First Week

We survived our first week home from the hospital.  Actually Harper is 16 days old today, but I'm a little behind for obvious reasons.  Delaney came down with a nasty cold when Harper was 4 days old.  It was tough keeping Delaney away from Harper but we managed.

This picture was actually taken at the hospital when Harper was one day old.

All snuggled in her carseat and ready to go home.

We got home around 4pm and big sister was ready to love on her baby sister.

There were lots of special kisses and sweet moments.

Jordan asks to hold Harper often.  He's such a good kid.

Delaney always has to know where Harper is.

 Naptime with Daddy

We have so much love for our sweet little addition.

 First bath at home

One week old

Special Visitors

My in-laws brought Jordan and Kierstin up to the hospital after Harper was born.  They were both so excited to finally see her.  There were lots of smiles and giggles from them both and I may have shed a few tears.

Proud big brother and sister.

 Delaney was with my best friend Jayme for the day, so she came by later.  Thanks Jayme!  She was afraid to come into my room and wasn't sure what was going on.  But when she saw me in the bed holding "Harpee" as she calls her, she climbed right up next to me.

She was very eager to give her lots of hugs and kisses.

Me and my girls.  I'm one proud Mommy!

Harper's Birth Story

I'm writing this mostly so I remember the details of this day, but also for anyone who cares to read it.

I was scheduled to be induced on Saturday, January 7th 2012 (39 weeks and 2 days) at 4am.  I called the hospital as instructed at 3am to see if they had a bed available for me.  They did not and told me to call back at 7am.  I was bummed but tried to go back to sleep.  I called back at 7am and they still did not have room for me.  At this point I'm fighting back tears.  I was just so anxious to get things started and meet my baby.  They told me they'd call when they had room.  I didn't have to wait too long because they called at 8:45am.

 Once we got to the hospital at 9:45am we were checked in and my amazing nurse Staci got me all settled into my room.  This happened to be the very same room that Delaney was born in.  I thought that was pretty special.  I was almost 3cm dilated and almost completely effaced at that point.  They started me on a low dose of pitocin around 11am and my doctor broke my water at noon.  I got my epidural around 12:30-12:45 and they made me all comfy with this giant "peanut ball" between my legs to help me dilate faster.  The next time I was checked I was 7cm.  Everything after that just happened so fast.  I was complete and pushing.  With about 4 or 5 pushes Harper was born!  

I got to help pull her out and put her up on my chest.  Such a peaceful entry into this world.  She did not cry right away and I thought nothing of it.  She was pink and trying to open her eyes.  My family later told me they were concerned that she wasn't crying.  The nurse just rubbed her back a little and she let out a huge cry.  Such a special time to hold and admire my baby.  And just because she loves me so much she pooped all over me on the way out.  Awesome!

My doctor noticed that she had a huge figure-eight knot in her cord.  He said he's never seen that kind of knot before.  She must have done it pretty early in my pregnancy when she was tiny.  I'm so thankful that the knot was loose and did not affect the blood and oxygen flow to Harper.  I hate to think of what could have happened.

Harper got all cleaned up and weighed after I held her for a while.  She weighed 7lbs and 12oz and was 20.5 inches long.  EXACTLY the same as Delaney.  She looks a lot like Delaney did when she was a newborn too.

This is the first time that Daddy got to hold Harper.  She has very long, narrow feet with long toes just like her Daddy.  And so far her hair is brown.  We'll see if it falls out and comes in blonde like her big sister's did.

Here's Harper back in Mommy's arms.  She's so amazing and my entire labor from start to finish was roughly 3-4 hours.  One of the best days of my life.  Welcome to our family Harper! 

She's Here!!

Harper Leigh 

January 7th 2012

2:43pm  

7lbs 12oz

20.5 inches 

38 Weeks

How far along? 38 weeks (and 2 days). Our baby is now the size of a watermelon.

Total weight gain/loss: +32 lbs

Maternity clothes: Everyday

Sleep: I have good nights and bad nights.

Best moment this week: Having the week off to spend some quality time with my kids before I'm busy with a newborn.

Movement: She's still moving, but it's mostly rolling movement.  Or her foot sticking out of my side.  She's running out of room.

Food cravings: Nothing really.  I eat, but I get full really fast.  So I'm snacking all day long.

Gender: A perfect little princess.

Labor Signs: No, and it's getting frustrating.  Although my doctor did say that I'm 1 cm and 75% effaced at my appointment last Tuesday.

Belly Button in or out? My belly button just looks weird now.  It's very flat and stretched out.  Not really in or out.

What I miss: Getting a good nights sleep and I'm ready to have my body back.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting my daughter any day now.  Getting extremely impatient.

Weekly Wisdom: Try to enjoy these last few days of being pregnant, even though you're anxious and want her to be here NOW.

Milestones: 9 months pregnant and full term.

Christmas Day

Christmas morning is one of my most favorite days of the year.  All the preparation leading up to the big day and then it's finally here!

Delaney got a Barbie Beetle.  I didn't want her to see it until after all the presents were opened, but Daddy left it by the tree.  It was hard to keep her interested in anything else after that.

Jordan and Kierstin were beside themselves with excitement as usual.

"Bubby" gave her a little guidance in steering her new car.  She's such a woman driver already.

I usually get a picture of all three of them with their stockings, but Delaney was having none of it this year.  Kierstin and Jordan are great at posing for me.

Finally a picture with her stocking!  But of course she won't look at me.  Such a two year old.

Present opening chaos!

Her little people castle from Santa.  Most of her pictures have the head tilt now.

Santa also brought her a playhouse for Christmas.  She was flapping her hands with excitement.  It was priceless.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We went to the early service at church on Christmas Eve.  The kids were looking pretty spiffy in their dressy attire.

 When we got home they opened their Christmas jammies.

All ready for Santa!