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Sunday, May 4, 2014

Welcome, Baby Eleanor!

Just in case any of you were wondering, we did finally have a baby.  It didn't work exactly according to plan, but we still had a baby all the same.  I did end up having to call in plan B (thank you, Aunt Kathleen!) because I actually went into labor all by myself.  Unfortunately, it was before Brandon's mother came into town, so my wonderful aunt got to make a very early morning drive from Maryland to Falls Church to come and watch the children for five or six hours.

Despite getting things started a little earlier than the plan called for, I still had to have a little help from my good friend, pitocin, before Eleanor decided to show up around five.  And then she had a little help from the vacuum extractor and a L&D nurse jumping on my abdomen to loose a stuck shoulder.  Not exactly what I was expecting from a fifth delivery (what happened to having them walk out themselves?), but as in all good stories, all's well that ends well.  I have decided that having 8 pound, 2 oz babies is maybe a little too much of a good thing for me.


We came home yesterday to great excitement and Eleanor was immediately mobbed by all of her siblings.


Edwin gave her a truck to play with, Joseph covered her with his blanket, and Kathleen and Sophia finally settled on taking turns holding her individually and then sharing her.  Eleanor was non-plussed.


I think that if she survives the love and attention, Eleanor will be a much-adored baby.


I don't think I'm going to make my fortune being a baby photographer.


So far Eleanor has been exhibiting very typical baby behavior, waking up every half hour last night and making sure that Brandon and I can revel in the full glory of newborn-induced sleep deprivation.


But thankfully I've done this four times before and have a very vague memory that eventually I will get a full night's sleep again, even if I'm not sure when that will happen.


But until then, I'll just enjoy having a healthy, normal, lovely baby girl for everyone to love and adore.  I guess I can't complain.




13 comments:

Mary Pugh said...

YEAH!!!! I've been watching for this post! Sounds like quite the eventful delivery but so glad to hear you are home and doing well (minus the sleep) and have a BEAUTIFUL healthy baby girl! What wonderful news! Congratulations.

Melodie said...

Congratulations on your sweet baby girl! We are so happy for you guys. Luckily, with the cuteness of the kids you and Brandon produce, you don't actually need much skill behind the camera for your pictures to come out looking great!

S said...

She's so cute!!!!!

PaulaJean said...

Thanks for the pictures. I wish I could be there. . .

UnkaDave said...

Thanks for the great pictures! I think you're doing just fine as a baby photographer. Tell Kathleen that dentures may be the answer.
Dad

Nancy said...

Congratulations! She's beautiful—and you look like you were at a spa rather than, you know, pushing out an 8 lbs. 2 oz. baby. Look at how radiant you are!

Wonderful story. I, for one, have never had a birth go as planned. I like to think that eventually I'll have one come when I want it to come and it will be all peaceful and serene. But, uh, so far I'm 3/3 of that NOT happening. It's almost like I'm not in control here or something...

Anyway, congratulations! Have so much fun with that sleep deprivation thing. :) Perhaps we'll get to meet up if we make it up to DC before you leave.

sarahflib said...

Congratulations! She is BEAUTIFUL! Kind of fun you got to experience going into labor. Have fun with the craziness and your sweet little baby.

Bridget said...

Congratulations! Lovely baby and lovely mama. Well done.

O Boys Mommy said...

Congrats on your healthy baby girl! Glad you are doing well!

MacLeans said...

So very excited for you! She is precious! Enjoy the nights without sleep... I'm looking forward to sleep again myself. Someday...

Tammy and Alvin said...

Hooray! Congratulations! We hope we get to meet the littlest one and the rest of the family some time.

Nomads By Nature said...

Congratulations!! What wonderful news!

Anonymous said...

congratulations! how exciting! this means you'll bring this baby to the next FS bloggers dinner, right?