Welcome Cecilia Rose!

She's here and she is absolutely perfect! The Easter Bunny brought us more than baskets filled with jelly beans and treats this year... He brought us a beautiful and healthy baby girl! We are beyond excited to welcome her into our family. We are feeling overjoyed and very blessed today to say the least.

Weighing in at a whopping 9 pounds 2 ounces and measuring 20 1/4 inches long, Cecilia Rose was born on Easter Sunday at 1:40pm. Labor and delivery went so smoothly that it almost makes me want another one... I said almost.

I woke up this morning to get ready for Easter Sunday services at our friends' church. As I was brushing my teeth, I felt liquid trickle down my leg. Initially I thought I had peed myself but my instincts immediately kicked in when the trickle didn't stop as I walked to the toilet to check things out. I called downstairs to Ian and told him I think my water broke but I was going to take a shower before we headed to the hospital. I mean, I had to shave my legs, right? We also quickly gave Bella her Easter basket and after a "bye-bye mama!" from her, we were on our way.

When we arrived, they ran two tests to ensure my water had broken and checked my cervix. My water was indeed broken and I was 7cm dilated. I was admitted and all the fun stuff was started so that I could receive my epidural. Within an hour or two, my epidural was in and pitocin was started to really get things going. Before I knew it, I was 10cm dilated and ready to push. The OB suggested I take a couple of practice pushes and he'd return to access my progress. Apparently I am an excellent pusher because after a few practice pushes, the L&D nurse told me to stop because they needed to prepare the room for delivery. I pushed her out in less than 10 pushes and in less than 10 minutes.

We had immediate skin to skin contact which was AMAZING! I didn't have this with Bella due to complications for me and I enjoyed every second of it with Cecilia. We managed to perform delayed cord clamping, which helps newborns get extra nutrients. Labor and delivery went so smoothly and I could not have asked for anything more. I wasn't able to nurse immediately because Cecilia was so big and her glucose level needed to be checked. But she was a natural at nursing and latched on very quickly.

We are still on cloud nine from such a wonderful labor and delivery experience AND finally being able to meet Miss Cecilia Rose. She is such a strong and alert little girl, so I think we're in for a wild ride with this one. She is incredibly sweet, but feisty, too. She knows what she wants, but once she gets it, is happy as a lark. I'm pleased to report that I am feeling great and Cecilia is also doing quite well. It looks like we will be discharged tomorrow!

Welcome to the world, Cecilia Rose... we're so glad to have you as part of our family!

Love always,
Ian, Kim, Bella & Cecilia