Your First Bath

Dear Laney,

This is a picture of your dad giving you your first bath.

I can't believe you were able to fit into that little pink bucket.

Love,

Mom

Sitting Pretty

Dear Beautiful Girl,

One day, you'll probably hate me for letting other people see these photos.

But in the meantime, we think they're pretty funny.

Love,

Mom

The scariest, longest, HAPPIEST day ever!

Dear Laney,

We woke up on August 24th, and you still weren't here. Our wonderful midwife Jeanne came over and spent the day with us at Nate and Brynn's. We tried everything we could think of to convince you to come out, but you just didn't want to budge. I guess you were happy right where you were.

At 8pm, we decided that we needed to go to the hospital - maybe THEY could talk you into making your grand entrance. We met with Dr Braak, who told us that you might be bigger than we thought you were. We all started making guesses at how big you were going to be. Dr Braak guessed ten pounds. We had the nicest nurses you can imagine, and they helped your mom get ready for surgery. Your Aunt Brynn was there, and since she's a nurse, she got to come with us. We walked down to the operating room to get ready to bring you into the world.

Your dad came in and looked so handsome in his scrubs. He held my hand while I laid on the table. This wasn't at all how we thought your birth would be, but it didn't matter. All that we cared about was that you were safe and healthy and almost here!

But you STILL didn't want to come out. I heard Dr Braak say "Work with me, kid!" Then, at 10:41pm, she lifted you out of me and held you up for me to see. Your face was a little smushed up - you had had a VERY hard day, and you had a full head of VERY dark hair.

The nurses took you over to the scale to be weighed and I heard them say "Oh...my...GOD!" It turns out you were a little over 11 pounds. Then you started to cry and we knew you were going to be okay.

Your dad and I got to hold you for a little while, and I think we were both in shock - we couldn't believe that we were finally parents, and that we were going to be responsible for this little person. Your dad had tears in his eyes, and he just kept whispering "You're so awesome. You're so awesome."

We all slept together in the hospital room - our first night as a family.

Welcome to the world, Baby Girl!

Love,

Mom

August 23 - A Surprise on The Way...

Dear Laney,

Your grandfather Philip told me that he's always had a weird feeling about August 23rd, and every time that date would roll around on the calendar, he would get this sneaking suspicion that something should be happening.

On August 23, 2009, your dad and I went out to dinner at Outback Steakhouse with your Uncle Nate and Aunt Brynn. We were planning on having you at their house, with the help of a midwife. You were supposed to come on August 12th, but you were late, and we were starting to wonder if you were ever going to come out.

After dinner, we stopped by our midwife's office for another check-up, to see if you were any closer to making an appearance. Right there in her office, I went into labor. We drove over to Nate and Brynn's house, ecstatic that we were about to have a baby.

We watched some TV, and then I got on my pajamas and got into bed, but I couldn't sleep because I was so nervous and excited (and because I was having contractions).

But you decided you didn't want to be born on the 23rd, so we'll have to continue this story tomorrow...

Love,

Mom

How To Upset Your Grandmother

Dear Laney,

You were due to arrive on August 12th, but you were growing so fast that we all thought you'd be here any minute. So, Peg Peg and Tex came here on the first of August so they could be sure that they would be here for your birth.

And we all waited...and waited...and waited...but you just weren't ready to come out. We walked a lot every day, thinking that would hurry you up. One afternoon, we went to Macy's and the saleslady said "OOoh, you better not have that baby in here!" And your grandmother said "She can have that baby anywhere she wants! That's why you have housekeeping staff!"

Every time we would drive down the interstate, we would pass a billboard for Community Hospital with a big picture of a newborn baby. Finally, your grandmother said, "I'm so sick of looking at that baby. Where's OUR baby?"

Three weeks passed and your grandmother had no choice but to go home to Florida. She waited as long as she could, but I guess you just weren't ready. I understand that everything happens in its own time, but your grandmother will probably hold this over you forever.

Love,

Mom

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part

Dear Laney,

Welcome to Babywatch 2009.

Love,
Mom

Yay, Amy!

Dear Laney,

A big highlight from the summer was having my friend Amy come to visit from California. She stayed with us a few days, and we had a great time - we went down to the river, and your dad showed her how to skip rocks. We also learned that with your help, I have become too big to buckle my life jacket. Thanks a lot.

Love,

Mom