Happy 1 Week Birthday Cecilia

So I've been meaning to post pictures since I got home Friday, but as you can imagine (or maybe you can't fathom) I've been a little preoccupied with nursing, changing diapers, and recovering from surgery.

I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers; they most definatly were heard by the Lord. Everything went perfectly, and I felt completely enveloped in your prayers.

Here, Paul and I are just as we got to the hospital a bit around 5:45am. Jesse and Laura actually got to the hospital before us because Gabriella woke up and was having a little trouble letting go; the nurses thought they were us-um no. We were very blessed to have them with us lightening the mood and covering the whole event in prayer. We had a beautiful prayer time just before I left for surgery which will be a very precious memory for us and calmed my nerves.

Everything went without a hitch for the surgery. The staff was amazing. My only trouble was that I could hardly keep my eyes open and feared I would miss her birth. Apparently my breathing was very shallow and made the monitors keep going off and made the anesthesiologist a little nervous.

Here she is... Cecilia Louise is born at 8:06 am. She was very quiet at first and theen started to cry. She fooled us and made us think she might be a quiet one, but alas she has a set of lungs on her just like the rest. She will hold her own we think.

After they got her situated, I finally got to meet her. Daddy brought her over to me. My first memory of her is her sticking out her tounge as if to say, "I'm hungry." And hungry she was. Then I had to say good bye for a bit while they headed up to our room to get all her stats etc. and I had to finish up and spend some time in recovery. As Paul departed the OR he said, "See you in 2 years." The nurses just laughed half of them remembering him saying something similar 2 years ago with George.

I got back to our room and finally got to hold my baby, and yes she was already wanting to nurse. Thankfully, the surgery went so well, and I didn't get sick, so I was able to. It's an amazing feeling to finally hold you baby in your arms; it was love at first sight- it never gets old.

I love when Paul and I get our quiet time with our new baby. He truly glows and radiates pure joy, and it's always a perfect reminder that God truly blessed me with a wonderful man.

This is a traditional picture. The nurse walked in and asked him how he was feeling and if he needed anything.

Friday was going home day. I couldn't wait to see the kids. The hospital had a policy of not letting children under 5 visit because of the whole flu scare, so I was really missing my little ones. It was a joyous and boisterous homecoming. It's going to be an adjustment, but we're ready.

                                         
                                         

Sunday morning, Paul and Elizabeth made us an amazing breakfast to celebrate all of us being together. Paul held Cecilia the whole time he cooked, so I could get a shower. The food was delicious, and it was so nice to all be together around the table. It was a moment when you stop and say, "I have 6 children - who'd have thought?" We have a lot to be thankful for. God has truly blessed us. We love our family.

Things are continuing to go very well  with my recovery and with Cecilia. Paul is off all week, so I am getting a lot of rest and bonding time with my new baby. The kids are busy helping Paul get chores done from our to do list, and we are having some great family time. Cecilia is such a beautiful baby, and we just love her. She is getting lot of attention. We are slowly but surely getting back into a groove.

Paul and I celebrated her one week birthday by going on a date to Adoration, Mass, and then out to dinner. We had a nice time.  Thanks again for all you prayers.

Jesus, I Trust in You