The family was able to sit with us in our room before the surgery, then they waited in the waiting room during the birth and just after...
In the mean time Andy and I prepared for surgery...
This time in the OR felt very different than last time. We knew what to expect and our anesthesiologist worked very closely with us to make sure that all of the problems we had the first time were avoided. The surgery went smoothly and I was very alert the whole time. There was definitely a lot of anxiety, though, as we waited for our little one to arrive. The doctor was much more leniant and let Andy take photos of the delivery. Be warned - these photos are not for the faint of heart! If you get sick easily, you may want to skip down a ways.
Once more, we felt relieved and grateful for the c-section, as the doctor had to unwind the umbilical cord from Annalie's neck - just like Amberlin. She said that it was pretty tightly wound. God definitely knew what he was doing when he guided these deliveries! I'm thankful every day that He brought us both daughters unharmed.
When they walked her by us and held her up for us to see, we were amazed at how much she looked like her sister! She was beautiful - and boy, did she have a set of lungs! :) She was not too happy, as you would expect. 
But it only took a few minutes for them to work on her, clean her up, wrap her and hand her over to her Daddy. She stayed in his arms from that point forward until we got to our recovery room. It was such a different experience to get to keep her with us and be able to bond with her right away. It was wonderful! 
I was even able to take a couple photos of Andy & Annalie as they stitched me back up...
Then we went to our recovery room for a few hours where they monitored Annalie and gave her the first bath. Daddy didn't leave her side...
And I held her as much as I could, too! She didn't take to nursing as quickly as we had hoped. It took a lot of work and eventually using a supplemental nursing system until she finally got the hang of it. It was really frustrating, but we were committed to making it work and eventually it did. 
After we spent a few hours in the recovery room we were transferred to the post-partum wing. 
There, Annalie was admired and loved on by our family that was there as well as friends that came to visit. We were so blessed to have so much love around us! Mimi and Aunt Staci were here from California... 
And Nana & Papa came to visit us each day, as well. 
Our friend, Kinsey, came to visit with her daughter, Vivian, and spent some time with us. 
Our good friends, Dave & Heidi came with their three girls to visit, as well. We're so thankful to have them near by.
Several other friends from church and from work came to visit, as well, but we didn't get a chance to take photos of everyone. Dwaine and Andrea, Krista, Joni and Michelle were some of our other visitors.
Our first walk as a family...
Our family...
Amberlin celebrated Annalie's arrival with a birthday party - including cupcakes, juice and a present! Somehow Amberlin ended up getting the present, though. :) Her baby sister (or "Baby Sisert," as she calls her) brought her a Disney princess tea set! It's almost as if she knew her already... :)
Cuddle time with Mommy...
Amberlin was so thrilled to have Mimi here to spend time with her!
And Annalie enjoyed getting to know her, too!
Amberlin checking out her new sister...
Julie came and brought us a meal after we got home to make things easier on us...
Alissa did, as well. Julie, Kelley, Andrea and Kinsey also brought meals, but unfortunately we didn't get pictures of them. We're so thankful for these women in our church and small group!
The women in our family (on the O'Brien side)....
Our family...
More fun family pics...
Mimi enjoying her new granddaughter...
Staci & I before (both pregnant)... 
And then Staci & I after...
"Auntie & Ice Cream - my favorite combo"
Getting some sun...
Me & my girls
Amberlin loves her little sister!
Aunt Staci lovin' on her nieces
WE ARE SO BLESSED! Welcome, Annalie Noel... we are so lucky to have you in our lives!
