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In Heaven

(picture taken this morning)

That's where I've been for the last six days. Oh my goodness! I can't even begin to describe the last six days of my life! I had such a wonderful and peaceful labor and delivery experience. Ben was great, God blessed us with a sweet nurse that didn't mind working with an unmedicated mama, and my doctor was on call and excited about working with us...oh it was so perfect! I plan to write down my whole labor and delivery story soon, but I'm still not sure if I will share it here or not as I don't plan to leave out details. Maybe I can share a revised version here if any of you like to read birth stories (I do).


Labor and delivery seemed like a wonderful dream, but it still didn't feel real to me, then that night when it was just Ben and I alone with her it started to sink in. I told my doctor the next morning that it felt like I found out I was pregnant, having a girl, and I got my baby all in one day! If I'm being honest I have to say that my heart really never let me believe that we were having a baby. There were times that it would feel real for a minute, but then it would quickly fade. For the entire pregnancy I felt like my heart just ignored what was going on, even when I tried to force myself to feel something. The last six days have just been a happy blur of all of those emotions slowly settling in. Molly told me the day we got home "Mama, I just keep randomly crying when I see her. My eyes just fill up with tears and I can't help it, I'm just so happy!" I think that we all feel that way. I think we just wanted her so badly that we were afraid to feel it until she was here safe and sound. She really is such a little miracle! Shortly after she was born I told Ben "You know, I think I wanted a girl all along." And I know I would have felt the same way had she been a boy! She just felt so right, exactly who God meant for us to have and that's just what I wanted.


I made it to 36 weeks and 6 days! Those few extra days inside mama made a WORLD of difference! It is incredible what a difference just one more day can make. Those last few days were totally worth the fight! Claire has been so much easier in every way than my other babies. The biggest difference is nursing, she nursed at 20 minutes old like my other babies nursed at a month old. Now at 6 days old she nurses like they did at 4 months, it's crazy! My other babies were very jaundice and had to have billibeds, Miss Claire has just been eating so good that she is getting rid of it on her own. She is just such a dream, I never knew it could be like this!


I just can't wait another minute to show off her hospital pictures! I was trying to wait for them to come in the mail, but they still aren't here! So that's why I'm using the watermarked web photos that they let you share online. Isn't she perfect?! She was about 24 hours old here and the photographer was so in love with her. She just went on and on about how sweet Claire was with all of that hair, and how easy she was to photograph "Like a little porcelain doll." I was so proud! You know they probably tell all of the mamas that but I just had to believe her!


With all of these big kids around I just feel like I can't waste a moment with her, I know from experience how fast the first few days fly by and become years. I plan to enjoy every single moment that I can with this little gift. Oh friends! Can you believe how God answers prayers so perfectly? I just can't believe that God would bless us with our precious Bulgarian babies and another sweet biological baby!

If anyone needs me I'll be here holding an angel.....writing her birth story in my mind while we nurse....so sweet. xo, Sam

Comments

Debbie Cook said…
Congratulations! She's beautiful.

(I'm so glad to see a happy update. I've been thinking about you every day.)
Laurie said…
Awwww....... She is beautiful. God is worthy to be praised.
Anonymous said…
I'm so happy for you and your family Samantha. Miss Claire is a beautiful little miracle!
michelleml said…
she is perfect concrats

Michelle
Cole's Corner said…
She's beautiful.
Congratulations.

...and I randomly cry when I see babies, too... even when they're not related to me.
Dawn said…
She is just perfect!
No wonder you are in love!!!!
So happy for you.
xox
Julia said…
Beautiful Baby
Beautiful Photos
Beautiful Words
Beautiful Feelings!
Bless by Tone said…
wow - she really is a cutie :) It's so weird how it's always the perfect baby that arrives - it just couldn't have been anyone else - it's the exact same way I feel about my girls. Blessings on all of you. Tone
Heather G said…
She is absolutely beautiful!! I am so happy you are all healthy and happy!
jennb said…
So happy for you all!! She is so beautiful!
Laurie said…
Such a precious baby - the miracle of conception and birth never ceases to amaze me - it can only be the hand of God that can create such a miraculous beauty! Congrats to you all!
Anonymous said…
O, Sam, she IS PERFECT! SO beautiful!! What a sweet, perfect little mouth! And where did all that dark hair come from!! With all you red-heads and blondies! She is truly an answer to many prayers! Congratulations from Sparkle aka Barbara O
Jeannie B. said…
Oh, I envy you those sweet days. You are so right that they pass very quickly! May God bless your family.
waikikimum said…
Sam she is the most beautiful baby. All that gorgeous hair and precious face. Congratulations and enjoy your gift.
Natalie said…
Congratulations, she is just adorable!
Mindy said…
What a precious little doll! I am so very happy for you.
bjbonnie said…
Enjoy every moment with your precious new bundle! I can feel the joy she has brought into your lives.
SHEILA said…
So Blessed you all are!
XO
Anonymous said…
I'm so happy for you! She's just perfect and beautiful... Drink it all in Momma!!! God's blessings to you!
Emma Anne said…
Holy Cow, she is incredibly beautiful! I know what you mean about a few more days. We had one at 36 and 1, and he had 4 days in the NICU, a billiblanket at home, and weeks before he was nursing well. My next one (with much more bed rest) made it to 37 and 1, and those 7 days made all the difference. We prayed for you so often to make it far enough that she could come right home with you. I am so thankful God answered those prayers! Enjoy your baby snuggle-time!!
Anonymous said…
Samantha, What a gorgeous daughter you have:) She is so pretty! I am wondering if your other kids had that long dark hair! You have waited, and here she is:) Enjoy every moment.

Suzanne
Anonymous said…
I have been checking everyday for updates and new pictures-worth the wait! She is just precious. God is so good!
Jan said…
Congratulations to all of you! She's just perfect and precious. It's wonderful she was able to nest as long as she did. Makes for an easier newborn period for you. Enjoy the days of baby gazing.
Anonymous said…
Oh, what beautiful pictures of a beautiful baby. :) I bet that dark hair turns blonde in no time. We are all blonde here, even though I and a couple of my kids were born with dark hair. Looks like she's got blue eyes too? I can always tell the difference with my blue eyed kids and the ones who will have green eyes like me. The blues are obvious from the beginning.
Unknown said…
Oh Samantha, my heart is overjoyed for you and your little family. She is precious in every sense of the word.
Unknown said…
what a beautiful beautiful bubba, and mumma and family too! many many congratulations to you all, she's a lucky girl to be born to so much love.
Renata said…
Oh Sam - she sure is beautiful - such a lovely gift from the Lord! I'm so happy for you!
Enjoy this beautiful, precious time!
Renata:)
April said…
Oh, Samantha - what a Blessing from Jesus... truly, there are no words to express the outpouring of joy and expression and gratitude I am sure you must be feeling.

Praise to the Father - glory and honor, forever, AMEN!

So happy for you, dear one!
putznanu said…
How wonderful! She is a beautiful and I can feel your joy through your words! I actually teared up! She is a BEAUTIFUL baby and that photographer was not exagerating at all. Congratulations! and God Bless you and your whole family!

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