Abbey at one day old.
Abbey was due on June 11, but by June 13, nothing was happening and it did not look like she was in any hurry to come out. And an ultrasound showed that she was going to be over 9 pounds. So the doctors scheduled a c-section for June 14. I hate c-sections, but I did not really have any choice, and I knew she had to come out sooner or later! So very early on the morning of June 14, Cecil and I headed to the hospital. Abigail Rose was born at 7:54 AM. She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 20 inches long. And she was perfect! One of the first things the doctor said when she came out was "Wow, look at those feet!" Abbey definitely has big feet. When the nurse tried to take her footprint, she had to get a bigger card because Abbey's feet would not fit on the standard size card.
As soon as she was cleaned up, Daddy got to hold her and I got to look at her while they gave me the happy drugs to get me through the rest of surgery. I think she looks like Helen. She has the same dark hair and round face that Helen had when she was born. We spent 3 days in the hospital and both of us did great. No problems or complications, thank goodness.
The nice thing about c-section babies is they have nice round heads!
On June 15, the kids came to the hospital. Alex was coming to visit me but the girls were coming to visit Abbey. This picture pretty much sums up how they were all feeling that day. Alex walked in and came straight to me. Helen and Ella went straight to Abbey. Alex was having a hard time with all of the adjustments in his life and with me being gone. Helen LOVES her baby sister. You can see here that she is the little mommy for Abbey. Ella likes her baby sister too but quickly loses interest in her. Ella has a busy life and plans to get on with it.
It has been great getting to see Cecil spend so much time with Abbey. For someone who has never spent much time with newborns, he is amazing with her. It could also be because they look so much alike!
It is so nice having a healthy, full term baby and with nothing to worry about!
She is still doing great. Within a week, she had gained back her birth weight and then some. She is not shy about eating!
The proud and happy parents!
At the hospital on the day of the c-section just waiting for surgery (I look calmer than I felt)
She's out and Daddy is cutting the cord!
Abbey does not like getting weighed
Daddy, Abbey, and Mommy in the delivery room
One healthy baby!
The kids coming to the hospital room to visit
Ella and Helen checking out Abbey
Alex has seen enough. Where's mommy?
The big sisters and big brother
Checking out their baby sister
Helen is never very far from Abbey
Mommy and Alex - he's still not sure what to make of this. He was very scared to touch me because we had talked to him so much about being gentle with me and not touching my belly
Grandma, Helen, and Abbey. Helen is not happy about someone else getting to hold her baby. 
Grandma in Grandma heaven
Big Sister Ella
Mommy snuggling with Abbey
Changing a diaper before we headed home
Getting ready to head home. Mommy is wearing the new pearls that Daddy got for her in celebration of Abbey's arrival. My husband is amazing and never ceases to amaze me. Lucky for me the birthstone for June is the pearl!
Helen and Ella watching Grandma give Abbey a bath. The kids were very disturbed by Abbey's cord and never quite understood why it was there. They were very relieved when they eventually saw that she would have a belly button. 
Ella and Helen playing with Abbey
Eating birthday cake in celebration of Abbey's birthday!
Grandma and Abbey at Abbey's birthday party
The excitement was too much for Abbey
Opening birthday presents from Abbey. Helen got a Cinderella doll from her baby sister (as if she needed any help adjusting to the new baby)
Alex got a Star Wars light saber
Ella got a princess purse (which she has carried around with her every day since she got it - does Abbey know what her siblings like or what?)
Helping Daddy open his Father's Day presents
Abbey taking it all in
Abbey sleeping on Daddy's chest
Daddy watching TV with all 4 kids
Princess Ella in her dress up clothes
She wears this princess dress every day
Ella and Helen in their new Hello Kitty sunglasses from Jennifer
Aren't they precious? 
Aunt Cathy came down to visit for the 4th of July weekend and got some snuggle time in with Abbey
Daddy set up a slip and slide on the 4th for the kids to play with
The sliding part took some practice
Helen
Abbey getting a bath from Grandma. She's not sure how she feels about it. 
I think she looks so much like Helen when Helen was a baby
