Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Brooklyn

Hello everyone! Now that things are starting to calm down a bit, we thought we'd introduce you to our newest addition: Brooklyn Patrick. For those of you who haven't heard the story, here it is. (For those of you who have, feel free to skip to the pictures :] ). 

So my due date was June 13th, and as it came closer I got more and more excited (and by excited I mean impatient! :] ). Then it came -- nothing. It passed -- nothing. Fortunately I had an induction date set for a week later, so I knew it had to end sometime. That week crept along and still nothing. Finally, Thursday June 20th rolled around, and Stephan and I packed our bag and headed to the hospital at 6 AM to be induced. At 7 they broke my water, and I immediately started having contractions. I only ended up getting up to 6 mL/hr of Pitocin, and for those of you who have been induced you most likely know that that is nothing compared to the 60 mL/hr most women reach before they deliver. So, turns out all I really needed was to have my water broken. If only that's something they taught you in nursing school...I would have broken it myself! :] Anyways, 45 minutes into serious contractions I couldn't handle it any longer and got an epidural. Another 45 minutes later and I was in labor heaven! I don't know how people go natural. I must be a weenie or something, but that is a decision that I do not regret! The next few hours were cake -- all thanks to the drugs! So I think by 9 AM I had gone from 3 cm to 7 and was complete by 10:30. I wasn't allowed to push until 1:30 though. And by 2:49 PM on June 20th we had a baby! She was 8 lbs 6 oz and 21 1/2 inches long. I would have preferred to push out a 7 lb baby, but we couldn't be happier with our little chunk. She's got all ten toes and fingers, LOTS of dark brown hair, and the cutest little cheeks! :] We think she's pretty perfect. 

And now it has been almost 3 weeks since that eventful day! It's hard to imagine our life without Brooklyn. Luckily I've even forgotten the misery of pregnancy! I didn't believe that was possible, but I guess that's what happens when you have round the clock feedings and diaper changes to worry about. :] Anyways, Brooklyn is doing great! She's growing and changing before our eyes. She already has Stephan wrapped around her little finger. He even made the comment the other day that he doesn't think it smells bad when she passes gas... I've smelled that gas -- and it's bad. She's my daughter so I can say that she can be pretty stinky! Just goes to show how love blinds you! :] 

Thank you everyone for all of your love and support. We really appreciate it, and can't wait for you to meet our little girl! But until then, here are some pictures for you to enjoy!! 
 On our way to the hospital. The end is here...thank goodness because I am about to pop! 

 She's here! 8 lbs 6 oz, 21 1/2 inches long! 

 Proud dad :]

After all of that work I finally get to hold her! She felt so heavy after holding 3 and 4 lb babies in the NICU! 

 Our happy little family


 She loves snoozing with dad. We got in trouble one night from a nurse for doing that though...You can imagine how Stephan responded to being told how to care for his daughter :] 

 Such a cuddler! 






Finally leaving the hospital!