She's HERE!!!!!!! Our little angel, our perfect little miracle arrived on Thursday, October 1st at 7:16pm. She weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces, measured 20.5 inches long, and came with a head full of dark hair and dark blue eyes. She is truly a gift from God and we love her so! We decided to name her Annie Thelma Chlarson. We were pretty sure we wanted to name her Annie for a while but wanted to wait until we saw her in person-- to make sure she didn't have red hair as well. (Though I'm sure she'll hear "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" a few times in her life regardless...) We both loved the name Annie and I especially love that Annie means prayer. I can't think of a bigger answer to many heartfelt, tearful prayers than to have her join our family and be a healthy baby! Every day I look at her, hold her in my arms, and am reminded that God truly does answer our prayers, in His timing and in His own perfect way.
Her middle name, Thelma, is after her Great Grandma (my Dad's mom): Thelma Farnsworth Priday. Grandma was the last of my four grandparents to pass away, in November of 2011. I have always looked up to her and love her so much. I felt that she was particularly close to me this past January and felt a huge outpouring of hope and peace that everything was going to be okay. Just a few weeks later, we found out we were indeed pregnant for the 3rd time and this time, things clicked and this beautiful, healthy baby girl came our way! To honor my Grandma and her legacy of faith, kindness, and true goodness, we decided to name our little girl after her. Annie is also the first granddaughter or great granddaughter to be named after her Grandma Thelma! Pretty neat I think!
I want to record a little bit of Annie's birth story and how we were so blessed to get this little one here safe and sound!
My official due date was Sunday, September 27th and truly NOTHING and I mean NOTHING was going on to get this baby here naturally. I had heard all these stories about women going into labor 6 weeks early so I had been prepared for the last 2 months. When nothing happened, I was about to loose my mind waiting around for my water to break or the contractions to start! I didn't really want to get induced but by my due date, I was beyond ready to get this show on the road- whatever pain and discomfort that was going to bring! At my doctor's appointment on Monday, my fantastic doctor checked the amniotic fluid and it was pretty low so he scheduled me to be induced on Tuesday or Wednesday.
We were on the waiting list but finally got in on Wednesday, September 30th. I was given a natural hormone induction (i.e. not pitocin) that lasts overnight and it worked like a charm. I was allowed to eat until midnight so I begged Brandon to go get me some ice cream as my last treat before fasting and pushing out a baby the next day. Sadly Coldstone was already closed but he got me both a shake and hot fudge sundae from McDonalds and I was a happy camper! Last picture pregnant! I look ginormous and good reason too- Baby Girl was a pound bigger than they expected!
After a very unrestful night, things were definitely going strong but the pain was pretty manageable. My doctor broke my water around 7:00am and then the party really started! Classic, atrocious, insanely painful contractions like you see in the movies. Even though I was dying to get an epidural, you have to wait for a whole bag of fluids and the anesthesiologist to come so two horrific hours later, I finally got the epidural and was MUCH, MUCH happier! Seriously bless whoever invited the epidural! Give that man a nobel peace prize! It is magical!
We had wonderful nurses at INOVA Fairfax who took such good care of me and Annie! I loved this first birthday greeting on our board in our room!
After hanging out and waiting for things to progress, we were finally ready to push around 5:00pm. Two hours later, Annie arrived!
She was taken away to be checked fairly quickly while I got stitched up but I was aching to hold her!! Brandon took photos while they cleaned her up and checked everything.
She was showing off her lungs for sure!
Her face was so puffy right after delivery!
My first time holding her! Words can't even describe.....
Annie checked out and was completely healthy in every way! Again, a miracle and complete answer to prayer!! We were especially blessed to have a wonderful and beyond amazing OBGYN care for me during my pregnancy and deliver Annie. I cannot sing his praises enough! I feel SO lucky to have had his phenomenal care. Yet another answer to prayer!
Brandon is pretty much the cutest Dad ever.
She's pretty smitten with her Dad I think too.
Meeting her Grandma!
So perfect in every way!
Annie's First Bath:
I'm not sure she liked it all, what do you think?
My sister Alison was super kind and made me this little bunting banner for Annie's basinet at the hospital. It was so darling and all the nurses complimented Annie on her cute first digs! :)
My parents sent flowers and this cute balloon to welcome little Annie to the family!
The first day of being a mom was a very, very emotional and wonderful day! Holding my little girl was and is pretty much the best thing ever in the entire world.
First family photo! A little blurry but filled with so much joy!
Our little family of three!
We were anxious to leave the hospital Friday night but had to stay until Saturday morning. I had picked out her coming home outfit months earlier and had expected it to be a warm September day (hence the cute pineapple dress!) Little did I know Hurricane Joaquin would descend right as this little angel was born so we had to bundle up Annie with lots of blankets on our way home. It was very rainy!
It was so fun to dress her for the first time! So tiny! I love her hands up in the air like she's about to go on a roller coaster. :)
All ready to go! We had great care at the hospital, but there's just no place like home! Leaving the hospital, I just bawled and bawled- not because we were leaving or because of fear, but just in complete awe and gratitude that this was real life! This perfect baby girl was mine and was healthy and safe! So surreal to come to the hospital giant and very pregnant and leave with my angel daughter in tow!
My dear mother was so cute and decorated our apartment with signs and balloons welcoming Baby Annie to her first home!
It was so homey and welcoming after spending 3 nights in the hospital!
We adore this little girl more than we could ever express! It's such a miracle and joy to be her parents!
