So Precious. So Tiny.

My Grandma made this sweet hat :D

Going Home

Proud Grandparents :)

Connor's 1st time he saw Baby Sister

 

Getting Ready to go home :)
 

We took Taylor to see the ocean on the way home!

The stay at the hospital was a long one, but such a wonderful experience with great nurses and doctors. Connor came to visit the morning she was born and just fell in love with her...giving her LOTS of kisses and hugs. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen and so great to here him say, "I love you Taylor". Thanks family and friends who came to visit and welcome our special girl to Earth, on Earth Day :).  On the way home from the hospital we went to our favorite lookout, Bird Rock, to show Taylor the beautiful ocean!

Taylor Sunshine's Birth Story

Mama & Dada in the birthing tub

Holding my Taylor Sunshine

Our girl!

Daddy cuts the umbilical cord

She is healthy and perfect

Miss Taylor Sunshine

Our Midwife Karen delivered Taylor

April 9th was the official due date of our baby girl. Each and every day after we waited anxiously to see when she would really make her debut. I began to get nervous as my induction date was set for 42 weeks and was approaching quickly. I started trying any and all suggestions from friends and family for natural induction methods...I tried different herbs, got a pedicure, had a prenatal massage, did acupuncture, planted an awesome garden for 5 hours, walked, did yoga, climbed stairs and hills, had a glass of wine, ate every type of spicy food I could think of, ate a whole pineapple...ya - NONE of it worked! On Tuesday, April 20th I had my last appointment with my Midwife and set up all the details of my induction. This put a little fright in me, since an induction was the exact opposite of what I wanted for this birth. So Wednesday morning rolled around and I decided I would give it a go and try Castor Oil...WOW! Awful ;D!!! My first dose was at 11am and I threw it all up so I got to try it all over again. I managed to get it down in an egg scramble, but it was awful. So my second dose I took at 3:30 with Root Beer and it was not too bad (I plugged my nose and chugged!) According to the internet I had a 57% chance of it working and if it did within 2-6 hours labor would begin...And YES, it worked :D.
At 8pm I was giving Connor a bath when I had my first contraction and Mike had to take over. For the next hour, Mike helped me with timing my contractions, calling Brit to come watch Connor, calling our parents to tell them the news and have them make their way to town...It was crazy how fast and hard these contractions came on. I knew after the first 10 minutes they were not going away. Within the first hour my contractions were 2-3 minutes apart and intense. I labored in the shower for a bit, Mike packed the rest of our bag and we were on our way to the hospital. I was admitted at 11pm, 4cm dilated. I had a whole "Team Taylor" :D with me, Mike, our Midwife Karen, our doula Jillian, two nurses and Mike's parents. For the first hour I labored with smiles and talking in between each contraction. But things soon changed. Mike and I got into our swim suits and hopped in the birthing tub together as my contractions were getting more intense. The birthing tub was my favorite, I felt like I could just melt into Mike's arms or lap and be filled with more strength and courage for each contraction. I did get to a point of screaming and lots of moans and groans, asking for drugs ;D. However, within the same 10 minutes I was also asking to push. I had to hop out of the tub and climb into bed so they could check my cervix before I could push. Wow...8 cm! I asked to get back in the tub, but I was told she needed to check me during my next contraction...as she did she said I was 10cm and could push. I still wanted back in the tub and some drugs ;D. But it was too late for either. She said they can not administer drugs during transition and she was worried I would not make it back into the tub before our baby girl arrived. After 25 minutes of pushing, burning, screaming, holding amazing hands of comfort, and touching her head as I was pushing...I had birthed our baby girl, Taylor Sunshine Perry completely natural on April 22nd, 2010 at 2:11am. She was 7lbs 11oz and 20.8in long.

Each birth experience is special, changes a woman's heart forever as the birth of a child brings the greatest of love. Taylor's birth has changed my life forever. Not only because I have a beautiful daughter now, but because I learned more about what I am capable of as well as my body. The love and support from my wonderful husband could have been no greater, he was the greatest birthing coach a mama could have.

Saturday Donut Day

He enjoys eating all the sprinkles off the donut first ;D

Just about every Saturday, the boys or the family head to the donut shop. Connor knows Saturday as "Donut Day." I think it is his favorite day of the week along with "Trash Truck Day" on Mondays. He loves to look at all the donuts, practically drooling over all of them...however in the end he always chooses the sprinkle donut with white frosting! Connor insists that his baby sister comes on Donut day, so we will see if he is right :D!!!!

40 Weeks

40 Weeks

Giving Baby Sister some love

Attacking Baby Sister with kisses

Com'on Baby Sister, come out and play

Aww...still in love

Amber is hoping this girl comes before she leaves tomorrow

Had to take some photos on our baby girl's due date :D She did not make her appearance today, but are excited we will be meeting her soon!

ICE CREAM!!!

Going to the ice cream shop is always quality family time :D! We have been trying to do as much as possible together, as a family of three...not knowing when we are going to be a family of four! I think Connor LOVES ice cream as much as his mom and dad ;P

Easter

Connor enjoyed stabbing the eggs with Crayons until they broke apart

All week Connor told me the Easter Bunny brings candy and money...

he is smart!

Opening up his Easter basket

Gramma found some awesome teeth for his Easter basket ;D

Every egg he found, he had to open it, dump it out and eat some of the candy

After a while he decided to have an area where he left his basket, dump the candy in the basket and throw the empty eggs on the grass

Easter was so much fun this year! Connor started telling me everywhere we go, "Connor, want it!" and I responded always, "The Easter Bunny is coming and maybe he will bring it." It was cute, so Connor was VERY excited to wake up Sunday for Easter. We had a wonderful weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Perry coloring eggs, playing in the beautiful sunshine, eating Easter brunch and watching Connor have an egg hunt with no competition ;D!