Making her formal Deput!!!

Our Little Peanut has arrived.....

The Story

Last Friday I went into my 37 Week appointment in high hopes that I was progressing with little Miss Harper. It had been a pretty good week full of work and finishing cleaning/organizing in anticipation for her her to arrive! Upon arriving at the appointment at 9AM Pete and I quickly realized that there would be no need for anticipating for very much longer! The doctor did my exam with a funny look on her face before pulling back to say, "Girl, you're 6 cm- feel like having a baby today?!" Pete and I looked at each other in shock, but as she finished her exam she said "Its time and she'll be here before midnight!"

Well, all of you know we well enough that my OCD was TOTALLY not prepared for this! I wasn't ready- or so I felt, and holy smokes I hadn't fully prepared myself for motherhood!!! This nervous energy went straight into a To-Do list for my loving husband Pete (who by the way was celebrating his 27th birthday!!!) and then they wheeled me up to labor and delivery. I was just sitting in that bed thinking, "What in the world is going on.... I don't even feel that bad", but just as soon as I was thinking that, I was checked again at 7 cm- just 1 hour later. The nurse thought it time for an epidural as Harper was kicking up speed to make her entrance! Although maybe her mind was ready, her body had other plans. Our very first parental scare came right after the epidural when her heart rate dropped from the cozy 14os all the way down to 50. With each contraction I had her heart rate dipped lower and lower. Pete and I just quietly watched as Dr's and nurses rushed around us trying to get our little angel to cooperate! The Dr. broke my water and adjusted me in such a way that Harper was content- so we were able to call off the dogs and I promise you I wasn't moving a muscle!!

Well, this particular Friday there were about 5 of us in labor all at the same time! Because of the small 'labor line' forming on the floor, I was pushed to 4th in line behind ladies that needed more emergent care. The nurse stayed with Pete and I most of my waiting time, but finally around 6 I was given some Pitocin to help Harper work her way through the last cm of dilation. With that came the dips in heart rate and she moved to a posterior position making it just about impossible to deliver her vaginally. The Dr. asked us if we wanted to continue to push with the stress on Harper or if we would like to have a c section; without a breath taken Pete and I both said c section.... we wanted her out of the stressful environment asap!!

So, although unexpected I did have a c section to deliver our beautiful, healthy baby girl!

Harper Grace Lee was born April 8, 2011 at 8:33PM weighing in at 6 lbs 7 oz and measuring 19 in long.

It was very emotional, hearing her little cry from beyond the blue screen, seeing her little feet in the air as they cleaned and checked her in the OR, and then definitely watching as they placed her tiny being in Pete's arms and he bent down so I could kiss her her forehead. I was a little bit of a mess, but wouldn't have it any other way... with this beautiful heartbeat there was just a small hiccup of surgery, but at that moment it did not matter in the least.... we were a family!

She has beautiful blue eyes and a mop of wavy brown hair...

and is most definitely already a Daddy's girl with his favorite moments being her wrapping her fingers around his....

pretty sure he never wants her to let go :)

I was so happy to be taking her home!!

Our precious little angel.... gosh I don't think Pete and I ever dreamt our hearts could be this full... she is our perfect little angel :)

I wanted to thank you ALL for the kindness and support you have shown our little family throughout these past 9 months. We have been so blessed and know that we would not be where we are today without all of you.

...and to my amazing brother, Aaron, for your patience and skill at taking these beautiful pictures- words can't describe how thankful we are for all these images....