She's Here!!!!

Well...I am happy to report that after 9 long months and 9 not so long hours of labor (thanks epidural lady!...I love you), my long awaited moment of sheer joy has come. Her name is Anaya Elyse and she made her grand debut into this world Thursday, December 3rd, at 11:58am. She weighed 8 lbs. 12.9 oz, 21 inches long and she is amazing. I couldn't love anything more. Now I know what women meant when they said they never thought they could love someone so much. I am so in love! She is beautiful and I am so proud of her. I find myself in tears quite often purely from the love I have for her. What a blessing.

As far as the infamous "labor story" goes,...my water broke at 3:00am-ish after two days of on and off cramping (which I chalked up to diarrhea pains that wouldn't go away and let me sleep) and we rushed to the hospital, tears, heavy breathing and all. 40 minutes later we arrived and I meeeeeeaaaaaandered down the hall to my room. I managed to make it to 6 centimeters all by myself until the lovely epidural lady came to take away my woes. I highly recommend an epidural solely due to the fact that you can pay attention to what is going on around you and enjoy the moment...oh, and so you don't feel your estimated 10-11 pound child burst through your body. I know women like to feel their child come out and so did I, but having an epidural didn't change the moment for me. I still felt like I worked hard and made my big contribution. My doctor called the hospital to check on her patients that morning and was shocked to hear that I was there in active labor after 3-4 long weeks of 1 centimeter, 50% effaced, and -3/-2 station. I was so excited to see her walk in to rescue me...and then she left me. :( However, my nurse Karen was amazing and helped make sure my baby was safe and happy before gracing the room with her presence. Finally, at 11:58 after my doctor came back in to rescue me, my beautiful baby girl popped her head out with some help from the forcep lady...aka, my wonderful doctor. I was so glad she was there to help me bring my baby into this world. I didn't even have to push the rest of her out. I guess after 37 cm has just passed through your loins, the rest kind of just falls out. It was kind of an odd feeling to have her placed on my stomach and then in my hands. I didn't feel that rush of emotion at first. More like..."Wow, she's heavy and smells a little." But after they cleaned her up and handed her to me I was overcome. What an amazing opportunity it is to bring a baby into the world. Reed was great, too. He didn't even pass out. He was quiet the whole time, but there for me just the same.

Anaya and I are doing fine now. I am still very sore even a week later, but getting better everyday. Anaya is healthy and oh so cute. See for yourself...

Above: my little bundle of joy after her first bath at home, and kisses from mom after she was all cleaned up. Kisses make everything better...baths can be rough.

A new family...

Chillin' in her new boppy swing... On her way to her first doctor appointment...

So photogenic...and super cute!...
Vogue...work it...

A new mama...

What a proud mom...

Our family is complete...for now...

Hee hee...

and their eyes met, and it was love at first sight...

Gettin' all shined up...and better smelling...

A new daddy...

Not as big as we thought...

Awww...

Brand new...

How could you not love this face?...

...and they lived happily ever after.