Welcome to the World Delaney Rae!

Our last photo as a family of 4 - on the way to the hospital.

Our first date!

Welcome to the world Delaney Rae Lewman.  Delaney joined us Sunday, March 1^st at 8:02pm.  She weighed in at 7 lbs. 7 oz and 20 ½ inches in height; without heels.  She had more hair at birth than Emmy had at 7 months old.  They placed her directly on my chest and the feeling this time was similar yet completely different.  With Emmy I was anxious and scared and it was like my world stopped in shock.  When Delaney was born it was more about curiosity and excitement to meet her – my world was finally complete.  I was ready to just start taking care of her.  I just wanted to hold her and make sure she was safe.  Here’s how my last baby was born. 

Delaney at about 20 hours old.

Delaney was due March 15^th and I knew from about Week 6 that she would be early like Emmy.  I had preeclampsia with Emmy and was REALLY hoping it wouldn’t return but alas – on February 27^th I was officially diagnosed with preeclampsia hence being induced at 38 weeks. It was nearly the exact same delivery; even time frames were in sync.  I will spare you the gory details but to be honest, it was a really easy and enjoyable experience.  I didn’t get my doctor this time but the on call doctor was amazing and very knowledgeable.  I really enjoyed Columbia Women’s Health if anyone is looking for a new OB.  (Interesting tid-bit: Emmy was due leap day 2/29.  If she were born on that day, we would have celebrated her birthday on 3/1 the other 3 years - crazy that's Delaney's birthday!) We were there two glorious days where nurses waited on me hand and foot while poking said hand and foot with needles and blood pressure cuffs and such.  But still – it was nice to have those first two days to get acquainted with my little love.  Then we went home…

Hayden and his littlest sister!

The first time Emmy held her sister!

Sisters.

The last month has been {if I am being honest} the most trying month of my life.  Having a newborn the second time around is SO much easier…that is if you didn’t actually have a 3 year old also.  Emmy has been a dream with Delaney.  She loves her so much and sports big sister shirts, kisses her all day, wants to hold her and calls her “boo”.  I love how she wants to be around her all the time and is never irritated of her existence (yet).  However, she is really exploring her ability to vocalize her opinions (I am being generous with that statement).  She is having a hard time when she doesn’t get her way or just listening in general.  It seems like every thing she touches she isn’t supposed to so it’s been hard to continuously tell her “no, don’t touch that, please walk away, that isn’t a toy, put that back, do not put that in your mouth, no – you can’t have that, please let me back in the house”. I try to deflect and redirect but it’s a battle for sure.  Then she has her sweet moments where you can see that just wants us to hold her and snuggle her and give her undivided attention – so we do.  It’s definitely a phase that I am hoping gets easier as they both get older but right now, I am just hanging on for dear life.  I will never get this opportunity again to be home with them so I remind myself daily that this was my choice and I am getting to share this amazing time with them. 

I cannot even begin to express the heartfelt gratitude we feel from everyone’s support.  It has been unreal – even 5 weeks later people are STILL bringing food over, asking to bring me coffee and Emmy and I are still getting gifts!  This undoubtedly was the best experience for me and I am just so thrilled that she is here with us now.  Every day I really sit and feel grateful that I have my family and we are about to embark on such a fun and loving life together.  Ahh, the dreams I have for my girls.

Happy 1 Month Delaney!

Until next month– please enjoy this slideshow from the last month.