One Week Old

We took Tudor-Beach to her first check-up this morning.  When she checked out of the hospital she weighed 8 lbs-2 oz, and today was at 8 lbs-6 oz.  So she is eating well.  Everything else checked out well, so we will be back in a month!

What did we not do this past week!  We went to Lenox Mall.  We hit the zoo.  We played with the boys and girls.  Jason cooked a fabulous meal of curry soup and egg rolls.  Painted our fingernails. Drank mimosas.  Watched basketball.  And took pictures of Tudor-Beach wearing all sorts of cute outfits from her Aunts (Leigh, Sally & Janie).

Couch Time

Not much I can say.  It was so great coming home.

Home

Sally and Janie decorated the house for our arrival home!  It was just what I needed.  When we brought Solon home over three years ago, my dad and Janie did the same thing for us.  Things have changed a lot since then.  It was hard not having my parents there with all of us.  Even more so because I knew exactly what it felt like with them when I had Muffin. 

But my mom and dad let me know they were not far away.  When Jay and I were heading out the door to head to the hospital, we both spotted a bright red cardinal sitting on the tree next to the porch.  It was looking right at us.  I hadn't seen one in months, and I immediately started crying.  I know it sounds corny and super-hormonal..but it was my dad telling me he was there with me. 

I had photos of Momma and Daddy set up in the hospital rooms with me, and each doctor and nurse asked who they were when they came in.  Tudor-Beach's grandparents.

Looking Lovely

Seeing pink and ruffles is going to take some time to get used to.  We got Tudor-Beach all dolled up in her little pink dress and bonnet from Aunt Sally, and then wrapped up in the white blanket Nanna made for Solon. 

Recovery Room Relaxing

It was such a wonderful few days in the hospital with everyone.  Eating dinner together.  Passing Tudor-Beach around.  Dressing Tudor-Beach in the cute outfits from Aunt Janie and Aunt Sally.  Entertaining Solon and Poppy.

Hello To The Girls

Ann, Janie and Sally holding Tudor-Beach for the first time! 

And you can't see them, but Sally & Janie wore Cookie Monster t-shirts in honor of her birthday..and put Solon in a bright red shirt that read "Big Brother."  He proudly wore it to camp the next day to show all his buddies.

Tudor-Beach Julia Fraiser

We have waited so long for you to get here. 

Jay wanted her to be born on March 20th, the first day of spring. So, I tried my best to have us scheduled for inducing on that day, but they only could do the 21st.  It didn't matter because it seems Tudor-Beach was going to agree to his plans regardless:)  She was born at 7:59 pm, and had all her fingers & toes.

Her name. 

Tudor Beach Carre was my great-grandfather, or Nanna's father.  He passed away when she was 16, and I don't know a lot about him outside of what Nanna has shared with us.  I just have always loved the name, and Jay as well when I shared it with him years ago. 

When I was pregnant with Cookie, we floated the name past a few people:) and their reaction was the same as my initial one.  Big name for a little girl.  Ann, Sally, Janie and Nanna were all sitting in the skeptical boat.  So, Jay and I let it marinate for several months and had a second choice in line.  But the last couple of weeks, we decided to trust ourselves and make the jump.  My mom knew I had loved that name forever, and I think she would have been happy to see me go with what I/we wanted all along.

We chose Julia in honor of the long line of Julia and Julian's before her on Jay's side of the family.  But namely June (Julia Kelly), Jay's grandmother and Ann (Julia Ann Kelly).  A beautiful name  Tudor-Beach can share with all the women who helped make Jay who he is today.

Tudor-Beach was born on a day that symbolizes a rebirth.  We are so happy because for us that is what she is for our family.  A rebirth to happiness and a bright, exciting life ahead of us.

Back Here Again!

I woke up early Tuesday morning on the 20th, and I knew something felt a little weird.  Jay was out the door for work around 6 am, so Muffin and I went about our normal morning routine.  I called Sally and Janie and told them not to get too alarmed, but I thought I was having contractions.  By 7:30, I called Jay and told him he should come home.

Jay and I headed to my doctor's office, and they hooked me up to all these wires. My contractions were measuring about 5 minutes apart, and I  was 5 cm dilated.  Time to head to the hospital. We checked in and had a couple of hours to ourselves before everyone arrived.  It was nice and relaxing...even more so after the epidural.  We talked about how excited we were about Cookie's arrival and all the great things we have planned for the future.  Jay played Mahjong.  I ate ice chips. 

Ann, Solon, Sally, Janie and Poppy rolled into the hospital just in time!  My contraction were coming every two minutes, but we managed to have a couple of hours to hang out.  Everyone was pretty excited!

I Told You So

Well, I finally had Jay take a photo of me pregnant...and I went into labor about 12 hours later.  Yes. I was round, incredibly uncomfortable and moved as slow as a snail.

Gone To His Head

Solon modeling his new Star Wars underwear.

Writing A Letter

Look! Muffin showed me he could write the letter "H."

Speaking My Language

Jelly dougnut.  And kicking back.  Great (last) weekend with Jay and Muffin.