Welcome Anna Marie!

A new chapter begins!

Our little baby girl, Anna Marie, was born on Friday 9/26/08 at 5:26 pm - 6 pounds 14 ounces and 19.5 inches long. What an amazing moment! Anna stole our hearts immediately and Brent and I are beyond thrilled with our little girl.



My water broke at 6 am at home Friday morning. Brent and I were both getting ready for work when Anna decided it was time! 12 hours later, Anna was born. A hard labor, but I made it! My parents, Brent's parents, and my brother Scott were all at the hospital to welcome Anna. We were shocked it was little Anna in there - I was so convinced it was a boy! But out she came and she's just perfect.



We brought Anna home on Sunday afternoon. Brent and I were enjoying every moment of wonderful overwhelming new parenthood. On Tuesday, Anna saw her pediatrician for the routine new baby check-up. We noticed that Anna was looking jaundice and we had lab work done. Her bilirubin level was high and the doctor admitted Anna to the pediatric unit at the hospital. We had to stay for two nights and Anna was under the phototherapy lights to help bring down the bilirubin level. She was in an incubator and wore little sunglasses over her eyes. We could only take her out of the incubator to feed her. Brent and I never left her side. The hospital accomodations left a lot to be desired - Brent had to sleep in a chair with his head against the wall. And after many mommy tears and poor poked little Anna feet for lab draws, we were able to come home Thursday afternoon. Anna was a real trooper and did so well. We were given a "bili blanket" to take home with us to continue phototherapy at home. Sunday morning the doctor said we could stop the blanket. Monday we went for labs again and saw the doctor and Anna's bilirubin level is still a little bit high, but keeps coming down. Her doctor is happy with her progress and just told us to keep a watch on her and let him know if she still looks jaundice in a week.

On a happy healthy note - Anna had an ultrasound of her kidneys the day after she was born. Normal kidneys! No worries anymore. Thank God, we are so blessed.

Anna is eating great and gaining weight. At the doctor on Monday she was up to 7 pounds 2 ounces. Her doctor is very happy and so are we! But before long, she won't be my little peanut anymore and will be growing and growing. Brent told me that she'll always be our little peanut. He's right.


My mom is here to stay the week with me. I'm so grateful! Brent took the first week off from work and it was awesome to be together and with Anna. My mom and dad came on Saturday and my mom will be here till next weekend when my dad will come back to pick her up. We've had a great couple of days already. My mom has been cooking and I'm getting very spoiled. She's enjoying Miss Anna and we are enjoying every one of Anna's moments.

Brent comes home from work and snatches Anna up. He loves his little girl and I have a feeling they will be best buds. Brent is an amazing father, as I knew he would be. He really is - completely comfortable and natural. Anna is lucky to have him - and so am I.

Wearing Daddy's hat.

I can't believe I'm a mom! It's sinking in slowly. Today I was rocking Anna in her room and looking at her little toy basket thinking, soon she will be crawling over there to get her toys. And after that, walking and talking. Oh my! I'm overwhelmed by her - everything about her is wonderful and perfect and special. My little girl.


Anna looks like Brent - she has his eyes. My mom doesn't see much of me in her yet, except the hair. Anna has quite the personality already - she squeeks, yawns, hiccups, and makes the funniest faces! The hiccups are hilarious - especially since she had hiccups all the time when I was pregnant, too. She sticks out her tongue and is so funny! She's quite the little joy.


I can't wait for everyone to meet her. Brent and I will be making a trip to South Bend soon to show her off. We're the proudest parents.

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes so far - lots of love and prayers have been coming Anna's way! Thank you for loving us and our little Anna Marie.