{Breathtaking}

I can't praise my friend Diana enough for her talent. Its not enough to say Thank You. These pictures are timeless treasures to me. I am so thankful that she is willing to share her talent. This is the best shower gift ever. I love you Di-thanks again for sharing your talent!!

Our Baby Girl

Alyvia Nicole Ure

January 27, 2011

5 lbs 14 oz 19 inches

7:36 P.M.

Alyvia's first (decent) picture.

Just hanging out.

All the tubes and wires on our teeny tiny girl.

Finally time to go home.

Big car seat for such a little one.

Ms. Alyvia made her debut on the 27th. It was a special day for our family. Not only was it Jonas' half birthday, it was also Devin's birthday. I don't know if Devin cared too much for having to share his special day with his wife in labor. We were given an option...sort of. The Dr. asked.."how about the 27th?" I looked at Devin and he said..."Fine with me." So off we went at 7:AM. This time around I progressed much faster than I did with Jonas. I won't go into details...because they are my memories and I want to keep them. But all in all it was a great experience. Alyvia was worth the three weeks of bedrest, the headaches, the heartburn, and everything in between. (That's not to say I am in a rush to remember it all again)

After Alyvia was born the nurse noticed that she was breathing really shallow. She watched her, and tried to suction her out really well, but still her breathing seemed "off" to the nurse. So she called the NICU and they sent a nurse down to watch her. She was keeping her Oxygen up pretty good for a few minutes, and then it would drop a bit low...and then come back up again. It was all pretty hectic for a bit. Not scary hectic, just crazy. So off they wheeled my 58 minute old baby to the NICU..where she stayed for 6 days. Now, I realize that 6 days is nothing compared to what many other babies and parents go through...but for me, it was hard. The back and forth was hard. The leaving her at the hospital was hard. The sleepless nights were hard. The knowing that Jonas had no idea what was going on, was hard.

After the bubble C-Pap machine, and a few days on regular oxygen, a biliblanket, an umbilical IV, and lots and lots of blood work, Alyvia was released on Wednesday, February 2nd. It was a great day! Perhaps the best part of the day was when we got home. We showed Alyvia to Jonas and said.."Jonas, what is this?" He says..."A Baby". Then he gave her kisses (which is so cute-he puts his little lips on her head and then after he pulls away he makes the kiss sound). We brought him home a stethoscope...it was a huge hit.

Thank Goodness for answers to prayers, for a family who is willing to help, for friends who care, and call just to make sure we are ok, and most of all Thank Goodness for Eternal Families, and that ours is one of them.