Welcome to the world, Lucy Hannah

Yes, she did...

She flipped again and so on 11-25-11 at 10:30 AM, Jason and I were given the greatest blessing in all our lives when Lucy Hannah was brought into them. The C-Section went well, though Lucy may not have been ready to come out. "She's a stubborn one!" said Doctor Sibul, referring to the fact that he had to cut my uterus way more than anticipated because Lady Lucy wouldn't come out! "She's perfect," said the nurse, "though she does have a a growth on her ear." "You mean like this?" I asked. She has a perfect Norman on her right ear, just like mom. Much of that 2 hour period is a blur, though laying eyes on my baby girl for the first time is a memory clear as day. Instantly, I knew she was a beauty.

She's got some of mom and lots of dad. With a gorgeous black mane, button nose, and flawless skin so soft you never want to let go, Jason and I have been unable to take our eyes off of her. "You are just so beautiful," Jason has said about 35 times this week.

A week of both tears of joy and otherwise, the first week was a rough one. Lucy did not want to eat and spent it in the NICU. That being said, our small family of four quickly recognized the power that someone or something is playing a hand in Lucy's life - a power greater than ourselves. During Lucy's first week, we learned that she has a VSD in her heart. Through a series of blessings, this was detected and Lucy has been in the care of some of the greatest heart doctors in the entire world. The four of us, along with grandparents and friends, rest assured knowing that Lucy will not only play volleyball and run marathons, but also never remember the surgery that lays ahead.

Here are just SOME highlights from the week...

 Eskimo Kisses for Luce!

Dad is in LOVE!!

Lucy's first bear (from Grandma Sher and Grandpa Bruce). It is a Gund Bear, just like Elizabeth!

A great shot of Lucy's adorable back!

NORMAN JUNIOR!

Leaving the hospital all together was perhaps the most exhilarating and fantastic feeling we've ever had. Coming home with Grandpa Bruce (Chicago) and being welcomed by Grandma Sher made the first hour a lot easier!

Did She or Didn't She?

I feel like she is back to her old tricks. Tomorrow I'll find out if my daughter has turned AGAIN!! If so, C Section is ON for Friday at 9:30 AM.

Oy vey. What a funny one.

Tick Tock...

As we await Baby's arrival, we're finishing up last minute "to-dos" on our list. What would this baby do without her Dad and Aunt Jamie?

This is Dad doing BabyBohrer's first load of laundry.

 Aunt Jamie completes and organizes the registry!

Baby rests up for her big debut :)

Just Joking, Mom and Dad!

Two Saturdays ago, I sat at the kitchen table experiencing difficulty breathing. I thought the baby had moved and big time, but I never thought she flipped.

But she did. So for a week, Jason and I (and everyone who loves us) has been planning on a scheduled C-Section to happen as soon as three days from now. Plane tickets and trips were planned. Bags were packed. The countdown was well on its way.

A couple days ago, I thought I had felt her ago while on the elevator at work. The same sort of sensation. A major wave that took my breath away. However, given the odds of TWO turns past term, I assumed it was just in my head.

But it wasn't. She flipped AGAIN! Plane tickets have been cancelled. And now, she'll arrive the old fashion way. Ouch?

I better be careful what I wish for. I have continued to pray for a daughter with a mind of her own, who does things in her time and as she wants to. My prayers, it would seem, have been answered!

And now...we wait...:)

No words -

I can’t really put into words what I am feeling right, but I figured I should try to capture even the slightest drop of my reality given I will never be on the verge of being a mother for the first time again. For the sake of getting it out – here is what I am going through:

The end of a long period of intense feelings of fear and the beginning of a calmness I’ve never known before – one that is ready for anything. Non-stop emerging tears of happiness. Endless daydreaming and questions. The deepest appreciation for Jason and the husband he is/father I have no doubt he will be. A new perspective on Adam – our family of three is all ready for number four. A sense that decisions are going to be made quite differently based on our number one priority. Insane excitement for learning her personality. Endless questions about what she will look like – will she have black hair? Long lashes? A norman on her ear? A shift in my life goals and outlook. Nervousness for what I cannot control. Acceptance for what I cannot control. Sadness that my family is far. Determination that baby will know everyone in Ohio and on the east just as well as loved ones in Chicago. Questions about who the nanny will be/will he or she be good enough? Curiosity about how exhausted I will be. Shock that this is really happening. An understanding that this is quite the miracle and I am so blessed that I am living it.

I didn’t even scratch the surface.

37 Weeks! (Ahhh!)

This week, we reached the “full term” mark. Should the baby be born today, she should be able to function outside of the womb on her own. This is huge. I’ve been awaiting this date since week 5 (yep, that’s how early I tested positive) and now can breathe a sigh of relief.

Jamie says the longer she’s inside, the better she will sleep. I say the sooner she is out, the quicker I will get my skin and body back. I think we’re both right. (Apparently when having a girl, acne is even worse. Who knew? I mean, seriously though, this skin is out of control...all worth it, all worth it.)

Meanwhile, I have cancelled Thanksgiving in the burbs. Instead, we'll dine with our parents on Ashland where we are just three miles away from Prentice. I feel a lot better about it and cannot wait!! We'll also be able to have an intimate birthday celebration for the best husband in the world.