PRINCIPESSA NOSTRA!!!

She's finally here and we love her! She was born at 12:25 a.m. Saturday, April 5th, 2008. She weighed 8 lbs 8 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. Her head was 14 1/4. She was a BIG healthy girl. She came naturally (that's right, no drugs at all. Also, no episiotomy) after 14 HOURS of Pitocin. OUCH. Everything went SUPER slow until the very end. When I finally got dilated far enough (I set the goal ahead of time - if I were to get an epidural, I wouldn't do it until after 6 or 7 cm in order to help prevent c-section) to ask for an epidural, I went from 7 to 10 in about 3 minutes so there was no time for the guy to come with the drugs. I was pushing when he got there. Once I figured out that there wouldn't be any pain relief, I wanted her out NOW!!! After twenty minutes or so and and four or five pushes, my baby was here! (Along with 2nd degree lacerations, crazy swelling, and a monstrous hematoma from pushing too hard. Again I say OUCH!) But I also say, she's so worth it. Even the terrible healing process. I also learned that labor and delivery is possible. It totally boosted my confidence in myself and in women in general. WE ROCK! For real ladies. We are strong! I know any women is capable of giving birth. Whether or not you choose to use drugs, I don' t think one way is necessarily better. It's your body, your baby, and your birth. It's choice, and either way you're strong and capable. It's an amazing process. That night I didn't think it was that great, but thank heaven for hormones that help me forget. The Lord seriously knows what he's doing.

Since she was born Hadlee has been a joy! She sleeps well, eats well, and is crazy adorable. We love her stinking guts!!! Not to mention, she can spit up like no baby you've ever seen! That's right! I look at her and just feel overwhelmed. Having her is definitely the best thing I've ever done. Cor and I didn't know we could fit so much love in our bodies! I feel like I'm going to burst! Anyway, we'll keep you updated.