Introducing Poppy James Dawson

By Gaby

Jump to Recipe

Hi Guys!!! Sorry for the semi-radio silence the last 2ish weeks! We brought a new member to the fam/team and it’s been a whirlwind. Meet Poppy James Dawson – born at 6lbs, 3 ounces and she’s 100% perfection and we are OBSESSED.

Before we get into her birth story – I just want to say thank you to everyone who emailed, texted, DM’ed tweeted etc with words of congratulations. We’re so over the moon and also deliriously tired and feel so lucky that Poppy is coming into such an incredible family here with the What’s Gaby Cooking community! It’s been a looooong journey but here’s what happened!

At my 30 week appointment (we didn’t do an ultrasound because no need that week) things were looking GREAT. My OB felt her in my tummy and was confident that she was head down, butt up and just chilling. I left my appt, went home, ate some Butterscotch Chocolate Caramel Balls and went on my merry way

At my 37 week appointment we did an ultrasound and MUCH to our surprise… we discovered she was Frank Breech. That means she was head up, feet up with her cute little toes touching her forehead. My OB and the ultrasound tech measured my amniotic fluid and said, we could try and flip her the next week. I never had much of a birth plan, I think babies will come into this world however the heck they want, so I said ok… let’s try and flip her next week. Back home I went to some more Butterscotch Chocolate Caramel Balls.

The following week I went in early in the week and my amniotic fluid levels were FINE. Not great but that’s to be expected as you near the end of a pregnancy. My OB scheduled me to do the flip later that week with 1 more ultrasound to double check that my amniotic fluid levels were up to snuff for the actual flip. Low and behold… when I went in for that ultrasound my amniotic fluid levels had dropped even more and my OB (who I love very much) looked at me and said…. meet me at the hospital this afternoon… C-Section coming your way.

We had discussed the possibility of having a C-Section before if she didn’t flip. It was never my first choice because the recovery time from the incision is longer and we all know I’m not very good at sitting still for any extended period of time… but there we were! Everything I had envisioned went right out the window. No laboring at home, no painful drive over the canyon to the hospital, etc. I mean… my hospital bag became mostly WORTHLESS because it was mostly things you need to recover from a vaginal birth. BUT to be honest, nothing mattered. I just wanted this baby to come out as safely as possible.

So, 2 weeks before Poppy was actually due, we rolled right into the hospital, delivered via C-section and Poppy James Dawson was born. Typically the doctors make you stay in the hospital for 3 nights with a C-Section but I’m happy to report we waltzed out of there after 2 nights so we could get home and settle into life with a newborn.

So now, here we are! A little party of 3! Healthy and happy and working on fattening up little baby Poppy. I was up and moving within 3 days and already back on the neighborhood walks daily. (moving is the BEST way to get that incision to heal so that’s what we’re doing!) Poppy is very excited to be part of the WGC world and I cannot wait to introduce her to avocados and all the other delicious things in the future!!

Also how do new moms manage to return phone calls, answer text messages and/or do laundry? THERE IS NO TIME!!

252 Comments

  1. So very happy everything went well and everyone is healthy. I absolutely love watching your Instagram lives etc. I discovered you during the beginning of the pandemic and you really helped me get through it. Thank you!

    Reply

  2. Congratulations Thomas and Gaby!!! Welcome Poppy to the WGC family!!! Looking forward to reading many more stories about your fam of 3!!!

    Reply

  6. I don’t think there has ever been a group of strangers so excited for a baby to be born! Huge congrats to you and Thomas and welcome to the world Poppy!

    Reply

  9. CONGRATULATIONS!! Please post many many more baby pictures. You are glowing and look like the mama you were always meant to be! And PS, that name is BEYOND perfect.

    Reply

  12. Congratulations!!! I was infertile twice. I understand the struggle. I am so excited for your family. BTW, we have 4 children now 🙂

    Reply

  13. She sounds like a strong-willed little lady already….just like her momma! Congratulations! Enjoy every moment.

    Reply

  16. Fantastic! Congratulations! I love her name. So perfect for your personality. Your husband is one lucky dude. I have had two c section babies, as has my daughter. All is well in the world…
    Your fan, Jane

    Reply

  21. Thanks for sharing your story. A baby’s arrival never seems to go to plan! Enjoy all the sweet kisses and peaceful feeds

    Reply

  22. Congrats! She’s gorgeous and all are healthy, that’s all that matters!
    I had a C-section and was happy that I did.

    Reply

  23. Mazel Tov! Congratulations to all three of you! Thank you for sharing your incredible news. I’m so happy for you! Enjoy every minute.

    Reply

  25. Bless your sweet heart(s)!!
    Congratulations!!
    So very blessed-
    Now you’ll know the EXACT meaning of unconditional LOVE!!
    PS I was born 5 pounds 3 ounces
    Wishing you the best!!
    Xo
    Suze McClellan
    Are we allowed to send a gift??

    Reply

  29. Yeah!! She is here and healthy and you are recovering that is all that matters. The journey is different for everyone and I’m so happy Poppy’s was a success! Enjoy your little bundle because girl babies turn into teens quick! Xoxo

    Reply

  31. Baby Poppy made her splash into the world that she wanted it! Congrats to T & G and to the proud grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

    Reply

  33. Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful little baby girl!! After all you’ve been through, you deserve this healthy little bundle of joy to complete your lives. Enjoy her, cherish her, and look ahead to a life of laughs, tears, and mostly an unconditional love like you never knew existed :). I have 3 daughters, all unique in their own ways. 34, 32 and 28. The youngest went through breast cancer in 2019, and it teaches more lessons & emotions I never thought possible. xo

    Reply

  36. She is absolutely beautiful and prayers for a healthy baby and mama were answered! Thank you so much for sharing her and your lives with us adoring fans!

    Reply

  37. Gabby: She is beautiful and I love her name!
    I’m so happy for you both. Enjoy her, she’ll grow too fast.

    Know you are all in my prayers.
    God Bless

    Reply

  39. Congratulations! She is beautiful and I love her name! My first was a girl and delivered via C-section and I went on to have a surprise VBAC with my second. It is so true they have their own plans on how they will enter the world. As long as they are healthy it does not matter! Wishing you a quick recovery and enjoy the newborn snuggles. Can’t wait for alllllll the baby content!

    Reply

  41. So happy everything worked out! What a happy family! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the newest addition 🙂 Congrats Mama and Papa!

    Reply

  42. Sending Congratulations on you darling Poppy! Wishing you all the best and she’s beautiful.

    Moccasin trail

    Reply

  43. Welcome to the world Poppy!! Congratulations Thomas and Gaby!! No doubt you guys will be amazing parents. Remember no matter how much advice you get from everybody you guys have the ultimate say on how Poppy is raised. Trust your instincts and enjoy her. Life is a journey and as you know it it goes really fast.

    Reply

  44. Congratulations, Gaby & Thomas. I love following you and your sweet family. Welcome to the world sweet Poppy!

    Reply

  45. Yay! Honestly I had an emergency c section after a 2 day induction and was moving about faster than my friend who had a vaginal delivery the week before me! C sections are the craziest abdominal surgery! Also that skin numbness can last a year plus but slowly gets better!

    Reply

  46. So happy for all of you! Congrats and welcome to the world Poppy! You are destined to be a “foody” and have a fabulous life! ❤️

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.