October 12, 2012 at 11:11 am...Aleah made her grand entrance to the world and melted our hearts immediately. She was born 7 pounds 1 ounce and 21 inches long. Everything went well with the c-section, minus my blood pressure dropping very low. The doctor told us she was out (and peeing as she came out..haha) and then we heard some suction and her first cry....we looked at each other and just melted. They lifted her above the sheet and I got to see my baby girl for the first time. It was a moment that I will never forget. Jason was by her side immediately as they cleaned her up and took all her vitals and measurements. As soon as he could he brought her over to me. I was so glad that Jason got those first moments of bonding time with her...it was amazing to watch him talk to her and sooth her. He was a natural from the moment she was in his arms...it was amazing to watch as I lay there getting stitched up.
Once I was all put back together they moved us to recovery and I got to really get a good look at our baby girl. She was exactly what I had prayed for...beautiful and perfect in every way. We were able to bond skin to skin and have almost a full hour of family time just the three of us. Aleah must have already felt very comfortable because she pooped on me in recovery, and since I was numb I didn't even feel it till they lifted her off to move us to our room. Jason thought it was just hilarious!!! Ha!
We are so thankful for our healthy Baby girl! Everything went perfect and we couldn't be happier! We thank God daily for our little bundle of Joy.
COMING HOME...
The first week home was so amazing and such a wonderful bonding time for the three of us. Jason and I were in awe by Aleah and we would just sit and stare at her. Words cannot even explain the emotions we felt for her and each other. Jason has been so helpful since we have been home helping with laundry, cleaning, and making sure we both have everything we need.
I wish I could say that the last four weeks have been easy....but I would be lying. We have had a few bumps...first one being that Aleah continued to lose weight, so we found out she was not latching on good to me and now I am having to pump and bottle feed her. Thankfully I have increased my milk supply so I only had to supplement with formula for a week. She has never learned to latch on correctly so it looks like I will be pumping and bottle feeding from here on out. I am just happy that she is getting breast milk either way. The second week home, I caught a nasty cold..which I then gave to her :( Poor thing. I also got Mastitis. If anyone has ever had that, they know how miserable it is. I had a temperature of 101.6, terrible body aches, chills and a splitting headache. It was horrible. As a Mom, it never matters if we are sick...the show must go on. The first few weeks she was getting up every two hours, but we have gotten into a routine now and she is up to four hours at night. Which is HEAVEN to me! Gone are the days when I sleep in or get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. (which is expected with a newborn)
This picture was taken a week after she was born. Can you tell we are proud? Ha! I have recovered amazingly well. It was not at all as painful as I thought it would be and I have been able to get around really well!
Through all the sleepless nights...I have to say that when I am dead tired, my hormones are all messed up and trying to adjust to this new normal...this face makes it all worth it.
People have always said that having a baby can cause stress and strain on a marriage, but I have to say that the opposite is true for Jason and I. It truly has brought us closer together in a new way. We are such a good team and I couldn't ask for a better husband and father. He is so amazing with her. When I struggle to get her to sleep sometimes at night, he has the magic touch that knocks her out. He puts her on his chest and she snuggles up to him and she is lights out in minutes.She obviously knows how safe she is in Daddy's arms...and I can honestly say that Jason has become a new person.
Jason said to me recently how after a stressful day at work all he has to do is pick her up and look at her cute face...and the stress just melts away. I have to say...I don't have an ounce of jealousy for the new love in his life :) haha.It makes me love him even more and I didn't know that was possible.
Such a proud Daddy
As for me...being a Mom is one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to me. I can't tell Aleah enough how much I love her. I constantly stare at her in awe and wonder at the gift that God has blessed us with. It has put so many things into perspective. Things that I once thought were important no longer matter...and neither Jason and I can imagine what life was like without her in it. She is the perfect addition to us...and I could not be happier with the new love in our lives and the new love and appreciation that we now have for each other as well.
As I said in my last blog...I know that Aleah will teach us so much about life, each other, and what is
important...and she hasn't even taken her first breath yet....
I can honestly say that her first breath changed us forever and she HAS taught us so much already in her four short weeks of life.
Aleah Marie Arnett...we are so proud of you and all the joy that you bring to us everyday.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made...a child of God...
A princess in his kingdom and ours...we love you!
