my makeup, straightened my hair, and watched Nick eat breakfast ( I couldn't eat after midnight). I decided to sneak into the bedroom to give Carli a kiss and tell her I would see her later that day.


Nick and I were both calm and excited. I was quickly registered and changed into my gown, IV started, and chatting it up with my nurse.

There was an "anxious peace" about going into surgery. In some ways, I felt prepared...I knew what to expect and I was SO excited to meet our girl. I had the best doctors and nurses and I felt a great comfort that my OBGYN, Dr. Keder was delivering. She held my hand through the prep and we made guesses on birth weight and length to distract me while they did my epidural. Before I knew it, Nick was by my side and it was go time!

To me, it seemed to take a little longer for them to deliver. The doctor said that repeat C-sections can often take a little longer because there is some scar tissue. I was also acutely aware of everything going on around me so time seemed to move slow.... But before too long, I felt a ton of pressure and heard that sweet baby sing! Dr. Keder held her up and said that my guess of 6lbs 10oz was a little low. Nick followed the nurses to the side of the room to lay eyes on our girl and I laid there crying tears of joy.

Within minutes he had her in his arms.

Once they put me back together (literally) and moved me to a gurney I got to hold my baby girl for the first time as they wheeled me into the recovery room. I was so blessed to have such a wonderful experience. There was a lot of hesitation to have surgery again and I couldn't have asked for it to go smoother.  Nick and I sat in recovery passing her back and forth...but mostly me holding her and doing skin to skin. We took pictures, called family, and breathed in the sweetness that only a newborn brings. Before too long I could wiggle my toes...the sign that I was ready to move to my room!!

Funny enough I had the EXACT same room I had with Carli 4 years ago....the only room with a view of The Shoe! It is just so appropriate for our September babies!  I later learned that it was one of the largest rooms and designed for Abigail Wexner (of The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center) when she had her baby.

So in love!!