{made with love} happy birthday, chloe anne!

Chloe Anne was born Friday, October 21, 2011 at 11:33am.
{7lbs, 8.5oz, 19.5" long}

Giving birth via c-section wasn't my ideal situation, but it turned out to be a very wonderful experience & was, hands down, the best day of my life.

I suppose the biggest advantage of a planned c-section is how calm and peaceful the entire day is. My husband and I woke up around 5am Friday morning, and were able to take showers and get ready for Chloe's birthday. There was no big rush; I wasn't in labor, I wasn't having any pain, and I was able to take my time and really mentally prepare for the day.

{Ben & I in pre-op... Minutes before I was taken back for my section! Our last picture as a family of two :) }

My biggest fear was getting the spinal, and it ended up being a breeze. I was told the numbing medicine would feel like a bee sting, but I've never been stung so I really wasn't sure what to expect. I barely felt a thing, though, and to be completely honest my flu shot last week hurt ten times more. After that, I was completely relaxed. The worst "part", in my mind, was over.

Before I knew it, my husband was brought in the room. My anesthesiologist was giving us the play by play, and Ben & I were so excited when he said, "We're close! I see a bum!" Seconds later, my OB said, "Oh my god! Look at all that hair!" and then we heard the best sound in the entire world: Chloe Anne was screaming her tiny lungs out.

{welcome to the world, baby girl!!}





One of the OR nurses took Ben's camera when he was brought in the room, and was kind enough to take photos of Chloe minutes after she was born. The nurses gave Chloe to Ben, and he was able to hold her right beside me for the remainder of the surgery. Seeing her for the first time took my breath away. I couldn't stop smiling or staring at her.

Just as they were finishing the surgery, Ben was escorted to the PACU while Chloe was handed back to one of my OR nurses. As soon as they were finished with me and I was put on a gurney, my nurse handed Chloe to me & I got to hold her while I was wheeled into recovery at the PACU.

{in the PACU - our first family photo! I was extremely swollen from all the IV fluid's I'd been receiving for the last few hours!}

We spent the next two hours in the PACU before being transferred to my postpartum room. My parents and sister, and Ben's mom, were able to visit us in recovery to meet our daughter.

My nurses had me up and walking within 6 hours after surgery. The next morning, I was unhooked from the IV and was able to get up & walk on my own.

And now, on to the fun part: Lots of Chloe pictures!!

{three hours old}

{Chloe loves her boppy!}

{Chloe looks just like her daddy!}


{the cutest little lamb}


{back story: my 4 year old cousin, vinny, thinks that he is a super hero. he never leaves his house without his cape on! he came to visit us shortly after chloe was born, and brought her her very own cape!!! now they can be super hero's together!}


{Chloe meeting her Aunt Jes for the first time!}
I am so, so, SO happy that my sister was able to come home from DC for the weekend to meet her niece. Chloe & I love skyping with Aunt Jes :)


{me & my peanut on her birthday}


{teeny tiny baby feet}


{her hospital photo}

It's hard for us to imagine life without Chloe. The three of us are doing great, and are really enjoying our time at home together. Ben will be home with us for three weeks, and I couldn't ask for a better husband or father. I am so blessed that he is able to stay home with us for so long. My husband has been doing an incredible job with taking care of the house and helping me during my recovery. I'm 7 days postpartum and I feel really great -- not quite 100%, but on my way there!

Thank you, everyone, for all the sweet words & support. We are so blessed so have such a healthy and beautiful baby girl home with us. I couldn't be more in love!!

XOXO