Thursday, February 13, 2014

Family Addition

*** I'm back! ***

We have been blessed.

God has blessed our family with a beautiful baby girl. Caroline is here and is 3 weeks old as of today (gosh, I can't believe it's already been 3 weeks).

Coming into this world on January 23rd, 2014 at 7 pounds and 2 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long, this little girl has changed our world. She entered with a head full of dark brown hair and gray eyes. In the light, they look blue- so our hypothesis is that when her eyes are done developing, she will have her daddy's eyes, pretty & blue.
Her day of birth was one of the best days of my life. I remember it all so clearly. (Labor story coming in the near future.) It's true what they say.. You know no love like the love for your child.
She's everything I could've hoped for and so much more. She's absolutely gorgeous and has such a personality already. Her facial expressions and the way she grips on to my fingers melts my heart. The way she falls asleep on her daddy's chest and the way she looks at Ace, touch my heart like nothing I've ever felt before.
I have been blessed with the gift of motherhood. This little girl is changing the way I look at things and think about things. Who would have thought something so small could make such a large difference? I had been told, obviously, but experiencing it first hand makes you really understand what was meant.
That book that was my life before Caroline has been written, it's finished. This is a whole new book, not just a new chapter. I feel like real life has started and I'm so excited for everything we get to venture into.

I have a wonderful husband, who has done nothing but amaze me more and more everyday. I couldn't have handmade & created a better father to raise children with. He is spectacular with Caroline and teaches me things everyday. You see, when entering into parenthood, I was the one with little to no experience. I was never around children, let alone babies, while growing up. I had never changed a diaper before Caroline and hadn't even held a baby for longer than probably 10 minutes. Joseph on the other hand is the oldest of all his cousins, meaning he was baby sat and helped out all throughout his life. So thankful for my husband.
Another thing I am thankful for is all the help we have received from our family. Our parents came down for the birth of their Granddaughter. It was nice having everyone at the hospital with us. It helped to take my mind off of the discomfort I was in and it also allowed for us to sleep a little bit. And Caroline got to mingle with some of the most important people in her life so early after her arrival. Thank you to the Turner's, Robb's & Perry's.

After the birth, my mom was down here for a week after (which was a huge help!). I don't know what I would have done without her there with me. The cooking and cleaning and errands she helped me with were just what I needed. She helped me get acclimated with our new addition without falling behind on the rest of my responsibilities. Thank you, mom.
Adjusting to this new lifestyle has been fairly easy (who would've ever thought that). Dealing with my recovery has probably been the worst part of it. It time that will change though. (3 weeks down, "3" to go!)

Caroline had jaundice in the very beginning. We had to go back to the pediatrics unit of the hospital after we got home to stay 24 hours with her under "the light." Poor thing. She wasn't eating enough and she wasn't using the bathroom which equals a super fussy baby. Luckily, our little trooper kicked it quickly and seems to be back on the right track. Her color is fantastic, she is eating and disposing just like she should be (which equals two very happy parents). No more fussiness :)
I am so pleased with the happy, extremely easy baby that we have. She is so good. She sleeps the majority of the night even (as long as she is laying in the bed between Joseph & me). Which is completely fine with me, as long as she sleeps. Right after bringing her home, Caroline's schedule was a little backwards. She wanted to sleep all day and be awake all night.. which is not good for my working husband and for a recovering, exhausted new mommy. We're much more pleased now that we have fixed that. Like I said, she is super easy. And so good. We have taken her on errands during the day and had her in meetings with us that have lasted 2-3 hours at a time and she has been quiet and super adorable the whole time. I'm so in love with this child.
Let me brag on my other child for a minute. I am so impressed and proud of our four legged child, Ace. He has become a different dog since bringing Caroline home. He was very curious about her from the beginning. At first, if Caroline would cry, Ace would run into the other room or to Joseph or me. Now, when she cries or squirms with sounds, Ace runs to her and checks on her. He's so sweet to her. He checks on her and lays with her during tummy time. He is constantly watching her. While Caroline swings, he is right there next to it, basically the whole time. I couldn't be a more proud of my boy. He's such a good big bro already. I look forward to watching them together as she grows.
Since I'm getting back in the swing of things and working on developing a routine, I expect to be writing a little more on this blog. Like I said, I expect..... so I'll try my best!

A Letter To My Love Bug

Written November 15th, 2013.

Dear Caroline,

The day we found out we were having you, before we knew you were you, I knew that there was so much excitement that was getting ready to take place. We were thrilled and nervous at the thought of being new parents but we knew we had so much to look forward to.
 
Over the months and through the doctors appointments, every week we got closer and closer.
 
When we found out you were a little girl, our hearts filled with even more joy. People had always asked us if we thought we were having a boy or a girl. Mommy knew. In my dreams I saw pink plus signs and had dreams of a little girl in my life in the future. It was you.
 
We were warmed with the thought of a little girl as our first child. You already had your name.. Caroline Ann.
 
When you started kicking is when I started feeling my connection with you. Not just the little taps, but the larger movements you made that could be seen across my belly. I felt closer to you when I felt like you could actually understand and hear me when I would talk to you. The joy I felt when you would play. You would tap/kick when Ace would lay his head on you and you would wiggle a whole bunch when we would shine the flashlight on mommy's stomach. It was incredible to watch.
 
I've enjoyed and always looked forward to seeing you in our ultrasounds. You were always a delight to watch. You were always moving. Whether you were reaching with your hands and playing with your feet or if you were bouncing you legs, my eyes were glued to the monitor. You were adorable, even just in a black and white screen.
 
My favorite ultrasound was when I was 27 weeks pregnant with you, just under 7 months. Laying there watching you playing with your feet, I remember the screen being flipped to a different angle and I could see your face. I saw your beautiful lips and I could see you blink. You stopped your bouncing and you gave a big yawn right in front of the camera. It was the sweetest thing I had seen so far. I won't lie, I cried. Watching you move your lips and slowly work on falling asleep was precious. I enjoyed every second.
 
Ever since finding out about you, I've longed for January to come as soon as possible. I'm so ready to meet you and to find out who you are and who you look like. I have so many curiosities about you. Who will you take after? Who or what will your personality reflect? Will you really recognize our voices? I have so many hopes for you little one.
 
I hope you have your father's eyes and my dark features.
 
I hope you find smiling as contagious as your father and I do and I hope you laugh all the time.
 
I already know you are strong because of the things you've gone through, but I hope you always recognize your strength.
 
I hope you believe and have endless faith.
 
I hope you're never afraid to follow what you know is right.
 
I hope you find your place in this world that has been made especially for you.
 
I hope you're never afraid to go after your dreams.
 
I hope you always know how much we already love you and how our love will grow for you every day.
 
I hope family means as much to you as it does to us.
 
I can't wait to meet you, to hold you in my arms and have you look at me. I can't wait for all the adventures we will go through together. I love you now and I'll love you no matter what for the rest of your life. I hope you always know that.

Until we meet,
Your loving mommy.