A bit more of Sydney

Me and Sydney just minutes after her birth.  So happy she's here!!

Sydney with her Daddy

I'm so glad the delivery is over.  I was induced this time--it was an elective inducement because since Hayden came so fast, I wanted to make sure we made it to the hospital this time. (We did make it to the hospital with Hayden, but it was a little too close for comfort.)  I think I wouldn't choose to be induced again.  It was really stressful for me to actually know when I would have this baby, and knowingly walk into what I knew was coming.  I think for me, it's better to just be thrown into it.  I will say, however, that this "pre-delivery-drive-to-the-hospital" was the most pleasant of all since I wasn't contracting and wondering if the baby might just come in the car.  We just drove there early in the morning, no traffic, kids at home with a friend, and the only thing to worry me were my own anxieties.

After about four hours during which I was receiving the needed antibiotics, and they started me on pitocin, they broke my water, and then things went more quickly.  Sydney came a couple hours after that.  No epidural for me this time--not a big fan since I got spinal headaches after Sean's birth.  I  did receive something through my IV, which wasn't helpful at all.  I could feel everything, but they just made me louder.  Like I was drunk or something.  kind of embarrassing. So next time, I've decided I'm just going for it completely natural.  It'll be my best birth ever, I can feel it.  And it won't be for a good few years, so don't get too excited.

This is one of my favorite things--a new baby sleeping on my chest.

This little girl is VERY LOVED.  She never has lack of people to hold her.  The first few days, I felt like all we did was pass little Sydney from one sibling to the next to the next.  They would line up on the couch and each want a turn.  On Sunday when the family came home from church, I heard the garage door open, and in less than a minute, all of the kids had run upstairs as fast as they could line up for their "Sydney turn."  Hayden frequently plops himself down on the nearest chair and says, "I need to have a hold him."  (We're still working on the feminine pronoun for Sydney.)

I'm so lucky that my mother is able to come help out when we have a new baby.  She's the best ever!  She made delicious meals, did my laundry, made sure I got naps, took the kids to the park, and to see Toy Story 3, and helped me get moving on some bedspreads for the boys' room that I've been meaning to make for about five years now!  (I will post pictures when they are done--I'm getting very close!)

My angel mother with our newest angel.

Sydney's first photo shoot:

My sister Jenny made the darling quilt and did the applique on the onesie.  Aren't they perfect?

 I'm SO grateful for these five little Garietys.