Darla Jean Peery

So we made it....Darla is here, finally!!! I am so pleased to be past that moment in time. Our scheduled C section went as expected and pretty smoothly. We were in the hospital by 5:40am; prepped for surgery and being wheeled into the OR by 7:20am. Our little girl was born at 7:56am, weighing in at 8 lbs 2 oz and 18 inches long. She was a little heavier and a little shorter than her big brother's birth stats. However, when looking into that little face, it was like seeing Derick's scowl and squished face all over again. We spent the rest of the day visiting with family and watching our little girl. The only tough part was seeing her struggle with the amniotic fluid in her lungs. It was really hard for me to hear her choking and gaging so much. I was already worried about that aspect. But after the first 12 hours, she got it all out and things settled down for me. I don't sleep well in hospitals, and this time it was no different than with Derick. The only time we got rest was when Darla was sleeping on my chest. I was so glad to get home Saturday afternoon.


Derick has been such a loving big brother, both Jeremy and I are amazed at how tender and protective he already is. A nurse was doing something with Darla in the hospital, and he kept saying, "Don't, Don't, Don't..." just making sure that the nurse knew he was watching out for his sister. It's adorable and so sweet to watch him. He always wants to hold her, touch her, and listens for any little peep that she makes, exclaiming, "My baby sister!" We still have to watch him closely, as he likes to put his fingers in her mouth, nose, eyes....but I know it's just curiosity. Above all, he's taking this new baby sister thing all in stride. I couldn't be more proud of him.

Life with a newborn is not easy, and I have found there is alot I had forgotten. Good and not so good. My recovery from the C is going slower than the first time around, and there are new and different feelings of pain. But, after a visit to the doctor Monday, I'm accepting them and doing my best to move past that part. Breastfeeding is going well, my milk came in the day we left the hospital. What I have learned is, not all babies feed the same. Derick was a drinker, and he was FAST. Darla, is more of a sipper, and not as fast as Derick. I took a shower Monday morning, and freaked out, finding that I had some swollen lumps in my armpits. After my doctor visit, I have learned that women have breast tissue all the way into their armpits, and it can fill with milk, if your baby is not emptying your breasts fast enough! Who knew? But, a little swollen milk glands, I can deal with that.

There are so many things I had forgotten about newborn babies, that I love! I love that soft feeling of their heads, as they snuggle up against your shoulder. I love the cooing, the little noises they make, and even the way they breathe. I forgot about the swell of love that moves between the two of you when they open their eyes and connect with you. I love their adorable small toes and fingers; and that new baby smell..........well, there's really nothing like it on earth.

We took Ms Darla into the doc yesterday for her first check up. She's doing well and is just a few oz under her birth weight. We'll be back above 8 lbs by next week, for sure. The funniest moment we've had so far, occurred at the doctor visit. In order to weigh her, we had to undress Darla, including her diaper. As soon as I took the diaper off, she exploded. And, I DO mean exploded. Projectile poop, people. Amazingly, she missed hitting the other three people in the room, but left a mess on the floor. I was too amazed to be all that embarrassed. Until, as we were cleaning it up, it happened again!!! Yup, twice in a row, a shot of poop flung across the room. I had never seen anything like it before. And to top it off, as we were getting ready to take her to the scale, she peed on the table. All I could do was laugh and hope the nurse wasn't too disturbed. I'm really not sure Darla liked the doctor's much. What a moment....I'll never forget it.

As I write this, my heart is full of love for our new little addition. She's lying on my lap, sleeping in that way that only newborns do. Deeply. Today has been an emotional day, filled with lots of tears and frustration. I know the days will get better, and I look forward to the moments to come as we continue to learn how to be the best family of four we can be. For now, we are taking it day by day.