Happy 1 Week Birthday Sarah Beth!

Well, we made it through going home day and our first nights 'unsupervised' with baby Sarah Beth.

It's been a long week! Started on Thursday after a visit to our doctor revealed low amniotic fluid levels on the ultrasound. She had us check into the hospital Thursday night to start inducing labor. I spent a long uncomfortable night there and started a pitocin drip at 6am Friday. After all day tethered to IVs and fetal monitors and blood pressure cuffs on a diet of nothing but clear liquids, it was determined that nothing was happening to move labor along. I got a quick 'real' meal and then it was night #2 in the hospital. This time, we were awoken at 3am by a flurry of nurses because the fetal heart rate had dipped and I had to shift positions, get on oxygen and IV fluids. Talk about scary. The next morning our doctor decided that she'd have to 'go in and get her' so within 20 minutes we were prepped for a c-section and had our baby in our arms at 10:26 Saturday morning and our lives are changed forever.

She is the most beautiful baby we've ever seen. All pink cheeks and blonde hair and snuggly 21 inches of her. It's amazing how this little baby has transformed our lives instantaneously. She is all the matters. I look at Kurt with a whole new kind of love now. Watching him care for our little one makes my heart ache with happiness. We are in love with her. : )

The first days home have gone better than we expected for 2 nervous first time parents. It's been tough recuperating from major surgery while caring for a newborn, especially when you want to hold her and love on her nonstop. My mom has been here to help us settle in which has been a big help. Miss Sarah Beth loves nursing. I mean L-O-V-E-S nursing. She gained 7 oz in 2 days home from the hospital. The pediatrician said she thinks that's a record. Our girl is a healthy baby in addition to healthy eater. Kurt is taking excellent care of his girls. He is in charge of sponge baths and most 'output' while I, Mommy, am in charge of 'input.'

We've had several new adventures. A trip to the pediatrician which, as I mentioned above, went very well. She doesn't seem to mind the car seat and I think she appreciates the new car we bought for her. She looked very cute for her first outing. See below:

We tried the swing - she seems to like that too.

The dogs haven't quite figured out what to make of her. Moose has figured out that baby is somehow a part of his Momma and he should guard her. He gets up for all the feedings and sits on the couch with me. When she cries he gets upset and sticks his nose through the crib slats. I think he will be her great protector. Savannah at first was in denial and completely ignored the baby, but she seems to be coming around now that she realizes baby is not going away. Here's the great protector below resting his head on the boppy, and curious Savannah below:

We've been lucky that Sarah Beth sleeps pretty well through the night so far (I shouldn't have said that out loud.) She's let us sleep for good 4 hr stretches at a time which has been fantastic. I know that will change but we're enjoying the rest right now. I certainly need it. C-Sections are no joke. Percocet helps but have a baby on your lap all day after abdominal surgery is cruel irony. Not that I'm complaining. I'd do it a thousand times over to bring this little angel into the world. She is our heart.