Hello Virginia :)

You're here! Welcome to our world :) You're 10 days old now, and we have loved every minute since you're arrival. I want you to know everything about your first week, so I'll start at the beginning...

We got to the hospital around 1 p.m. and after filling out some paper work and getting hooked up to a monitor to watch your little heart rate, we headed in to the labor and delivery room. We had a room with a great view, and it was really nice outside, so we kept the windows open the entire time (I say this because windows would never be open in a labor room in Fort Worth in June!). I got an epidural, the broke my water and about five hours later you were in our arms. It was the easiest delivery. First time labors typically last for about 15-20 hours and you push for an average of 3-4 hours. So I feel very blessed that things progressed so quickly and you were apparently ready to come out, because I only had to push for about 45 minutes! So thank you for making things easy :)

The next 24 hours went by so quickly. We moved to a recovery room and tried to get some sleep. You needed to eat (or attempt to eat) every 3 hours, and we were way too anxious about you being here to get much sleep. Once the morning came around, the nurses brough you back to us and we got to hang out with you for the entire day. Since I was resting and focused on learning how to feed you, your dad focused on mastering the swaddle and changing diapers. He's still doing the majority of that, and I think you prefer his swaddling, because you always fuss with mine!

You were healthy and I was recovering on track, so we left the hospital Saturday morning. We were actually there for less than 24 hour, which is crazy. We drove you home across the Golden Gate bridge (which was terrifying for the first time), and your Honey was waiting for us with balloons and flowers.

Moving on to the first few days at home...you are such a good baby! The first few nights you slept for 3-4 hour stretches, ate within 30 minutes and went back down pretty easily. If you were fussy after you ate, your dad would sit up with you and calm you down while I went back to sleep. We've continued this routine, but you're getting up more frequently to eat (about every 2-2.5 hours)....you're always hungry! But this is a good thing. You're healthy and growing like you should and I know a lot of newborns struggle with eating and gaining weight.

You're so beautiful! You have the prettiest skin, a full head of hair and huge dark blue eyes. You're slowly starting to be awake for longer periods during the day, and we love it when your big eyes are exploring the room and us.

You've had lots of visitors since you arrived! Honey was here for the first two nights, and Aunt MM, Molly and dad were here all last week (they haven't settled on their grandparent names); and of course uncle JAT was here! Everyone loves you so much!

Here are some pictures from your first week....

 your daddy's master swaddle skills

 our first "real" morning with you (after your first day)

 

 coming home from the hospital!

 

 look at all of your hair!

 first pediatrician visit

 afternoon dance party

 

 this is our favorite picture of you! you're so alert and we can see your big blue eyes :)

 your first walk - Larkspur

 

 naptime

 

 dad can't wait to get you in the duck blind

 

 first breakfast outing

first time grilling

 

You have your newborn photo session tomorrow. Maybe you should let us all get some decent sleep tonight ;).



D-Day

Well, Ginny, today is supposedely the day we get to meet you.  I say supposedly only because we're checking into the hospital at 12:30 PM and it's very possible that you won't come within 11.5 hours of that time.  You may have noticed that you were referred to here as "Ginny"--that's right, your dad is writing this post.  And get used to that nickname because it's going to stick whether your mother likes it or not.  Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to marry you off to Harry Potter in the future.

I think we (your mother) are prepared for everything that could come up in the next 3-4 days. We have our bags in the car, your mom has of course packed some snacks, and we have our music playlist prepped which is appropriately titled "Labor Pains."  There is lots of Jimmy Buffett on this playlist, too, so I hope you like it.  Oh, and your Honey was able to catch a last minute flight and will likely beat us to the hospital!!  I don't quite know what to expect, but I cannot wait to meet you and hold you for the first time.  I am really just hoping that I don't pass out at any point today.

I think your mom is also surprised that I've shut down my work computer even though I could squeeze another 1-1.5 hours in before we leave for the hospital.  I want you to know that I have always said that I will stop working as hard as I do once I have children.  Well, that starts today.  Please help your mom to hold me to that promise because I do not intend to break it although I can let it get carried away at times.  Just slap me if you feel the need to put back in place.

Let's talk about Lola.  I'm pretty sure she is not completely up to speed on how her world is about to be rocked.  And I'm pretty sure she thinks everything we have done to your room was actually for her....we just expertly placed her bed in the middle of it all so that she can enjoy being surrounded by stuffed animals that at some point we will let her play with.  Also, she's very excited that we have a new bed for her new stuffed animals in the form of a crib.  In the long run, I think she will come around to you, but just don't take those "are you kidding me" stares that she will give you when you cry to heart.  She can really be sweet and a Diva all at the same time...just look at the pictures below.

 This was Tuesday night when we thought we would have you on Wednesday.  She and I were getting one last nap in before you came to the world to ruin our sleep cycles.

Your mom caught her in this photo in her room before it became your room.

Ok, time for me to sign off and get ourselves together for the trip to the hospital.  We cannot wait to meet you and are looking forward to starting our family with you...and Lola.  We will be back soon to update you post-birth.

Love
Mom and Dad

Are You There, Virginia? It's Me...Your Mom

Dear Virginia,

You must be cozy where you are, because you still have not made your debut :) I am so thankful that you have been a breeze to carry around the past nine months. But your dad and I are so anxious to meet you that we can't stand waiting around much longer. Do you think you'll be coming out soon???

Your movements are so constant and precise that we know exactly where you are and what you're doing. We mostly just feel your little legs and feet poking around since you are officially out of room to move much of anything else. We get the biggest kick out of your movements lately because we can feel them and see them.

We can't wait to meet you and hold you! We talk about whose features you will get and what personality traits you'll inherit from each of us. We celebrated your dad's first father's day yesterday. Everyone just knew you were going to be a Father's Day baby, but you decided to hold out! We had a great time celebrating you and your dad anyway though. He is going to take such good care of you, and already loves you to the moon and back.

Here are a few pictures of your dad for you...

 celebrating his first Father's Day...isn't he cute???

 

 hard at work making your nursery perfect :)

 

 practicing swaddling for you

 

and he knows how to have fun!

 

Hopefully we will see you soon. Love, Mom.



Dear Virginia

We are anxiously awaiting your arrival! My body is progressing for labor and delivery with each doctor's visit, but you are not acting like you want to go anywhere :) I think you've stretched out my stomach to its capacity because your movements are getting a little painful! It's fun for your dad and I to know that you're "head down" because now we know that these little pokes and jabs are your feet.

We are officially prepared for your arrival. We have your clothes, diapers, bathing supplies and as of this weekend, your nursery is completely finished. We are so excited to read your books with you, hold you and play with you in the little play area we created in your nursery. We think Lola is even excited about you coming home!

So now if you could please hurry up and get here, we would appreciate it. Because we can't wait to meet you.