Welcome Larkin Benita!
Larkin Benita came barreling into the world last Friday, Feb 22, at 8:28am. I hadn't been feeling anything stronger than Braxton Hicks contractions for several months. But at about 5:45 that morning I woke up and noticed a little pain to the contraction I was having. I felt 2 more and then got up and told Darrell I might be having contractions. I sat down and a few minutes later, "POP!" my water broke. And the contractions became much stronger and came quicker. I had enough time to make 3 quick calls, get a few things together, and then we went out the door. We arrived at the birthing center at about 7:30 and by the time I got into the room I was ready to push. And there she was in all her glory a little under 3 hours after I noticed the first contraction! I can definitely say I am thankful it was shorter than the first time, very intense, but it didn't last forever.
Griff has been excited about "Cricket" (our in utero name for her that seems to be sticking) since he first found out that our family was having a baby. Here he was hugging Cricket in my belly about a week before she was born. Followed by a wild session of jumping on the bed.
Griff first meeting the baby.
Our sweet, new family configuration, sans Otis-the-dog. Griff kissing his baby sister. He came up on the bed and sat with us and read a first book to her, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."
Sleeping on her topponcino on her first night. If I had known about the topponcino with Griff, it may have made things easier. It is a soft, flat pad that they can be carried in and it holds their and mom's scent and warmth, rather than try to transfer them to a cooler surface when you put them down. So comforting and soothing for them.
Giselle, the amazing back-massager-through-painful-contractions, presenting Griff with the big brother advice book she put together from advice given by family and friends. Griff was delighted.
You might notice the dark mark below his lip. Griff had quite an adventure on the night Cricket was born. He and his dad and grandmas went out for a celebratory pizza. Griff and Darrell were playing ping pong when Griff slipped and hit his face on exposed pipes. His lip busted open and off to the ER they went where almost 8 hours later they were released at 2:30am with 7 stitches in his lip and a very swollen face. His stitches came out on Thursday and he will need to keep it covered for at least 6 months to cut down on the scaring. Since he isn't too fond of keeping hats on, I think it will have to be a combo of sunscreen and band-aids, our new fashion accessory. What a day for that little guy!
Cousins Steely, Larkin, and Griffin!
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CONGRATULATIONS!! Larkin is adorable. I miss you all.