I'm an AUNT Again!!

Back in December of 2016 my sister and brother-in-law announced to our family that they were expecting baby #2!  They told us on Christmas Eve, just as they had done three years prior when they announced their pregnancy with my first nephew Wyatt.  Ever since December I've been anxiously awaiting the date of the scheduled c-section to be announced so that I could try and be there for the birth of my second nephew.  Unfortunately it ended up being scheduled for the first week of school, specifically Friday August 25th.  I told my sister that although I would give anything in the world to be in Tallahassee for Easton's arrival, I just couldn't make it work with that being the very first week of school.  She understood and promised to send me pictures and updates throughout the entire process.

What she didn't know was that I was plotting a sneaky surprise all along!  I had actually booked a plane ticket as soon as the surgery date was announced and there was no way I would miss being there!  The only people who knew were my Mom and Matthew because I didn't want to risk spoiling the surprise.  I didn't even tell Kyndall until the day I left because you just never know what may accidentally slip out!

My flight left out of Dallas on Thursday evening and I snuck into Tallahassee late that night.  Kelly still had no idea I was in town and I even sent various text messages continuing to apologize for my absence all the way up until that night before just to throw her off.  My parents picked me up at the airport and I went straight to their house to hide out until the next morning.

Kelly had to be at the hospital super early, like 5:00 am.  The surgery was scheduled for 7:00 am so my parents and I arrived at the hospital around 6:00.  I was SO excited to surprise her and couldn't wait to see her reaction!  I had my Mom follow me into her dark hospital room with my phone as I made my presence known.  As you'll see, she was very surprised!!

I was so happy to be there and so thankful that it worked out for me to experience this with the rest of my family.  When Wyatt was born I was on the transplant list and forbidden to travel, but I put all that on hold and broke the rules in order to be there to see him.  I wanted to do the same for Easton so we made it happen!

Easton David Thomas made his grand debut into the world on Friday August 25th at 8:07 am eastern time.  He weighed 6 pounds and 6 ounces and was 19 inches long.  He was perfectly healthy in every way and we all fell in love with him immediately.  I couldn't get over how much he looked like Wyatt when he was a newborn.  Kelly was in a bit of discomfort following the surgery which is understandable and she had a few scary moments when her blood pressure spiked and they had a hard time keeping it under control.  Eventually everything worked out and Mama and baby were both healthy and happy.

Here are some of the pictures I took during my three days in the hospital with Kelly and Easton....

There she goes!  Her room was across from the OR so she literally walked into surgery.  Next time we would see her we'd also be seeing Easton!

About 30 minutes later, Easton was out!

Proud G-Daddy

Proud Grammy

Proud Great Grandma

Flowers from my parents to Kelly

Proud Grandparents

Goofy Great Uncle and Goofy G-Daddy

Super duper duper proud Aunt Sissy!!!

Cousin Carrie

Later that day Wyatt came to the hospital to meet his baby brother for the first time.  We all watched anxiously to see his reaction....

My sister had packed a gift bag full of goodies for Wyatt to open so that he felt special and loved despite all of the changes that were happening.

She even had time to order these custom shirts for the boys in the family.  I don't know how she did all of this with a toddler and a baby on the way!

My lifelong BFF Amber came to visit

Kelly and I are very close with our cousins.  They're really more like sisters to us.  So it was very special when they brought their families up to the hospital to visit.  There are now 6 great grandsons and Kyndall remains the only great granddaughter.  The queen reigns!

Bryce, Garrison and Jackson admiring their new cousin

Day 2 early morning rounds by the pediatrician.  This pediatrician was the same doctor who took care of me and Kelly when we were kids growing up in Tallahassee.

Kelly let me play dress up with him!

Wyatt on my lap on the left and Easton on my lap on the right

Saturday afternoon I decided to take Wyatt out for some one-on-one time with Aunt Sissy.  He needed some personal attention away from the baby so we headed to his favorite place, Dairy Queen....

Next stop, Toys R Us where he went on a mini shopping spree

We picked out a special balloon for his new brother

And we picked a flower for Mommy

Back at the hospital admiring his purchases

A visit from sweet Mrs. Shanna

Kelly's lifelong friend Emily came all the way from Jacksonville

More friends visitng--Ashlynn, Lisa and Lindsey

Saturday night I got to do something I had always wanted to do.  I got to be the one to stay overnight in the hospital and take care of Kelly and Easton.  SO MANY TIMES I've been the patient but never the caregiver.  I didn't get much sleep but I didn't care because this was my idea of Heaven!

Sunday morning the doctors discharged little man and his Mama from the hospital

I had to say goodbye that afternoon and fly back home to Dallas.  It was hard leaving because I knew the next time I saw Easton he would be 7 weeks old and would have grown so much.  I am so thankful that I was able to be there for his birth and to have the time I did with him and Kelly in the days following.  I absolutely love being Aunt Sissy to my two precious nephews and I can't wait for the many adventures that are sure to come with these boys!