Daddy Time

She loves spending time with her Daddy!

It's so nice spending time at home with my family. Amber is at school right now, and Darin is on his way home from work. It's amazing spending all of my time with Willow during the day. She's so tiny and she needs me for everything.

I don't even mind changing her diapers. She's the cutest thing in the whole world. All of her clothes are too big for her, which is nice cause I was worried with her size that she wouldn't be able to fit into her newborn clothes, but lucky for me, she fits into them, and some of them are too big. I love taking pictures of her in her cute outfits. I don't want to forget a single moment of this time.

Darin gets home from work and the first thing he wants is to hold his baby. They cuddle together on the couch and she sleeps forever in his arms. It's the sweetest thing I have ever seen.

~Stephanie

Home Sweet Home

So tiny in her little bed, but perfectly content to be in her own space finally!

Amber had an appointment with the wound center today and then when she and Darin were done, they came to the hospital to get Willow and I to take us home. We spent some time waiting to hear about Willow's blood tests, but she came back cleared of jaundice so we were able to go home. We bundled her up and made sure she was warm. It was one of the coldest days of the winter so far.

We finally got home and got Willow settled into her bed; we set up her Pack and Play right next to my bed, and she was so glad to be home. I was even happier to be home and have all of the cords and needles and everything disconnected. Willow and I slept for a few hours, then we tried out our new rocking chair. Willow approves I think, and that's where we spend our time when I am feeding her. I am looking forward to enjoying the next weeks with her before I have to go back to work.

~Stephanie

Light Therapy and Torture

Spending time with Mommy in the hospital, being so little is exhausting!

Willow has jaundice. She was exiled to the light therapy bed except for feeding time. She hates the little glasses that she has to wear to protect her eyes, and I feel terrible hearing her cries. It's torture for me, although nowhere near as bad as watching them prick her heels 3 times and squeeze the heck out of her feet to get enough blood to run their stupid tests... Ok, they are not stupid tests, but I find myself rather unhappy with them all the same. Poor baby, her blood type is not compatible with mine and that is why she got the jaundice. Luckily the second test came back lower and she's back to cuddling with Mommy.

Christina and Jeremiah went home today and they were sad to have to go. Willow got out of the light bed just in time to spend some quality time with her Aunt and Uncle before they had to head to the airport. They made it home safe and are happy to be there, even though they miss us.

If all goes well, Willow and I will be able to go home tomorrow. I am hoping that we get to because I cannot wait to get home and be able to relax without so many people constantly around. It's hard to relax in the hospital, but once we are home, Willow and I will be able to get into a routine that works for us, and that will be wonderful. I want my own bed and I want to have my baby in her own bed as well. Cross your fingers for us!

~Stephanie

Life's Little Blessings

For nine months, I carried her beneath my heart, but for the rest of my life I will carry her inside my heart!

Yesterday, January 16th, Willow Grace Dennis was born at 10:58 pm. That was the moment that I realized that I had no idea what I was getting myself into, or what kind of joy this little one was going to bring into my life. When they put her in my arms for the first time, and then when I fed her for the first time, I knew that she had taken over my world.

Willow was 8 pounds, 14 ounces and she was 21 inches long. She was born via cesarean delivery and was just perfect. Her tiny cries filled the large operating room and brought tears to my eyes. It was hours before I got to hold her, but before her Daddy took her to meet Amber, Christina, and Jeremiah, I got to kiss her and touch her perfect cheek. The hardest thing I ever did was lie there while they sewed me back up and wait so long to get to hold my baby girl.

You think you have an idea what it will be like to have a baby, but you quickly find out that you have no idea. I am enjoying every moment with Willow in the hospital. They keep offering to take her to the nursery so I can "rest", but I cannot bear the thought of her being away from me. I want her right here in my room next to me. I can rest when I get home. I do not want to miss a moment of these early days.

Darin laughs at me, but I could look at her for hours, and she's so tiny in my arms. I love holding her and cuddling with her. And feeding her is absolutely amazing, something that no one else can do for her. It's something just for Mommy and Willow.

~Stephanie