Her arrival was amazing! Perfect! I wouldn't change one thing about her birthday and I'm so grateful! It was a wonderful grand finale to this chapter in our lives. It was raw and real and oh so beautiful. We waited and dreamed and watched this little baby grow from scratch carefully knit together by God and then embark on a beautiful journey earth side and in that moment, when baby has finally emerged, you hear "it's a girl!". I really don't know what we expected to hear, but in that moment it was as if we had always known and it was extremely overwhelming! 40 weeks and 6 hours of labor waiting to meet this angel face! She had a face, a name, a beautiful polite cry. She is an angel! Finally seeing her was not the only beauty of that day, but the partnership, the incredible job my body had just accomplished, the beauty in the moment you finally know and see the little person who completes your family. It's all still so vivid and amazing! I hope we never forget!
I really tried this pregnancy to have a good mindset and prepare my body for what it needed to accomplish. I used many affirmations and mantras throughout this 40 weeks to build confidence and trust that God knows exactly what he is doing and we just have to trust that. I paid more attention to diet and exercise and made more preparations through specific exercises, mental preparation, and drinking raspberry tea etc. to prepare for her birthday. I have no idea if these things actually helped make this such a delightful experience but I'd like to think so! 😉I can honestly say it was the most amazing experience growing and birthing this beauty! ❤️
My partner in this life is amazing. I couldn't have made it through one moment without him. I have no idea how I got so blessed! The kids are over the moon excited and totally in love! This little lady had turned big brother soft, big time! Big sister is so happy and in love and can't wait to have her in her room! 😊 and little brother says "she is so so so beautiful!" And I'm pretty sure they will be close as they grow!
The hospital stay was a little more than we prepared for, she had a hard first night! I'd like to think it was because she was too sweet to cry when she was first born and there was a lot of "stuff" left to clean out of her lungs and tummy. She has since been doing beautifully, but will be on a monitor at night for a couple months just to see all is well. And I'm confident God has His hand right here on her helping her grow strong and protecting her each and every moment, just as He is for our big kids.
The postpartum transition is so far pretty good! Emotions come and go (mostly come! ha) and is expected...we are slowly recovering and regaining energy and wholeness. Once again, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't survive one moment without my person! He's been such a amazing support! He's totally taken over the big kids and helping them transition. He's doing all the errand running and taking the kids where they need to be. Seriously, blessed! I personally can't wait to feel comfortable and confident enough to come and go again! A little ready to get out of the house, but it won't be long! He's just today headed back to work and I'm confident we will slowly find a good rhythm and routine. 😊
So, our family is complete! She's an angel and we are so so in love! Analeigh Grayce Powell, our precious beauty was born on December 1, 2016 at 3:05! She came into the world at 8 pounds 13 ounces and 21.5 inches long and so perfect! ❤️
Their faces when Daddy told them it was a girl baby! :)
Filled with wonder!
In Papa's hands <3
First love from Nina, Rosey, and Uncle David :)
I'm going to need a second heart for all this love!
