Happy 4 Weeks, Quinn!

Four weeks ago today, we were at the hospital, waiting for you to come to us. I can't believe how much my entire world has changed from the moment I first saw you. The past four weeks have been incredible. There have been times of wonderment, intense love, learning, joy, and exhaustion (sometimes all at the exact same moment!). I wish I had more time to write and reflect, but I know you will wake up soon. I will try to write more during your second month, because when you are old enough, I want you to be able to read about what your life as a baby was like and how much you were loved and adored by us each step of the way as you grow up.

Here are two pictures from this morning. You are so happy, content, and alert. You are becoming more curious about the world and you love to gaze at things and look around. And you are still the best snuggler I know! You have grown so much in just four weeks. I am excited to see how much you change in the next four weeks as well.

 

Quinn in Action

Quinn, I recorded this when you were 11 days old. I am amazed by how alert you are already! This clip really captures your alert and content personality. You are a happy baby: you are easily soothed and comforted, you are curious while awake, and you are a little snuggler. You are sleeping well at night and you eat like a champ. You are a dream come true!

April 2, 2013: Your Arrival

Sweet Quinn, it has been nearly two weeks since you have arrived. I have thought about what to say in this post as I have rocked you to sleep numerous times, but there are truly no words that will adequately describe how my life has changed since you were born. I have heard other parents say that they knew love in a whole new way and that it is life-changing, but now I know firsthand that these sayings are true. Daddy and I have spent hours looking at you. Sometimes we cry when we hold you because the love we feel is so overwhelmingly strong. But mostly we smile and our hearts are filled with joy and intense love.

On April 2, we arrived at the hospital in the morning. We did not have a birth plan. Our plan was simply to get you out safely and in to our arms. Daddy and I did not care how it happened. We just wanted the end result of our sweet Quinn safe and healthy and with us.

Later in the day, you ended up coming to us via c-section. It was a wonderful experience. It went smoothly and safely. Mommy has recovered quickly and most importantly, you are here with us and are doing so well!

 

Here is mommy the morning of April 2, anticipating your arrival.

 

 

A nurse was kind enough to take pictures for us. This is the time of your arrival: 4:44 pm.

 

 

Here you are, getting pulled out of mommy's tummy. It was such a weird feeling! I was anxiously awaiting you on the other side of the curtain in the background.

 

 

Daddy watched the whole procedure. He saw you and instantly fell in love with you. Here is our wonderful OB holding you up for all to see.

 

 

This was the first view I had of you. You were pink and healthy and were using your strong lungs to cry. I thought you were perfect and beautiful. And you were real! After months of dreaming of you, you were real.

 

 

I felt such a primal, strong love for you right from the start.

 

 

Here is our first family photo. I love it.

 

 

Daddy followed you to the nursery to be cleaned up and weighed while I was stitched up. He then held you skin to skin on his chest until I could join you and put you on my chest and begin to nurse. I think that special time with Daddy has created a strong bond between you. You know his voice and turn to it when you hear him.

 

 

We spent two days in the hospital. Daddy loved to hold you during our stay. He would cry just looking at you sometimes. You blew our minds away from the start.

 

 

Here we are getting ready to take you home. I could kiss your head like this all day. You and I have such a connection, dear Quinn. I savor holding you and loving you.

 

 

Here you are getting ready for your first car ride: home from the hospital. You cried at first, but soon decided that you like your car seat and riding in the car. Look at you holding in your paci at less than 48 hours old! You are amazing. Now you are 13 days old and continue to brighten our days. I will try to update this again soon with more pictures and stories of our first few weeks at home.