Little SISTER is here!

Tuesday was a big day for our family! I know the title gives it away, but I want to tell her birth story here :-)

Our last family of four picture:

39 weeks!

Brett and I arrived at the hospital around 10 for the noon procedure. The night before I did not sleep well at all...anxious for one, but the baby had seriously felt like he or she had been doing gymnastics for several hours and it felt like the baby was trying to break my water!

I would know why soon enough...but I was worried we weren't going to make it to noon!

Both doctors, the nurses, and anesthesiologist were awesome! I was so anxious (and tired) so it was a surreal, out of body experience. It seemed to have taken forever, but only 22 minutes, for them to deliver the baby...and for them to tell us if we had a son or daughter.

With the OR sheet in front of me, I listened to the play by play. Brett stayed with me most of the time (he said he didn't want to see my insides, and he wanted Dr. Merideth to spill the beans so we could be together at that moment).

I heard her say, "Baby has a big head." Right then I thought my it's-a-girl feeling had been wrong.

I felt them get the baby out, she then said, "it's a....." I know at that time she turned the baby over to check out the gender, and then completed the sentence, "GIRL!"

The entire OR erupted (they knew our story...two boys at home, this would be our last baby, and that we didn't know gender). They we're excited because they said they don't get to experience that too often. So fun!! It was one if the best moments of my life!

Elise Faye was born at 12:22 p.m!

They then brought her around to see me, I could not get over how much she looked like her brothers. And her cry, so sweet (and girly)! You never ever forget meeting your child for the first time. Amazing!

They then cleaned her up, weighed her and did some quick tests while they finished up with me. Brett asked for another thumbs up picture. So happy to have her here safely!

She weighed 8 lbs., 10 oz., and measured 19 inches (a shorty compared to her brothers :-)

The umbilical cord had been wrapped around her neck TWO times, something that would have really affected delivery if we had gone into labor on our own (which I had done with Jakeston and Blake). God was watching over us!

I have a picture of Blake at this point, and they look related that's for sure!

After a couple of minutes, they handed her over to Brett since they were still working on me.

Proud parents!!

Since I couldn't nurse right away, they gave her to Brett...they had some great bonding time. He's already wrapped around her tiny finger!

She was crying some, Brett brought her over to me. I kissed her cheek and started whispering to her

And she settled down. So in love!

She has the longest fingers and toes, like Jameston did when he was born

They were almost done with my procedures, so Brett was able to let her suck on his index finger to tie her over until I could feed her.

After about 20 minutes of further operation, they whisked us off to our room

And Brett then brought the boys in (alongwith my our parents) to find out they now have a little sister! Jw was concerned about mommy because I had been throwing up some :-(

To have them in there to find out (and some of our closest family, too), gosh...those were the sweetest moments I hope to never forget!

Then everyone left was I could feed her for the first time

The nurse determined that her tongue was "tied," which inhibited our first day of feedings. But the pediatrician clipped it Wednesday morning and we haven't looked back!

Blake and Elise bonding for the first time. Heart melt. 

He's been so good with her!

The first of many bows!

They bathed her in our room. JW sure was curious!

He was so excited to get to hold her! This was when she was less than two hours old. So sweet!

He's going to be such a great big brother to her! Love this pic:

Since it was mid afternoon, Blake was up for a nap as well :-)

That's that! What a day!!!

More to come (and lots of pictures) about our first couple of days :-)

-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Recent happenings

Just another blog post to get under my belt before baby #3 arrives. Be prepared, it's a LONG one!

The boys have been with my in-laws since Tuesday afternoon; they offered that up to give me some free time before the baby arrives. Boy, have I had some free time! It is the strangest feeling being kid-free for several days...I am so ready to get them home and for us to be a family of five!

So, what's been going on with us? In December, Brett and I celebrated being together for 12 years! Time flies when you're having fun!

Since Brett has been confined to his office pretty much for the last two months, we have tried to visit him up there as much as possible. The boys love his dry erase board there, ha! I have taken a lot of pictures (more than usual) lately, since the Mr. has been working so hard. It gives him something to look forward to throughout the day, he says. I helped host two baby showers, one in January and one in February, at our house, so my dad and step-mom kept the boys for me (since Brett had to work) on those days. Blake loves Pops and his pool table!

We went to Arlington the first weekend of February to see some good friends. Jameston and Vaughn picked up right where they left off. Future Red Raiders!

We left after lunch, and the boys took their naps in the car. They look the most alike when they sleep :-) 

This is an older picture (since Blake still had the pacifier), but I couldn't not post it. Brett reading "I'm a Big Brother" book to the boys one night

One day, after one of mommy's doctor's appointments, we hit up Chic-Fil-A and "the inside playground" as JW calls it, for lunch...we love that place!

Who needs toys? Just give 'em a box!

My little helpers (can't see Blake much), but my boys love to "help" me in the kitchen. May take me twice as long, but I'll take the offers while I can :-) 

Riding the "horsey" as Blake often requests of his Daddy!

In January we went to cousin, Jax's, 2nd birthday party, a barnyard party in their backyard. So fun!

Train them while they're young!

These kids must've sent out a buffalo-plaid memo before the party :-) 

We often go to the playground on Sunday afternoons after nap (they look like fifties jacket models in this pic)

Especially if Daddy is home!

We battled sickness at the end of January. A stomach virus hit all four of us hard! 

We had colds right before that; Jameston even had an ear infection. You think they are used to their Mommy looking in their ears?! :-)  

Aunt Maggie came to give me some relief when I had the stomach virus (Brett was out of town), and the boys sure enjoyed having her dog, Zep, over!

Jameston has showed some anxiety as of late...guess it is all the excitement on the horizon? He went through a phase where he wanted to potty every 20-30 minutes. After ruling out a UTI and doing some research, we have narrowed it down to anxiety. Our oldest doesn't handle change well...but at least we know that's what it  is! He has been so sweet lately, being my "big helper" since I'm so big...he will say, "Mom, I need to tell you something," about thirty times a day. I hope he is always so willing to talk to me about anything and everything

 

We love bathtime in our house! Instant fun and giggles from these two

Love this shot! On our days at home, when we are stuck inside thanks to cold weather, we play dress up! My pirate and dragon

And Cap and Raph

And on warmer days, we are sure to hit up the trampoline!

We hit up the Dallas Gym one morning and met up with my cousin and her son. Boys had a blast!

Couldn't keep up with this one!

We sure love music and our instruments at our casa

We enjoyed some snow about a month ago

Love that they play so well together! 

Most of the time, anyway...TMNT dominoes!

We had a wonderful Valentine's this year! Love my little sweethearts! And JW took the lead on addressing his Valentines this year, which were TMNT, of course! (this was a far cry from last year, since he didn't want to give them out but keep them for himself instead...) I've captured some sweet moments between these two There really is something to this Brotherly Love. So blessed by my boys!!! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone