Sisters

Clara has been so so excited about having a little sister and we couldn't wait to introduce these two girls to each other.  Mama K brought her to the hospital soon after delivery and we got to see her face light up at the sight of "her baby."  She's been a great big sister so far.  Her world has been rocked and the adjustment has manifested itself in other ways for sure, but she has nothing but love and adoration for this little baby.  I'm so excited that they will have the joy of growing up together.  Here are a few images from Clara's first two visits to the hospital to meet Eloise.  There will be so many more photos of these two together in the days (years) ahead.  Get used to it.  

Eloise was thoughtful enough to give Clara a big sister present to thank her for putting up with all the changes in her life.

 Clara was interested in Eloise for a little while, but then needed to fully explore the hospital room.  Wrap up in the curtains, climb into the bassinet, pull on my IV pole, try on the medical gloves... you know, the usual.

On the second day, our sweet nurse Sundee let Clara help with Eloise's examination.

Introducing Our Eloise

We arrived at the hospital bright and early on Tuesday morning, May 20 to begin pre-op.  I found myself to be very emotional and more than a little anxious as they ran through questions, hooked me up to monitors, took blood, placed and IV and prepared for the surgery that would welcome our girl into this world.  With Clara I had already labored most of the day before we went to the emergency c-section, and I knew that the real emergency was what would face us on the other side, but this time it all felt very calm and calculated and downright nervewracking.  Once the spinal was placed and the surgery began though, I was filled with a peace that was amazing.  (And I'm pretty sure it was more than just the drugs.)  We were so very fortunate to have the best possible team of surgery and anesthesia in the OR with us and it all went remarkably well.  The climate in the room was so totally relaxed and joyful and in control; such a stark difference to the somberness that we faced three years ago.  I didn't vomit a single time (shocking) and within just a few moments, we could hear our girl crying.  Although Clara did come out trying to cry, it was nothing compared to this and the sound of her brand new lungs filling up and rejoicing with us brought tears of my own.  Happy tears.

We spent some time in recovery and were in our room by lunchtime, settling in to life with this newest little bundle.  Meeting a new child is instant captivation.  Months of wondering if it could ever be possible, despite everyone's assurances, to love another child so much, vanished instantly.  She had my whole heart.

I'll take a few posts to share all the visitors and the beautiful, sweet, innocence of the first few days on Earth, but for now, I want to introduce to you:

Eloise Ann Hardy

May 20, 2014

7:48am

7 pounds, 12 ounces

19 inches long.

Pure. Perfection.

She is named for Robert's maternal grandmother (Louise Bratton) and for my mother (Mary Ann Davis).

Eloise means "healthy" and Ann means "gracious, merciful."  We are finding already that her health is among God's greatest mercies to us.  

Thanks Be To God.

Clara's First Haircut

I have hoped and wished for a curly haired child, but Clara seems to have missed those genes.  Maybe this next time around!  I've learned (the best I can!) how to deal with fine, straight, blonde hair and my main philosophy has been "don't cut it."  So she made it over three years without so much as a teeny tiny trim.  But we decided it was time to go ahead and get it cleaned up just a tiny bit on the bottom.  I was getting my traditional 'about-to-have-a-baby-chop-off', so Clara came along and Hunter took great care of her, too.  I promised her that morning that I would paint her fingernails while she got her hair cut, so she stayed as still as a statue and was so brave!  Hunter said she did the best of any first haircut he's ever given.  I was proud of her!  You can't see much difference, but it looks a little neater and we're savoring the "firsts" that are fewer and far between these days!

Mama Wore That: Mother's Day 2014

We had a very simple and low-key Mother's Day this year, which was just perfect since I'm busy growing another kid.  We missed getting to go pick strawberries, but hopefully next year we'll pick that up again.  We enjoyed going to church and lunch with Sweet Mama, naps for everyone, and some frozen yogurt together that afternoon.  It was nice to just be together and to celebrate the joy that is motherhood!  Clara is wearing one of my old dresses and I think she wears it very well.