Two of a Kind, Workin on a Full House

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Neve - First Smile

Neve SMILED today. There is noting sweeter than your baby smiling back at you. Well actually watching them peacefully sleep is sweet too. And snuggling. And listening to them coo. And feeling then grab your finger. Life with a little one is all around sweet. It softens me up, slows me down and quite frankly makes me quite speechless.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Neve Monroe Hukee

Neve Monroe Hukee was born on March 8th, 2015 at 5:34pm. She weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and to be honest, I don't remember how long she was. Lets just say she was the perfect length! Perfect in every way!

After contractions started at 3am, I though for certain I would be holding my baby a few hours later since she is the fifth child after all. My last two labors, also started at 3 or 4 am, and I was holding my baby by 8 or 9 am. Neve had different plans. My contractions were not quite long enough or often enough to go into the hospital so I labored at home until about 3pm and then checked into the hospital at about 3:20pm, my water broke in triage which kicked things into high gear as it usually does, we got a room at about 3:50pm, I passed wall to wall in my room and she was here at 5:34pm. Then, I held her ...

...and the world stood still.

Wynnlee was so wonderful with her. Right from the first moment she came in, she was infatuated with Neve and wanted to hold her, and smile at her and giggle at her.

I knew this charming character named McCabe would be quick to hold her. He is so compassionate towards Wynnlee that his love for Neve was expected and yet so sweet and precious. I don't seem to have a photo of Brooks loving on his new babe, but I tell you, He was great! I wanted to be close to her and was such a gentle boy around her. Brooks did a good job. I have no doubt that she will be loved and protected but all of us!

Leighton is big smiles here, but he refused to come near me or Neve. I'm not sure if he was afraid he'd hurt us but he sure kept his distance.

My midwife, Pam Jach delivered Neve. She did a good job encouraging me and she was certainly much more calm than I was during pushing. I absolutely hate the pain I feel in my back when I lay down during labor, which is why I walk during the whole labor. I delivered Neve on my side, which is surprisingly much more relieving that being on my back. It was more comfortable to me and Pam, was so flexible with me. She was very compliant to my natural ways and even spoke to nurses on my behalf a few times. I am very thankful for some of those little things and I noticed her concern for my wishes. Pam said that Neve's cord was quite possibly the longest cord she had ever seen as she astonishingly keep pulling more and more and more out! She also said it was one of the most powerful. Even after 1 minute of delayed cord clamping it was still pulsing quite a bit. And even after that, when it was cut, blood squirted to the walls, windows and even the ceiling which obviously means it hit the people that were even closer. It was at that point that I questioned, why do I have a baby in the hospital? It has to be so dirty! The cord was wrapped around her neck once which I didn't know until later since it wasn't much of an issue. Although this labor was harder and longer than I wanted it to be, I am thankful for a healthy baby, I am thankful for a fast recovery, and I am thankful that this labor was different than the last and stands out to me. You'd think after 5 kids that it would be less exciting, that there would be less love to go around or something, but it is entirely inaccurate. Just like a fifth labor can be extremely different, stand out, and be marked by unique facts and feelings, so to can the baby. She is extremely different, she stands out to me, and she is marked by a unique personality, traits, smells, and life. God made her one of a kind! And God has once again expanded my heart's capacity. Honestly I think adding another baby has made my heart stronger for all of the kids, for my husband, and for God too.

So I guess the PG version of the story has been told and some facts have been shared now so I'm signing off now. There are too many snuggles to be had to remain here for long. I can't bring myself to set her down or share her very much. Becoming a mom is just as amazing the fifth time round. My heart is so full. So very full!