Violet Ava

Tanner and I are in love with this little girlie:

Violet was born on Dec. 20th. Weighed 6 lbs. 11oz. 20 1/2 inches long.

She is a fantastic little eater. She loves to sleep.... during the day - gotta work on that one. She loves to poop, pass gas, and burp. When did all those things become adorable and make you happy? We love her bug eyes, and her quivering little chin. All the fat she has on her body went straight to her chubby little cheeks.

BIRTH STORY:

Since this little girl was due on Christmas, we decided to induce on Monday morning the 20th. We got everything ready all weekend, Sunday we had our delicious Christmas dinner with Tanner's extended family, and my mom was to fly in at 5:00pm. At 4:30, however, the hospital called and asked if I wanted to come in right then. YOU KNOW IT! Luckily we had brought our hospital bag and camera with us so we could go straight to the hospital. It was such a surreal moment. Driving to the hospital knowing we would see this little one soon.

by 7:30 I was admitted, sent up to my room, and hooked up with Pitocin. I was dilated to a 2 at that time and i think 70% effaced? can't remember. My mom's flight got delayed to 7:30, so Tanner's mom picked her up, and then they headed over to the hospital.

My wonderful Doctor, Dr. Huish, had other deliveries that night, so he popped in and broke my water. What a weird feeling! I knew this baby was going to come in the wee hours of the morning!

after hanging out at the hospital with my mom, and tanner's family, it was time to get the epidural. I'm such a wimp. I think I felt one contraction and called them in. Everyone kept warning me about the epidural needle, but I hardly felt it at all! It was great. I give mad credit for anyone who went through childbirth without an epidural. I felt like I could give birth 7 times in a row with my epidural.

Everybody left around 10, and Tanner and I tried to get some sleep.... tried. I was too excited. My mind was racing to the sound of tanner's soft rhythmic breathing, and the constant heartbeat of my little baby on the monitor. My mom wanted me to call her back to the hospital when I was dilated to a 7 (luckily I literally live 5 minutes down the road), and at around 2 in the morning my nurse checked me and I was at a 9 and 100 percent effaced! They called my doctor, and I pretty much held her in until he got there.

I pushed for about 5 contractions, and 1 episiotomy later, our little baby girl came tumbling out.

Everything was perfect. She got a 9 on the apgar scale, passed her hearing, has all fingers, toes, eyes, everything. I feel so blessed to have been able to experience being pregnant, and then to give birth to a wonderfully perfect baby - especially since it took us a little while to get here.

yes, she does cry.

our first family picture.

Proud daddy and mommy

One of the nurses said she thought she saw a little dimple like her mommy, but Tanner thought she had said she saw a double chin just like her mommy.

We spent the next day and a half at the hospital and headed home on Tuesday at noon. She has been a perfect angel.... so far....

Christmas pictures to come soon!!