World....meet Brooke

Sorry it's been so long but we've been a bit busy making a family of 5!! So far, all is well. However, Darrin's been off of work and a tremendous help. Everything is easier when Daddy's home. :) Ask me how things are going once he's back at work!!

Our sweet Brooke was born February 15th at 1:10pm. She was the largest of the kiddos, weighing in at 7lbs 9oz. The funny thing is that I gained the least amount of weight with this pregnancy. No wonder I felt like a stuffed bird! :) I really was all baby! This was my 3rd c-section in 3 and half years and although I still try to take it a little easy - I'm feeling GREAT! My recovery has been pretty fast with no complications. I realize now that I'm not pregnant how truly difficult this past pegnancy was for me. I think that's one reason I'm feeling so great -- because for 9 months I really felt so horrible. God granted me strength each day Brooke was growing inside of me. And now that she's here - He's granting us strength (and providing great amounts of coffee) to deal with this transistion. :)

Anywho -- Here's her birth announcement and some (ok...a lot of) photos. Enjoy!

Right after she was born. The Dr let the cord stop pumping before he snipped it and then Darrin was able to trim the cord once they got her to the warming area.

This time around I did a lot of things differently than with Rylee and Jake's birth. One of those things were having a birth plan. I never really knew that you had options when it came to C-sections but YOU DO! One thing I requested was that the nurses would wait to do the birth certificate and first bath until I was in recovery and could really witness it. Otherwise, they do it all in the operating room while mom is being sewn up.

This is the first time I was able to experience and witness the bath and them taking hand/footprints. Darrin was also able to help bathe her. It was a really special moment for me.

The kids came to meet Brooke a little later that afternoon.

Jake instantly fell in love with her...
Rylee too a bit longer to warm up to the idea. It was a long day for everyone. :)

Love baby feet

Our little baby Gnome. lol Volunteers knit beanies for the newborns. They only had large ones left. This was the result. :)

Brooke's birthmark. She's the only kiddo that has one and I'm kind of obsessed with it. I think it's adorable.

Our very good friend (and one amazing photographer) Ryan Fedler, let Darrin barrow his nice camera for the birthing photos and then Ryan came to the hospital (and to our house once we got home) to take some nice photos of Brooke. I can't describe how grateful we are to Ryan and his wife Jen for all their love, support and friendship. We are truly blessed by them.

Our family friend, Mike Biehl, also came over to do a little newborn shoot of Brooke. The photos turned out so cute! And even though D hasn't been in the Marine Corps for several years - there's still nothing like a sweet baby with a Marine Cover. :)

Another of Mike's photos -- I love her precious yawn here!


Dr H has delivered all 3 of the kids. Thank you for helping bring my children into the world safely. You have a special place in our heart.