Series Premiere of The Gabi Show!!

January 29, 2013: Looking around on her first day in the world.

January 31, 2013: 3 days old and lots of tricks!

Ready to Go!

As of Wednesday, everything was perfect...except the weather.  As our attorney was on her way to Jasper from Atlanta (about an hour's drive), the hospital announced a tornado warning and all guests and patients needed to move to the hallway.  That made for an exciting twist!  It was a good thing we were friendly with Annette as we got to spend some more quality time together.

Gabi only lost 3 ounces by the time we were discharged, so she left at 5 lbs 9 oz.  She had some diaper rash, but thanks to Aunt Mandy's suggestion of magical cream, it healed up in no time!

The hospital also helped us take some discharge pictures for you and us all to enjoy! 

tornado party in the hallway!

brand new, EXTREMELY happy TEAM COHEN

The determined attorney made it, all papers were signed, and we were ready to go!

Due to the interstate adoption, we had to (got to?) stay with my parents in Marietta, GA until we got the legal approval to take Gabi out of the state.  Our exciting commute to Atlanta included POURING rain and our first real meal in 2 days - WELCOME TO MOE'S! Gotta love eating in the car...

Tucked in and ready to go for our first car ride!

Look in the mirror for Mommy's other special burrito!

REAL, non-hospital food!

Close up on the YUMMIEST little burrito!

At the Hospital

Mommy and Daddy stayed at the hospital for 2 days.  We had amazing nurses to help us, and Nana came up to visit also.  Gabi's blood sugar levels continued to fluctuate, so the hospital staff monitored that closely.  Poor baby kept having her heal pricked and squeezed, but she is a trooper!  By the end of her first full day, we had consistent blood sugar levels that everyone was happy with!

I know I'm going to bite my tongue one day for saying this, but Gabi is INCREDIBLY easy and wonderful!  She's an amazing sleeper, an amazing eater, and just plain amazing!  We got lots of cuddle time and little sleep, but we had a great first couple of days together as a new family!

Mommy loves "kangaroo care" aka skin-to-skin time. It's great bonding, and Mommy tries to do it at least once a day. Even Daddy has tried it too.

Gabi's Birthday

Birthmom Annette went into labor on Sunday night, January 27, 2013.  When she went into the doctor on Monday, and they saw that baby girl was breached, they sent her straight to the hospital for an emergency c-section.  When our adoption agency tried to call Debbie, they didn't have my updated school information.  Our adoption advisor reached Jon at work who called my correct school and said, "I need to talk to Mrs. Cohen NOW!"  Once I heard that, I knew it could only mean ONE thing - We were having a baby!

While I had told the teachers and principal at school, I hadn't even told my students yet, so after collecting my students from all their intervention groups around the school, I told them I had "happy, crazy, and sad news."  I explained to them that Mrs. Cohen and Mr. Cohen were having a baby, and we were having a baby TODAY.

We talked about how usually, Mommies who have babies grow a big belly; "Has anyone noticed Mrs. Cohen's tummy growing bigger?" (My mom acknowledged that was a risky question...)  I explained, "There is another Mommy, Ms. Annette, who DOES have a baby growing inside her belly, and Ms. Annette loves her baby so much that she knows she can't be the best Mommy for her.  She wanted to pick a Mommy and Daddy who could take really really good care of this baby, and guess who she picked?!?!" My students were on the edge of their seats with anticipation, ANXIOUSLY hoping Ms. Annette picked Mr. and Mrs. Cohen..and she did!!!

My students had some very sweet questions including, "Can you bring the baby to school tomorrow?" "Why can't Mr. Cohen take care of him by himself?" "Are you going to be back for the 100th Day of School?"

We had to quickly throw anything we could think of as fast as possible into suitcases and our car, and left Fletcher, NC for the LONGEST 4-hour drive of our lives!  We arrived at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper, GA at 4:45 pm, 3 hours after baby girl had been delivered, met Birthmom Annette briefly, and then were quickly brought to meet our daughter!  Gabriella Daphna was born on January 28, 2013 at 1:44 pm, weighing in at 5 pounds 12 ounces, measuring 18 and a half inches - pure perfection!

First look at Gabriella Daphna

Daddy's first cuddle

Mommy's first cuddle

The hospital staff was amazing and quickly provided us with our own labor suite to enjoy beautiful Gabi in private.  We quickly learned how to feed her (she liked our cooking!), and she had some visitors who just couldn't stay away.

Nana and Zayde

When is Gabi coming?

Gabi's 3 big sisters wait (patiently?) for the new baby to arrive.  Little did they know, she'd arrive sooner than expected!  They anxiously await her arrival back in Fletcher.

Maggie ready to help out in the crib..

Pretty sure Brook and Nikki were offering to change her diaper...