FINALLY!!!

Bailey Anne Marie arrived by c-section on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 4:01 p.m. in the middle of the biggest snow storm to hit Kingsport since the early 90's. She weighed 8 lbs. 8 oz. and measured 21.5 inches long. She has a full head of blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. I was not expecting to have a c-section, but after about 7 long hours of strong contractions and only progressing from 4 cms to 5 cms we determined that a traditional delivery just wasn't going to happen... Bailey was just too big to fit through my pelvis and in order to make sure that both she and I would be okay we made the hard choice. I'm so glad that we did make this decision after she was delivered and her cord was wrapped around both her neck and her arm. Had we continued trying to go through with a regular delivery it could have been VERY bad... what a blessing in disguise.

We were discharged from the hospital on Monday. We were hoping to go home Sunday, but our house lost power and was without heat Friday through Sunday due to the "Blizzard 2009" storm. I must admit that although it was nice to have the wonderful nurses and staff at the hospital available to us any time we needed them, it felt really nice to finally bring her home! Life for Craig and I really has changed drastically! The Johnson & Johnson commercials are so true when they say "having a baby changes everything"... but definitely in a good way! We just adore her!

Anyway, here are some pictures from the past few days... enjoy!

Love at first sight
Our first family photo with Bailey screaming in my ear... just lovely!

Daddy's little girl!

My first turn holding her in the recovery room

The VERY proud grandparents

After being bathed Bailey was broughy back to us by the nurses inside a Christmas stocking wearing a Christmas hat

Look at all of that hair!

Sleepy girl

What a pro!

The mean, I'm hungry and gassy face

Bailey and Mommy

All bundled up and ready to brave the cold weather... the looks like the kid from the Christmas Story movie that can't put his arms down because he's got so many winter coats on!

Our thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and words over the past few days. We can't wait to introduce you all to Bailey!