Peyton Jane

Our baby girl, Peyton Jane

6.15.10

8lbs. 2 oz.

Also known these days as little miss, Peytee, baby girl, Pa-den (Owen), baby sister...

and "Miss Thang" by her dad...

she already has him wrapped around her tiny finger.

We are officially a family of four... and loving it. There is definitely more personality in our house these days. The past week has been an emotional roller coaster for me... lots of drs. appointments, nursing, lab results, swaddling, tears, pumping, laughter, prayer and sheer joy. Earlier in the week, before the real chaos settled in, I attempted to blog about Peyton's birth and our first few days with her...

Tuesday was a good day...

Mark and I welcomed our baby girl, Peyton Jane, into the world with a wonderful (and quick) induction birth. It was such a peaceful day, just Mark and I for most of the day, anticipating the arrival of our baby girl and loving some alone time to talk and just enjoy each other. The induction was smooth and very quick and to top it off one of my best friends got to be there (with her baby girl in tow) for the pushing to coach us on and welcome baby girl. The following days in the hospital were peaceful and full of bliss marveling over this beautiful sweet baby girl, visiting with family and close friends that came to visit, and enjoying our ocean view from the window.

Yesterday was a hard day...

I was excitedly anticipating going home and sharing a day with just Mark and Peyton, to get situated and catch up on some sleep before big brother came home. My peaceful days came to a screeching halt when the dr. told us that although I was being discharged, we would need to keep Peyton at the hospital for an additional night under phototherapy for her jaundice that was rapidly getting worse. This meant we had no room and had to send Peyton to the nursery to be placed in an incubator like container with UV lights and googles. My sweet Peyton, I wanted nothing more than to spend the day holding her, sleeping, and learning to nurse with her. This news also meant that in order to be with her I had to sit in a chair in the nursery all day (even though Im still recovering from a delivery, ouch.) and stare at her until it was time to nurse her in the middle of the room. It was a long day and an even longer night with two short trips home to lay down between feedings. In the midst God provided some amazing times bonding with Peyton and an appreciation for holding and nursing her like I never would have imagined.

Little Diva with her goggles on...

I am in total family bliss today...

it was one of those days where everything felt good and perfect and I never wanted each moment to end. Today started with bringing home our baby girl from the hospital... it was the best feeling in the world to just sit with Peyton on our couch looking out the window with baby girl all snuggled in my chest, sleeping so soundly with the smell of her and her blankets surrounding me. Then big brother came home. It was so amazing to see Owen, he was literally a burst of sunshine entering the house and filling Mark and I with so much joy.

Time and time again Owen melted our hearts with things like:

Running into the house yelling Peyton's name and running over to see her, touch her, and give her a kiss, and ask her if she wanted a snack?

Saying I love you over and over and wanting to "snuggles" with me for a long time.

Loving his train station baby Peyton gave to him and playing with it all morning.

Owen asking to hold baby Peyton and rock her in the rocker.

Dancing "with Baby sister" (as she is chilling in her bassinet) to the electronic lullaby tunes on her bassinet.

Giving baby Peyton gentle touches on her feet and kisses on her head.

Watching baby sister get fed and counting "One, Two milks."

Making sure baby Peyton would still be there when he got home from the park this evening.

Catching him rocking her bassinet and singing her his night-night song.... so sweet.

Yes, that is a huge band-aid on Owen's forehead... long story.